A Simple Efficient Process for the Synthesis of 16-Dehydropregnenolone Acetate(16-Dpa)–A Key Steroid Drug Intermediate from Diosgenin

A three step efficient synthesis for the commercial production of 16-dehydropregnenolone acetate (16-DPA)-a potent steroid drug intermediate, from diosgenin, in an overall yield of 60%, has been developed, through generation of acetylonium ion (CH3C+=O) in optimum concentration from acetic anhydride using in the molar ratio of 1:3.5(diosgenin:Ac2O) in a pressure reactor in a medium of a hydrocarbon solvent at a temperature in the range of 200oC with the corresponding in-built pressure of 5-6kg/cm2 (Step 1) and an ultra sound irradiated (35 KHz) oxidation reaction (Step 2).