Chlorination of 3beta-hydroxyl-5-Delta steroids with anhydrous ferric chloride.

Treatment of 3beta-hydroxyl-5-Delta steroids with anhydrous FeCl(3) in CH(2)Cl(2) afforded reasonable yields of the corresponding alkyl chlorides with a retention of configurations. The structures of the chlorine-exchanging products were determined by NMR and HRMS spectra. The absolute configurations were confirmed by X-ray crystal analysis of 3beta-chloro-androst-5-en-17-one. The generality and scope of the reaction were also investigated.