Catalytic hydrogenation on Raney nickel of estra-1,3,5(10),8,14-pentaenes with sterically accessible double bonds

The catalytic hydrogenation of estra-1,3,5(10),8,14-pentaenes with sterically accessible double bonds in the presence of Raney nickel in 2-propanol at elevated pressure and at heating to 110–120°C resulted in prevailing formation of estrogens 8α-analogs alongside a considerable quantity of estra-5,7,9-trienes. Although the hydrogenation at 45–60°C provided a higher yield of estrogens 8α-analogs, the synthesis of steroids of this group gave better results at hydrogenation in a high purity benzene.