Transition-Metal-Mediated or -Catalyzed Syntheses of Steroids and Steroid-Like Compounds

This short review aims to summarize recent advances in the use of transition-metal-catalyzed and -mediated methodology for the synthesis of steroid and steroid-like skeletons reported in the last decade. The methodologies used include transition-metal-catalyzed or -mediated [2+2+2] and other cycloadditions, the Pauson-Khand reaction, cross-coupling and Heck reactions, processes based on the activation of single and multiple bonds, metathesis reactions, hydrovinylation, and other reactions. Several examples of total syntheses of steroid compounds [e.g., (+)- and (-)-estrone, desogestrel] by these procedures are presented.