Alkylsteroids

Alkylsteroids constitute an important class of steroid compounds containing additional alkyl groups compared with natural hormones. The introduction of alkyl groups enhances the physiological activity and narrows the spectrum of the biological activity of steroids. Furthermore alkylsteroids are of interest for the stereochemistry of the reactions which take place with participation of condensed alicyclic systems. The methods for the direct introduction of alkyl groups based on the reactions of steroids ketones and epoxides are described. The bibliography includes 255 references.