A three-step synthesis of 16-methylene-17 alpha-hydroxypregna-1,4,9(11)- triene-3,20-dione, which has been previously obtained by microbial transformation, was achieved from 3 beta-hydroxy-16 alpha, 17-epoxy-16 beta-methyl-5 alpha-pregn-9(11)-en-20-one in an overall yield of 35%. All compounds involved in the process were characterized spectroscopically and their 13C NMR shielding effects are briefly discussed.