New efficient and totally stereoselective copper allylic benzoyloxylation of sterol derivatives

A new efficient and totally stereoselective copper allylic benzoyloxylation of sterol derivatives has been developed. This methodology has been successfully applied to the synthesis of 7α-hydroxy DHEA and 7α-hydroxy cholesterol in a two-step synthesis with high chemical yields (77% and 61% overall yield, respectively). A mechanistic rationale justifying the total stereoselectivity encountered has been proposed.

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