An Alternative Route to 2-Bromo-Estradiols and 2-Iodo-Estradiols From Estradiol

Abstract

Through careful choice of reaction conditions, alkylation of estradiol with chloromethyl methyl ether may yield either the 3,17β-bis(methoxymethy1) ether or the 3-methoxymethyl ether derivative. Treatment of either of these protected estradiols with s- butyllithium, then with trimethylsilyl chloride affords, regioselectively, the 2-trimethylsilyl derivatives which can conveniently be converted into 2-bromo-or 2-iodo-estradiol.