A new approach to the synthesis of 3 beta, 23-diacetoxy-24-nor-5-cholene from 3 beta, 21-diacetoxy-5-pregnen-20-one

Synthesis of 3 beta, 23-diacetoxy-24-nor-5-cholene in six steps from 3 beta, 21-diacetoxy-5-pregnen-20-one has been achieved by a new approach. The method would allow to label the side chain of a bile acid at carbon-atom 21.