Synthesis and stereochemistry of 2-arylperhydrocyclopenta[b]pyridin-1-ols, 8-azaestrone fragments

Different stereoisomers of 2-arylperhydrocyclopenta[b]pyridin-1-ols, which form structural motifs of 8-azaestrone, were prepared via reductive cyclization from mono-oximes derived from 1,5-diketones, by using sodium borohydride and acetic acid in THF at reflux.