A biocatalytic hydroxylation-enabled unified approach to C19-hydroxylated steroids

Nat Commun. 2019 Jul 29;10(1):3378. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-11344-0.

Abstract

Steroidal C19-hydroxylation is pivotal to the synthesis of naturally occurring bioactive C19-OH steroids and 19-norsteroidal pharmaceuticals. However, realizing this transformation is proved to be challenging through either chemical or biological synthesis. Herein, we report a highly efficient method to synthesize 19-OH-cortexolone in 80% efficiency at the multi-gram scale. The obtained C19-OH-cortexolone can be readily transformed to various synthetically useful intermediates including the industrially valuable 19-OH-androstenedione, which can serve as a basis for synthesis of C19-functionalized steroids as well as 19-nor steroidal drugs. Using this biocatalytic C19-hydroxylation method, the unified synthesis of six C19-hydroxylated pregnanes is achieved in just 4 to 9 steps. In addition, the structure of sclerosteroid B is revised on the basis of our synthesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Androstenedione / chemistry*
  • Androstenedione / metabolism
  • Biocatalysis
  • Cortodoxone / chemistry*
  • Cortodoxone / metabolism
  • Hydroxylation
  • Models, Chemical
  • Molecular Structure
  • Pregnanes / chemistry*
  • Pregnanes / metabolism
  • Steroids / chemical synthesis
  • Steroids / chemistry*
  • Steroids / metabolism

Substances

  • Pregnanes
  • Steroids
  • Androstenedione
  • Cortodoxone