Conformational analysis3̄CXXIV: The conformation of ring A in the 4,4-dimethyl-3-androstanone system. The crystal structure of 4,4-dimethylandrostan-3-on-17β-yl benzoate

Molecular mechanics calculations indicate that the deformed chair and twisted-boat conformations are similar in energy for a 4,4-dimethyl-3-keto steroid. Earlier dipole moment work on such compounds is discussed. The crystal structure of 4,4-dimethylandrostan-3-on-17β-yl benzoate has been determined. The crystals are orthorhombic, P2₁2₁2₁, a = 17.096 (2), b = 22.136 (e), c = 6.217 (1) A. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined by least squares to R ? 0.039, R_XXX = 0.038, based on 2168 observed reflections. Ring A is shown to exist in a chair form, deformed as indicated by the calculations.