A straightforward chemical synthesis of 17-ketosteroids by cleavage of the C-17-dihydroxy acetone side chain in corticosteroids.

A facile and convenient approach to 17-ketosteroids is described. Treatment of steroids containing the C-17-dihydroxy acetone side chain with an excess of sodium methoxide in dry 1,4-dioxane under reflux, affords high yields of the corresponding 17-ketosteroids that are recovered as pure products, without the need of further purification.