The photochemical hypoiodination of cortisol acetonide, without neutralization of the excess of acidity during the work-up of the reaction, led to a mixture of 11 beta,18-oxido-17 alpha,21-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3,20-dione and 11 beta,19-oxido-17 alpha,21-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3,20-dione. Side chain cleavage of the former compound gave 11 beta,18-oxido-4-androsten-3,17-dione. The crystal structures of both of these 11 beta,18-oxidosteroids were determined by X-ray. The ring conformations are discussed and compared with those of aldosterone.
