Abstract 2-Hydroxyestrone, 2-hydroxyestradiol-17β, 2-hydroxy-17α-ethyny1estradiol, 2- hydroxyestriol, 4-hydroxyestrone, 4-hydroxyestradiol-17β, 4-hydroxy-17α-ethynylestradiol and 4-hydroxyestriol are prepared on a preparative scale from the corresponding aminophenols using a new inverse oxidation procedure. By the synthesis described both the 2and 4-hydroxylated estrogens are available in high yields.
