During the course of the synthesis of 18-methylestradiol 3-methyl ether, steric effect caused by the methyl group at 18-position was observed. It was found that ethylenediamine was a good solvent for the ethynylation reaction of the hindered ketone. Racemic and optically active 17β-hydroxy-13β, 17α-diethylgon-4-en-3-one were synthesized from 1-vinyl-6-methoxy-1-tetralol and 2-ethyl-1, 3-cyclopentanedion. The dextrorotatory diethylgonenone as well as the corresponding racemic diethylgonenone showed strong anabolic activities, whereas the levorotatory compound had no biological activity.