Build a Steroid
Intermediate Compound #2
After several more steps, the chemist reaches another intermediate
compound (11-Dehydrocorticosterone, shown here). The chemist must be
precise to prevent any side reactions, which could result in
unwanted compounds. To verify that the correct intermediate compound
was produced, Percy Julian might have checked its melting point,
which is unique to each compound; today chemists use various forms
of spectroscopy.