Synthesis of 6-Aryl-Substituted Cholesterol Derivatives from 3β-Acetoxy-6-iodocholest-5-ene and Arylboronic Acids Promoted by Palladium-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling.

3β-Acetoxy-6-iodocholest-5-ene was prepared with a convenient method from cholesterol and used as a key intermediate for the synthesis of 6-arylated cholesterol derivatives using a �Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling. This versatile and efficient synthesis way can widely be used in the synthesis of other 6-aryl or 6-heteroaryl steroids as potential drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]