D-Secoestrone derivatives. VI. 17 beta-Benzyl-17 alpha-hydroxy-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-16-one.

The title molecule, C(26)H(30)O(3), shows a novel chemical rearrangement of the substituents at position 17, i.e. an alpha-orientation of the hydroxy group and a beta-orientation of the bulky benzyl moiety. The packing arrangement consists of coils formed by O(2)...O(3) hydrogen bonds along the c axis. The compound shows complete loss of oestrogenic activity, and neither does it exhibit an antagonistic effect.