Solid-phase chemical synthesis and in vitro biological evaluation of novel 2β-piperazino-(20R)-5α-pregnane-3α,20-diol N-derivatives as anti-leukemic agents

► Regioselective dehydratation of epi-allopregnanolone using DAST reagent. ► New pregnane derivatives were prepared by solid-phase chemistry. ► Pregnane derivatives induces apoptosis of HL-60 cells.