[Synthesis of 2 beta-(4'-methyl-1'-piperazino)-3 alpha-hydroxyl-16,17- substituted-5 alpha-androstanes]

According to some studies, the vicinal amino-alcohol compounds of 5 alpha-androstane possess to a certain extent biological activities in cardiovascular system. In order to find new antiarrhythmic agents, seven new 2 beta-(4'-methyl-1'-piperazino)-3 alpha-hydroxyl-16, 17-substituted-5 alpha-androstanes were synthesized through 2 alpha,3 alpha-epoxyl-5 alpha-adrostan-17-one from epiandrosterone. Preliminary results of biological experiment showed that they possess to a different extent antiarrhythmic activities among which compounds VI, XI and XIV showed higher activities than others.