Expedited Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of steroidal ketones by microwave irradiation

Microwave (MW) assisted reactions are currently having considerable importance in the synthesis of organic compounds. Considering the remarkable application of Baeyer–Villiger (BV) reaction in the synthesis of natural products and steroid–peptide conjugates, we report here some of our findings of BV oxidation of carbonyl compounds with special reference to steroidal ketones under MW irradiation justifying its accelerating effect.

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► An efficient and rapid Bayer–Villiger oxidation of steroidal ketones has been developed under microwave irradiation.
► The BV oxidation developed does not require any catalysts and takes place just in presence of peracids.
► The reaction can be extended to non-steroidal ketones as well.