Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Facile Preparation of (2Z,4E)-Dienamides by the Olefination of Electron-deficient Alkenes with Allyl Acetate
Published on: June 21, 2017
Steroid dimer formation: metal reduction of methyl androst-4-ene-3, 17-dion-19-oate
J F Templeton1, H Majgier-Baranowska, K Marat
1Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. templeto@ms.umanitoba
Abstract:
Two isomeric dimeric steroids, 3,3'-bis(methyl 3-hydroxyandrost-4-en-17-on-19-oate-3-yl), with symmetrical (alpha, alpha') and unsymmetrical structures (alpha,beta'), have been obtained by reduction of methyl androst-4-ene-3,17-dion-19-oate with zinc in aqueous acetic acid together with the major products, the isomeric methyl 5alpha- and 5beta-androst-3-en-17-on-19-oates. The structures of the dimers and unsaturated products are supported by spectroscopic methods. The symmetrical dimer was also obtained from treatment of the 4-en-3-on-19-oate ester with lithium in ammonia.
Related Concept Videos
Oxymercuration-Reduction of Alkenes
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Osmium Tetraoxide
Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
Alcohols from Carbonyl Compounds: Reduction
Catalytic hydrogenation is similar to the reduction of an alkene or alkyne by adding H2 across the pi bond in the presence of transition metal catalysts like Raney Ni, Pd–C, Pt, or Ru. Aldehydes and ketones can be reduced by this method, often under mild to moderate heat (25–100°C) and...
Esters to Alcohols: Hydride Reductions
Lithium aluminum hydride is a source of hydride ions and functions as a nucleophile. The mechanism proceeds in three steps. Firstly, the nucleophilic hydride ion attacks the carbonyl carbon of the ester to form a tetrahedral intermediate. Subsequently, the carbonyl group re-forms,...
Alkylation of β-Diester Enolates: Malonic Ester Synthesis

