A new method for the oxidation of alkenes to enones. An efficient synthesis of Δ5-7-oxo steroids

Abstract
A variety of cycloalkenes were converted into α,β-unsaturated ketones using t-butyl hydroperoxide in the presence of chromium hexacarbonyl catalyst. The scope of the reaction has been partly investigated, and it was found that the allylic oxidation proceeds selectively in the presence of some secondary alcohols. High-yield conversions of steroidal 5,6-enes into the corresponding 5,6-en-7-ones are reported.