Aluminum chloride catalyzed reaction of 3o:, 5-cyclo-5o:-cholestan-2-one (I) with diazomethane furnishes 4o:, 5-cyclo-A-homo-5o:-cholestan-2-one (II). Hydrogenation of I! over Adams' catalyst in acetic acid followed by reoxidation affords 5-methyl-5p-choletan-2- one (V). Treatment of I! with phenyltrimethylammonium perbromide leads to skeletal rearrangement resulting in formation of the bromine-free ketone XI V and its monol? romo ...