Nickel-catalysed conjugate addition of trimethylaluminium to 3-Oxo-Δ⁴-steroids

Abstract

Nickel-catalysed addition of trimethylaluminium to 3-oxo-Δ⁴-steroids (cholest-4-en-3-one, testosterone propionate and progesterone) in ether gives the corresponding 5β-methyl saturated ketones in moderate yields. Lithium dimethylcuprate gives similar results.