REACTION OF STEROIDS (INCLUDING 4-AZASTEROIDS) WITH A SILYLATING AGENT IN THE PRESENCE OF A QUINONE TO INTRODUCE A DELTA' DOUBLE BOND AND SILYLATED INTERMEDIATES

摘要

A process for dehydrogenating a compound of the formula CHEM CHEM which comprises reacting the compound with a silylating agent in the presence of a quinone to introduce a DELTA 1 double bond. Novel intermediates are compounds of the formula CHEM wherein: Q is absent or is CHEM where R4 is methyl, C1-8 straight or branched chain alkyl, C3-6 cycloalkyl, phenyl, or combinations thereof; and R14 is hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 straight or branched chain alkoxy, halo, nitro or cyano.