MICROBIOLOGICAL HYDROXYLATION OF 6α-METHYL-17α-HYDROXY PROGESTERONE AND 6α-METHYL-17α-HYDROXY-11-DEOXY-CORTICOSTERONE-21-ACETATE

6α-Methyl-11-deoxy-17α-hydroxy-corticosterone 21-acetate (Ⅱ) was transformed to compd Ⅵa and the new compd Ⅶa by Cunninghamella blakesleeana.Ⅵa was dehydrated to compd Ⅸa by p-toluensulfonic acid and transformed into a new compd Ⅷa by p-toluensulfonic acid in methanol Oxidizing compd Ⅶa with CrO₃, compd Ⅺa was obtained. Similarily 6α-methyl-17α-hydroxy progesterone was transformed into compd Ⅵb and a new compd Ⅶb. Ⅵb also was dehydrated to compd Ⅸb and methylated in p-toluenesulfonic acid-methanol to a new compd Ⅷb. Using Absidia orchidis instead of Cunninghamella blakesleeana, compd Ⅱ was transformed to 11α-hydroxy compd Ⅲ.The structures of new compds Ⅶa, Ⅶb, Ⅶa, Ⅶb and Ⅺb were determined by spectroscopic evidences and chemical correlations.