Synthesis of some 6 beta-acetylthio hydroxysteroids

The reactions of 3 beta-hydroxy-20-oxo-5-pregnene-16 alpha-carbonitrile, 3 beta-hydroxy-5-androsten-17-one, 3 beta-hydroxy-5-pregnen-20-one, and 5-cholesten-3 beta-ol with thioacetic acid in dioxane afford mainly 6 beta-acetylthio derivatives which were characterized by IR, NMR (1H, 13C), and mass spectroscopy. A similar reaction of 17 beta-hydroxy-1,4-androstadien-3-one yields chiefly the known 1 alpha-SCOCH3 derivative.