Synthesis of methyl ether of (±)-14β-D-homoestrone

1. By starting with the 3-methyl ether of 14α-hydroxy-D-homoestra-17aβ-diol we obtained the methyl ether of 14β-D-homoestrone in five steps. 2. When the 17aβ-OH group is present the catalytic hydrogenation of the 14(15)-double bond in D-homosteroids leads to the 14β-isomers, and to the 14α-isomers when the 17a-CO group is present.