Efficient and selective microwave Oppenauer oxidation of sterol derivatives

Abstract An improved, fast, and accurate procedure for regioselective microwave Oppenauer oxidation of sterol derivatives is reported leading to the expected corresponding ketosterols in moderate to excellent isolated yields ranging from 58 to 81%. The influence of different parameters dealing with the nature of the solvent and of the Lewis acid/ketone couple used, the reaction temperature as well as the hydrolysis conditions were also investigated on the outcome of the reaction.