The synthesis and purification of 4‐[14C]‐ and 7α[3H]‐androsta‐4,16‐dien‐3‐one

Abstract
The synthesis of radioactive androsta‐4,16‐dien‐3‐one from both 4‐[14C]‐ and 7α‐[3 H]‐testosterone has been achieved using modifications of a method due to Henbest. Contrarily to this earlier report, yields of purified androstadienone were approximately 6%. Other compounds, which may be ring D isomers, have been separated by column chromatography on silicic acid impregnated with silver nitrate. Labelled 17‐epitestosterone acetate is also formed in this reaction, and may be readily isolated.