Synthesis of 17β-Hydroxy Steroidal Oxalate Dimers from Naturally Occurring Steroids

Lutfun Nahar^a,*, Satyajit D. Sarker^b and Alan B. Turner^a
a Japp Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, Scotland, UK
^b School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster at Coleraine, Cromore Road, Coleraine BT52 1SA,Co. Londonderry, Northern Ireland, UK
* Corresponding author: Tutu Villa, 3 Glenkeen Hollow, Coleraine BT51 4EN, N. Ireland, UK.
E-mails: l.nahar@ulster.ac.uk; lnahar2003@yahoo.co.uk

Abstract
Three new symmetrical steroidal oxalate dimers (2, 4 and 6) were synthesised from naturally occurring 17β-hydroxysteroids,
namely, testosterone (1), 5α-androst-2-en-17β-ol (3) and 3-oxo-5α-androstan-17β-ol (5), using oxalyl chloride in
the presence of pyridine.

Keywords: Steroid, oxalyl chloride, esterification, oxalate dimers, NMR.