Synthesis and photolysis of doxyl derivatives of 5β-androstan-3-ones

In an unsuccessful attempt to effect remote functionalization at C9, 4,4-dimethyloxazolidine-N-oxyl (doxyl) derivatives at C3 of 5β-androstan-3,17-dione and 5β-androstan-17β-ol-3-one were prepared and photolyzed. The former doxyl yielded its C13 stereoisomer; the latter was converted very slowly to intractable material.