Lipase-catalysed deacetylation of androstane and pregnane derivatives: influence of ring D substitution

A series of acetoxy derivatives of androstane and pregnane was deacetylated in organic solvents by microbial lipases. The best results were obtained with lipase from Candida antarctica (CAL B), Candida rugosa (CRL) and Pseudomonas sp. (PSL). In some derivatives, CAL B and CRL showed a regioselective behaviour towards the removal of the 3β- or 16/16β-acetyl group. The results of the enzymatic deacetylation of pregnanes and androstanes substituted by various groups containing an sp²-hybridised C-atom in ring D could suggest that CAL B activity seems to be conditioned by the occurrence of a polar carbon double bond in this part of the steroid skeleton. Ten new steroid derivatives were obtained through this approach.