STUDIES ON LONG ACTING CONTRACEPTIVES: SYNTHESIS OF 17β-STEROID ESTERS

In an attempt to search for long acting contraceptive, five steroid esters (Ⅱ_θ～Ⅱ_o) of the norethisterone or norgestrel were prepared. The steroid and its corresponding acid were allowed to react in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide with 4-dimethylaminopyridine as catalyst, yields of the reaction were 60-80%. Study of the appropriate reaction conditions and identification of side products were also carried out.