Abstract Possible structural modifications for increasing the sensitivity of steroid ethers are discussed. 3-Methoxyestra-1, 3, 4 (10)-trien-17-one cyclic ethylene ketal and cyclic ethylene monothioketal suffer cleavage of the ketal ring on exposure to a combination of either lithium aluminum hydride and aluminum trichloride, or diborne and boron trifluoride. The resultant 17μ-(2-hydroxyethyl) ether and thioether have been ceonverted into a range of new ...