A short step synthesis of estradiol was presented. 1-Vinyl-6-methoxy-1-tetralol (I) was condensed with 2-methyl-1, 3-cyclopentanedione (II) in the presence of Triton B to give dl-3-methoxy-8,14-secoestra-l, 3, 5(10), 9-tetraene-14,17-dione (EH) which was converted by phosphorus pentoxide into the known dl-3-methoxyestra-1, 3, 5(10), 8,14-pentaen-17-one (IV). The ketone (IV) was treated with sodium borohydride in methanol, yielding dl-3-methoxyestra-l, 3, 5 (10), 8,14-pentaen-17[beta]-ol(V). Catalytic hydrogenation of this compound over Raney nickel was found to be stereospecific, yielding dl-3-me-thoxyestra-1, 3, 5(10), 8-tetraen-17[beta]-01(VI). This compound was subjected to K-NH3 reduction to give dl-estradiol 3-methyl ether (VII). Racemic V was resolved through its 17 l-methoxyacetate and d-estra-diol 3-methyl ether obtained by the above series of reactions was identical with the material of natural origin. dl-Equilenin 3-methyl ether was prepared from dl-3-methoxyestra-1, 3, 5(10), 8-tetraen-17[beta]-ol (VI) by oxidation with Jones'' reagent at one step.