Synthesis of 8β-methyltestololactone

The stereoselective synthesis of (+)-8β-methyltestololactone has been achieved in a thirteen-step process from (+)-O-15-methyl agathate. The synthetic strategy is the stereoselective construction of ring D by electrophilic cyclization induced by acids, and the appropriate modification of the A-ring diterpene functionality to the enone system common among steroidal hormones.