Homo- and heterogeneous Ru-based metathesis catalysts in cross-metathesis of 15-allylestrone-towards 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 inhibitors

The cross-metathesis of allylestrone with acrylic acid derivatives using homogeneous and heterogenized Ru-catalysts was evaluated for the synthesis of a new 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 inhibitor. Hoveyda-type catalyst containing an additional diethylamino group turned out to be comparably active as homogeneous Grubbs II catalyst after immobilization on an acidic ion exchange resin which greatly facilitated workup.