Efficient trans-diaxial hydroxylation of Δ5-steroids

A convenient, fast, and high-yielding process to synthesize 5α,6β-dihydroxysteroids directly from the correspondent Δ5-steroids is reported. The reaction protocol consists in the conjugation of a readily available and stable oxidant, magnesium bis(monoperoxyphthalate) hexahydrate, with the non-toxic bismuth(III) triflate in acetone to afford the trans-diaxial hydroxylation product in a stepwise manner and in excellent yields.