An efficient one-pot synthesis of 5, 9-cyclo-1, 11-oxido-pregn-16-ene-3, 20-dione from 9-bromide-11-hydroxypregna-1, 4, 16-trien-3, 20-dione by two annulation reactions.

An efficient method to prepare 5, 9-cyclo-1, 11-oxido-pregn-16-ene-3, 20-dione in one pot was reported. Treatment of 9-bromide-11-hydroxypregna-1, 4, 16-trien-3, 20-dione with Raney Ni in absolute ethanol afforded 5, 9-cyclo-1, 11-oxido-pregn-16-ene-3, 20-dione by two annulation reactions in reasonable yield. The absolute configuration was also confirmed by X-ray crystal analysis.