One-pot synthesis of new A-ring fused steroidal pyridines

The preparation of pyridine rings fused to the 3,4-positions of the steroid nucleus is herein described. These new pyridine derivatives were prepared in good yields by the reaction of propargylamine with 17 beta-hydroxyandrost-4- en-3 -one, 17 alpha-methyl-17p-hydroxyandrost-4en-3-one, 17 beta-hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one catalyzed by Cu(II). The structure of 17 beta-hydroxy-5ene-androst-3-ene[3,4-b]pyridine was determined by X-ray analysis.