Steroids under voltage: unlocking reactivity with electrochemistry

<h2>Abstract</h2> Steroids are ubiquitous natural compounds that play essential physiological roles in both plants and animals. Owing to their diverse biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antiviral, and antimicrobial effects, steroidal compounds have found widespread therapeutic uses in the treatment of numerous clinical conditions. Unsurprisingly, the global steroid market is valued at approximately US$4 billion. Despite their broad impact in chemical research and the pharmaceutical industry, the synthesis of steroids remains challenging due to the structural complexity and limited availability of efficient synthetic methodologies. This review highlights recent advances in electrochemically enabled approaches for steroid activation and functionalization, aiming to inspire innovative and sustainable strategies for steroid manipulation and production.