Synthesis of Compounds Related to Steroids. Reactions of β‐Methyltricarballylic Acid Anhydride with Benzene and Naphthalene

Abstract

Abstract β‐Methyltricarballylic acid anhydride (I) undergoes an efficient three‐step reaction sequence whereby it is transformed into known intermediates useful in the synthesis of aromatic steroids. Experiments are described in the benzene series leading to the preparation of the tetralone derivative (VIIa), and in the naphthalene series giving the tetrahydrophenanthrene acids (XV) and (XIII).