Synthesis of 7 alpha- and 7 beta-carboxymethyl-9(11)-ene derivatives of estrone and estradiol.

As part of a search for derivatives designed to conjugate to amino groups, either of a protein carrier for antibody production or of an immobilized side-chain on a polymer for affinity chromatography, functionalized estrone and estradiol analogues were prepared. These modified steroids were obtained via the introduction of a carboxymethyl side-chain at the C-7 alpha and C-7 beta position on an adrenosterone derivative and were then aromatized on the A ring. These new compounds are unsaturated at the C-9 (11) position, which could be useful for a second modification.