title: A new efficient synthetic method for 2- and 4-hydroxy-17 alpha-ethynylestradiol.
abstract: The reaction of ethyl magnesium bromide and 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol with formaldehyde in the presence of triethyl phosphate or hexamethylphosphoramide gave the 2- and 4-formyl-17 alpha-ethynylestradiol in high yield. Treatment of the formyl derivatives with an alkaline solution of hydrogen peroxide in tetrahydrofuran afforded the corresponding catechols in almost quantitative yield. This new synthetic method was far superior to other methods, especially concerning simplicity, selectivity, and high yields.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Sichuan University, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Q Y
authors.initials: QY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D004958:Estradiol; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D005557:Formaldehyde; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009942:Organometallic Compounds
chemical_list: D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D005557:Formaldehyde; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D004958:Estradiol; C005933:2-hydroxyethynylestradiol; C005934:4-hydroxyethynylestradiol; C067783:ethyl magnesium bromide; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide