A simple synthesis of 11,19-oxidosteroids.

The photochemical hypoiodination of cortisol acetonide gave a mixture of 18-iodocortisol acetonide and of the 11 beta,19-oxidoderivative. The proportion of the two products was slightly modified by the reaction temperature. Deprotection of the acetonide group of the 11 beta,19-oxidoderivative gave 11 beta,19-oxido-17 alpha,21-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3,20-dione which led to the formation of 11 beta,19-oxido-4-androsten-3,17-dione upon treatment with sodium bismutate.