Abstract
Steroid compounds are widely distributed in nature and are challenging substrates for the synthesis of a wide variety of important biologically active molecules. These include the sex hormones, corticosteroids and mineralocorticoids hormones, bile acids, vitamin D derivatives, cardiotonic steroids, among others, that have shown great therapeutic value for a broad array of medical conditions. Due to their biological and synthetic relevance, several chemical processes for the preparation and/or functionalization of the steroid nucleus have been developed. In some of those processes, green chemistry principles have been incorporated, allowing significant advances in synthetic chemistry applied to steroid compounds. In this review, a selection of the most relevant applications of pharmaceutical green chemistry in steroid synthesis, using chemical methods will be presented. Special emphasis will be given to catalytic processes, specially involving the use of heterogeneous catalysts, microwave technologies and ionic liquids as solvents. This review is organized according to the reaction type that include oxidation and reduction reactions, protection/deprotection transformations, glycosylations, rearrangements, olefin methathesis, preparations of heterocycles using different strategies and miscellaneous reactions. Biocatalytic methods applied to steroid synthesis are out of the scope of this review.
Keywords: Alternative solvents, catalysis, green technologies, pharmaceutical green chemistry, steroids.
Graphical Abstract
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Green concepts' for modern organic synthesis
The 'green revolution', which is literally happening before our eyes and affects every aspect of life, also poses increasingly difficult challenges in the field of chemical synthesis. New solutions and ideas aimed at environmental protection while taking into account the principles of sustainable development are still desired. In this context, ...read more
Green Thermochemical Processes for Hydrogen Production: Circular Economy Approach
The Special Issue ?Green Thermochemical Processes for Hydrogen Production: Circular Economy Approach? welcomes research, review and mini-review papers focusing on the study and development of thermochemical processes for the valorization of byproducts, wastes, wastewaters and biomass to Hydrogen in a green and sustainable way. Processes driven by the supply from ...read more
Recent Advances on Green Catalysis and Drug Discovery
To save our loving ?Mother Nature? from the ever increasing chemical pollution scientists are continuously modifying their chemical processes to make them sustainable. As a result, last decade has shown a tremendous outburst in modifying organic transformations by following green credentials. Catalysts play an important role in organic transformations. Involvement ...read more
Related Books
Ionic Liquids: Eco-friendly Substitutes for Surface and Interface Applications
Graphene-based Carbocatalysts: Synthesis, Properties and Applications (Volume 2)
Graphene-based Carbocatalysts: Synthesis, Properties and Applications
Electrochemical Biosensors in Practice: Materials and Methods
Photophysics of Supramolecular Architectures
Advanced Physical Chemistry Practical Guide
77
2