Simultaneously Rapid Deprotection of 3-acyloxy groups and reduction of D-ring ketones (nitrile) of steroids using DIBAL-H/NiCl 2

An efficient preparation of hydroxysteroids by a one-pot, simultaneously rapid deprotection of 3-acyloxy groups and reduction of D-ring ketones (nitrile) of steroids using DIBAL-H in the presence of NiCl 2 (10 mol %) is described. The attractive features of this procedure for the preparation of the hydroxysteroid derivatives are the mild reaction conditions, short reaction time, excellent yields, clean reaction profiles, and an inexpensive catalyst system.