Steroids with a side chain containing a heterocyclic fragment: synthesis and transformations

The latest data on the methods for the formation of the side chains of steroids containing a heterocyclic fragment are surveyed and described systematically. Attention is concentrated on the methods for the transformation of heterocycles in order to achieve the stereoselective formation of chiral centres in the side chain characteristic of a series of natural polyhydroxysteroids – ecdysones, brassinosteroids, vitamin D metabolites, etc. The bibliography includes 133 references.