Functional group interconversions, comparison

Ideally, the enthalpy of reaction between two small molecules possessing a pair of the functional groups mentioned above should be approximately equal to the enthalpy of reaction of the same formal reaction taking place on a steroid. For steroid interconversions requiring more than one formal reaction on the steroid skeleton, the enthalpies of reaction of the relevant small molecule conversions should be additive and approximately equal to the steroid enthalpy of reaction. In making these comparisons, we may assess the accuracy of the measured steroid enthalpies of formation. 

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