7α-alkylation, 7,7-bisalkylation,and reduction of the 20-oxo group of poststerone in reactions with alkyl halides in lithium–ammonia solution

Reactions of poststerone with methyl iodide, allyl bromide, and propargyl bromide in lithium–ammonia solution resulted in its completely stereoselective 7α-alkylation accompanied by reduction of the 20-oxo group with formation of equimolar amounts of 20R- and 20S-hydroxy derivatives. The reaction of poststerone with excess allyl bromide afforded 7,7-bis-allyl 20R- and 20S-alcohols at a ratio of 3: 1. The reduction of the 20-oxo group in the alkylation of poststerone with excess propargyl bromide led to the formation of an equimolar mixture of Δ⁸⁽¹⁴⁾- and Δ⁸⁽⁹⁾-isomers with exclusive S configuration of C²⁰.