New synthesis of delta 6-estrogens

An efficient approach to synthesize delta 6-estrogens is described. The key steps in the synthesis are the introduction of a hydroxyl group at the C-6 position of a suitably protected estrogen using a superbase and subsequent dehydration with Martin sulfurane reagent or methyltriphenoxyphosphonium iodide. The two-step synthetic procedure readily gave the delta 6-estrogens in high yield.