The oxidation of corticosteroids with sodium bismuthate

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Abstract
Six corticosteroids representing 5 different side-chain types were treated with Na bismuthate in 50% acetic acid. Five compounds were oxidized in excellent yields, while a 17-hydroxy-20-ketone remained unchanged. An analytical procedure was developed based on the estimation of formaldehyde and/or 17-ketosteroids following oxidation of corticosteroids with Na bismuthate. The method was applied to a urinary extract to which 17 alpha: 20 beta: 21-trihydroxypregn-4-en-3-one (III) was added: reasonable recoveries of formaldehyde and 17-ketosteroid formed from III were obtained.