Deoxypregnesolone-16-ene

Deoxypregnesolone-16-ene is a steroidal compound derived from the parent drug Deoxypregnesolone via the introduction of a double bond between carbon positions 16 and 17, concurrent with the removal of a hydroxyl group at C16. This structural modification disrupts the parent’s 17β-hydroxyl functionality, creating a conjugated enone system spanning C16–C20. The molecule retains a 3β-hydroxyl group and a Δ5(6) double bond in the A-ring, while the B-ring features a 16-ene substitution, altering its metabolic stability and polarity. It arises as a synthetic byproduct during oxidative steps in the parent drug’s production, specifically during C16 hydroxylation pathways. This compound serves as an HPLC reference standard for quantifying process-related impurities in Deoxypregnesolone formulations.