A facile total synthesis of ent-17β-estradiol and structurally related analogues

A facile six-step synthesis (15.2% yield) of ent-17β-estradiol from readily accessible precursors is described. The preparation of analogues with 2-alkyl substituents, double bond unsaturation in the C-ring, a cis C,D-ring fusion and modified substituents at C17 is also reported.