As part of an ongoing program to develop high affinity estrogenic ligands we have synthesized the 11 beta-vinyl, 11 beta-ethyl- and 1,11 beta-ethanoestradiols. Because the 1,11 beta-ethano-estradiol had not been previously reported in the literature, the investigation of its receptor binding characteristics would provide valuable insight into the effect of 1/11 beta-substitution. The data obtained in this study indicate that although significant estrogen receptor affinity is present for the 1,11 beta-ethano derivative, the RBA values, 5-22.4%, were far less than those observed (5-300-fold less) for the corresponding 11 beta-ethyl and 11 beta-vinyl estradiols and less than those for the 1-methyl and 11 beta-methyl estradiols. These results suggest that the orientation that the 11 beta-substituent must occupy is directed away from the A-ring and that substituents in the 1-11 pocket produce a detrimental effect on receptor interactions.