Norgestrienone(Ⅰ_a)was prepared by partial synthesis either from X through the following sequence of reactions:ⅩⅠ→Ⅸ→Ⅶ_a→Ⅳ_a→Ⅶ_a→Ⅷ_a→ⅩⅣ_a→Ⅰ_a,or directly from Ⅳ_a to ⅩⅣ_a by selective ethynylation.dl-18-Methyl-norgestrienone(Ⅰ_b)was prepared by total synthesis from Ⅷb according to the reaction sequence similar to that of norgestrienone,i.e.,Ⅸ_b→Ⅶ_b→Ⅳ_b,ⅩⅡ_b→ⅩⅢ_b→ⅩⅣ_b→Ⅰ_b.Furthermore,ⅩⅡ_b can be obtained directly from ⅠⅩ_b,by hydrogen ohloride treatment in absolute methanol.