On reactions of spirostane sapogenins with benzeneseleninic anhydride

Direct dehydrogenation of spirostane sapogenins with benzeneseleninic anhydride/iodoxybenzene afforded the Δ22 derivatives in low yields. The reactions catalyzed by BF3/Et2O produced the 23-oxo-sapogenins in addition to their 22-oxo-23-spiro-isomers. The reactions of sapogenins with benzeneseleninic anhydride carried out in the presence of TiCl4 afforded products chlorinated at C23.