Question

Betamethasone is a synthetic anti-inflammatory steroid used as a topical cream for itching. Betamethasone is derived from cortisol, with the following structural additions: a C=C between C1 and C2, a fluorine at C9, and a methyl group at C16. The configuration at C9 is R, and the configuration at C16 is S. Draw the structure of betamethasone.

Short answer

Answer

Step-by-step solution

Steroid

Each steroid is different in terms of the position and nature of the groups linked to them. The biological activity of a particular steroid exhibits huge variation due to a slight variation in the steroid structure.

Betamethasonea

Betamethasone constitutes a steroid medication employed for several diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, dermatitis, etc. Some side effects of the medication include muscle weakness and psychosis.

Structure of betamethasone from the given information

The structure of betamethasone comprises a double bond between the first and second carbon atoms. The fluorine group is connected to the ninth carbon atom, and a methyl group is connected to the sixteenth carbon atom. The configuration of the ninth and sixteenth carbon atoms are R and S, respectively.

The structure of betamethasone can be given as:

Structure of betamethasone