Steroid derivatives and process for preparing the same

A process for preparing a steroid derivative represented by the formula ##STR9## wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen or a protecting group for hydroxyl radical and R.sup.2 is ##STR10## in which R.sup.3 is hydrogen or a protecting group for hydroxyl radical, which comproses a method selected from the class consisting of:

• (1) reacting a compound represented by the formula ##STR11## wherein R.sup.4 is a protecting group for hydroxy radical, with an acid selected from the group consisting of phosphorus oxychloride, thionyl chloride, methane sulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, methane sulfonylchloride, p-toluenesulfonyl chloride, phosphoric anhydride and sulfuric acid;
• and, optionally, hydrolyzing the product;
• (2) reacting a compound represented by the formula ##STR12## wherein R.sup.4 is as defined above, with methanesulfonyl chloride or p-toluenesulfonyl chloride, heating the product to subject it to eliminating reaction and, optionally, hydrolyzing the product;
• or
• (3) reacting a compound represented by the formula ##STR13## wherein R.sup.4 is as defined above, with an acid selected from the group consisting of phosphorus oxychloride, thionyl chloride, methane sulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, methane sulfonylchloride, p-toluenesulfonyl chloride, phosphoric anhydride and sulfuric acid;
• reacting the resulting compound represented by the formula ##STR14## wherein R.sup.4 is as defined above with a mercuric salt, reducing the resulting compound with an alkali metal borohydride and, optionally, hydrolyzing the product.