Microwave-assisted and light-induced catalytic ring opening of α-epoxyketones using DDQ

Effective and mild method for converting 3β-hydroxysteroids to 3-keto steroids via DDQ/TEMPO

A mild and efficient oxidation of 3β-hydroxysteroids to the corresponding 3-keto steroids can be carried out at room temperature, using DDQ in the presence of catalytic TEMPO. Oxidation of saturated 3β-hydroxysteroids gave the corresponding ketones in excellent yield. The 5-unsaturated 3β-hydroxysteroids are oxidized selectively to 4-en-3-one or 4,6-diene-3-one derivatives according to the amount of DDQ in reaction. This is a good method for the synthesis of 4,6-diene-3-one from the corresponding 3β-hydroxy-5-ene steroids. Meanwhile, configurations of the oxidation compounds 2a, 2b, 3b, 2c, 2f and 2g were identified by X-ray diffraction. A possible mechanism is presented and discussed.

Photoorganocatalysis. What for?

In the reactions reviewed, an organic molecule under irradiation catalyzes a chemical reaction. The activation is based either on hydrogen or on electron transfer. Commonly used photoorganocatalysts are aromatic ketones, quinones, heterocycles, dyes; intermediates formed are radicals, radical ions and ions from precursors such as alkanes, alkenes, amines, ethers etc. Oxidation (mainly oxygenation) and reduction processes are obtained along with the α-functionalization of amines and ketones, conjugate additions, cycloadditions etc. The key characteristic of the method is the smooth generation of highly reactive intermediates under mild conditions.