16-Dehydropregnenolone acetate

16-Dehydropregnenolone acetate (16-DPA) is a chemical compound used as an intermediate or synthon in the production of many semisynthetic steroids. As 7-ACA is for cephalosporins and 6-APA is for penicillins, 16-DPA is for steroids. While it is not easy to synthesize, it is a convenient intermediate which can be made from other more available materials, and which can then be modified to produce the desired target compound.
Upstream sources.
16-DPA can be produced from diosgenin in mexican yams or from solanidine in potatoes.
Downstream targets.
Compounds derived from 16-DPA include hydrocortisone, betamethasone, dexamethasone, beclometasone, fluticasone, and prednicarbate,
the first four of which appear on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines.