Pd(PPh(3))(4)/AgOAc-catalyzed coupling of 17-steroidal triflates and alkynes: Highly efficient synthesis of D-ring unsaturated 17-alkynylsteroids

A novel and practical procedure was developed for the preparation of D-ring unsaturated 17-alkynyl steroids by Pd(PPh(3))(4)/AgOAc-catalyzed coupling of steroidal 17-triflates and alkynes. Firstly treatment of the steroid-17-ones with PhN(Tf)(2) and KHMDS in dried THF at -78 degrees C for 2h gives the corresponding steroidal 17-triflates products in high yields (97-98%), following the coupling of steroidal 17-triflates and various 1-alkynes by Pd(PPh(3))(4)/AgOAc-catalyzed in the presence of DIPEA for 24h to yield the desired D-ring unsaturated 17-alkynyl steroids (86-97%). Moreover, it was found that the coupling reaction catalyzed by Pd[(C(6)H(5))(3)P](4)/AgOAc system is selective for aryl triflates or vinyl triflates. By optimizing the reaction conditions, the sole C17-coupling products from steroidal bistriflates were obtained in satisfactory yields. Since D-ring unsaturated 17-alkynyl steroids with conjugated double and triplet bond can be subsequently converted into pentacyclic steroids and 17-oxosteroid derivatives at the side chain of D-ring, this general method provides a highly efficient route to these biologically important compounds.