Microwave promoted one-pot synthesis of novel A-ring fused steroidal dehydropiperazines

The preparation of ring-A fused steroidal dehydropiperazine at the 3,4-position is herein described. The novel steroidal dehydropiperazines were prepared from the annulation reaction of ethylenediamine with 3-keto-4-en steroids in a one-pot reaction under microwave irradiation. The key step involves base catalysed aerial oxidation of the C-6 methylene group followed by cyclocondensation of ethylenediamine via Michael addition reaction. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.