The possibility of abnormal steroid biosyntheses leading to in vivo formation of certain 14α- methyl steroids was discussed. In order to further evaluate this proposal, preparation of 14α- methyl steroids related to the androgenic hormones was undertaken. Initially, a thirteen-step degradation sequence was developed for converting isocholesterol (crude lanosterol) to 3- oxo-17β-hydroxy-4, 4, 14α-trimethyl-5α-androstane.
![1-[(3S,5S,8R,9S,10S,13R,14S,17S)-3-hydroxy-4,4,10,13,14-pentamethyl-2,3,5,6,7,8,9,11,12,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-17-yl]ethanone结构式](https://image.chemsrc.com/caspic/363/6610-85-1.png)
