JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL RESEARCH, sa.9, ss.525-527, 2010 (SCI-Expanded)
Ethanolysis of the epimeric androstane 4,5- and 5,6- epoxides catalysed by tetracyanoethylene is reported. In contrast to other reagents, these reactions involve the mild room temperature trans diaxial opening of the epoxides. The stereochemistry of three of the products was established by X-ray crystallography.