Conversion of 15α-hydroxy-11-oxo-progesterone to 3β,11α,15β-trihydroxy-5-pregnen-20-one

Abstract 3β,11α,15β-Trihydroxy-5-pregnen-20-one, an intermediate required for the synthesis of the oogoniols, has been prepared from 15α-hydroxy-11-oxo-progesterone in an overall yield of 16%. The three isomers (at C-11, C-15) of the pregnene were also prepared.