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.