Abstract: An improved method is set out for converting a reactant having a reactant core portion, 5,7-androstadiene-1.alpha.,3.beta.-diol, into a product having a product core portion, 9,10-seco-5(10),6,8-androstatriene-1.alpha.,3.beta.-diol. The core portions have a group, R, attached at the 17 position wherein R is any group which does not significantly effect the absorption characteristics of the reactant core portion in a range from about 280 nm to about 310 nm. The reaction is carried out by irradiating the reactant with radiation restricted substantially solely to be in the range from about 280 nm to about 310 nm. The improvement of the invention comprises maintaining the temperature of the reactant, during the irradiating, below about 0.degree. C. and controlling the total doses of radiation to be such that (1) undesirable byproducts are not produced in an amount of more than about 15% and (2) at least about 60% of the product is produced based upon the quantity of the reactant consumed.

Abstract: A method for stereospecifically synthesizing a steroidal side chain is disclosed which provides high yield, and which may be utilized with a variety of steroidal starting materials including unprotected, unsaturated steroidal alcohols. The method includes providing a first steroid having an aliphatic chain attached by a carbon-carbon double bond and contacting the first steroid with an aliphatic adduct in the presence of a Lewis acid.

Abstract: Novel cycloadducts are provided which may be formed between furan and 2,5-dihydrothiophene-3,4-dicarboxylic anhydride at elevated pressure. One of these cycloadducts is useful in a synthesis of cantharidin. Another yields a novel isomeric cantharidin.

Abstract: Thebaine is converted to a mixture of codeinone and neopinone in aqueous formic acid solution containing as catalyst a mercuric salt. Thebaine is converted to a neopinone ketal by irradiation in an alkanol or to a mixture of neopinone and codeinone in an acidic aqueous solution. Neopinone ketals, codeinone and neopinone can be converted to codeine.