New analogs of D-homoequilenine with substituents in the D ring

Stereoselectivity of reaction with Raney nickel of D-homoestra-1,3,5(10),8,14-pentaenes containing one or two methyl groups in position 16 was investigated. The reaction direction is governed by the orientation of the substituent at C17a. The signals in the 1H and 13C NMR spectra of four synthesized compounds were completely assigned. Criteria for evaluation of the character of rings junction in analogs of D-homoequilenine were suggested. 16,16-Dimethyl-3-methoxy-D-homo-13α-estra-1,3,5(10),6,8-pentaen-17a-one was subjected to X-ray diffraction analysis.