In order to clarify the stereochemistry of hydrogen loss from C-2 in the 19-norsteroid during the placental aromatization the stereoselective synthesis of C-2 epimeric 2-deuterioestr-4- ene-3, 17-diones has been carried out. A key intermediate leading to the desired compounds, estr-2-ene-5βA, 17β-diol (VIII), was prepared from readily available 19- nortestosterone in several steps. Epoxidation with per-acid followed by trans-diaxial ...
