Steroid Reactions and Partial Syntheses

Section A Steroid Reactions 1 Alcohols and their Derivatives, Halides, and Epoxides 

Interest continues in the preparation and characterization of the 6/3-bromo-methyl- and 6/3-iodomethyl-cholest-5(10)-en-3/3-ols (4) and (5) respectively owing to the potential use of their radiohalogenated derivatives as adrenal scanning agents. The 6/8-bromomethyl compound (4) is conveniently prepared by 

Reviews on the use of DMSO in synthesis,1 functionalized polymers as heterogeneous reagents,2 methods of fluorination,3 and the application of the torsion angle notation in 5-, 6-, and 7-membered rings4 all contain steroidal examples. 

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The format of these Reports has remained relatively constant from year to year to facilitate the location of subject matter. However, this year two changes have occurred. Firstly, as an experiment, the information on biosynthesis is contained within the chapters dealing with the individual group of terpenoids rather than as a separate chapter. Secondly, the steroid section has been recast to minimize overlap. A report of the application of physical methods to steroids forms one chapter whilst steroid reactions and partial syntheses are reported in the second. Total synthesis will be reviewed biennially. 

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