Nickel-catalysed conjugate addition of trimethylaluminium to 3-Oxo-Δ4-steroids

Abstract

Nickel-catalysed addition of trimethylaluminium to 3-oxo-?4-steroids (cholest-4-en-3-one, testosterone propionate and progesterone) in ether gives the corresponding 5ß-methyl saturated ketones in moderate yields. Lithium dimethylcuprate gives similar results.