Two androsterone derivatives as inhibitors of androgen biosynthesis

The title compounds, (3R,5S,5′R,8R,9S,10S,13S,14S)‐10,13‐dimethyl‐5′‐(2‐methylpropyl)tetradecahydro‐6′H‐spirocyclopentaa]phenanthrene‐3,2′‐1,4]oxazinane]‐6′,17(2H)‐dione, C₂₆H₄₁NO₃, (I), and methyl (2R)‐2‐(3R,5S,8R,9S,10S,13S,14S)‐10,13‐dimethyl‐2′,17‐dioxohexadecahydro‐3′H‐spirocyclopentaa]phenanthrene‐3,5′‐1,3]oxazolidin‐3′‐yl]]‐4‐methylpentanoate, C₂₈H₄₃NO₅, (II), possess the typical steroid shape (A–D rings), but they differ in their extra E ring. The azalactone E ring in (I) shows a half‐chair conformation, while the carbamate E ring of (II) is planar. The orientation of the E‐ring substituent is clearly established and allows a rationalization of the biological results obtained with such androsterone derivatives.