| Abstract: | Total-Synthesis of (–)-Norgestrel (–)-Norgestrel ( 1a ) or (–)-norethindrone ( 1b ), two active progestational ingredients of currently used contraceptives have been synthesized stereoselectively. Compound 1a has been obtained starting from m-cresol methyl ether, dimethyl malonate, and (E)-1,4-dibromo-2-butene. The steroid skeleton has been constructed using an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of an o-quinodimethane derivative preceeded by a photo-enolization of an appropriate methyl-substituted acetophenone derivative. Chirality has been introduced at an early stage during an ScN′ reaction (cf. Scheme 1). Compound 1b has been obtained similarly using a previously reported mixture of the enantiomerically pure constitutional isomers 18b / 19b (cf. Scheme 3). |
