Abstract: &ggr;-Phenyl-substituted &Dgr;-lactams are disclosed. They may be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions, and/or used in the treatment or prevention of inflammation or other conditions or disease states.

Abstract: Steroids containing a cyclohexene moiety are efficiently oxidized to the corresponding &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated ketone using copper iodide and t-butyl hydroperoxide. A steroid compound containing the &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated ketone structure is efficiently converted to the corresponding vicinal diol using a hydroborating reagent followed by oxidative workup, e.g., borane followed by sodium perborate. Benzoyl and substituted benzoyls are superior protecting groups for hydroxyl groups present in the compounds.

Abstract: Steroids containing a cyclohexene moiety are efficiently oxidized to the corresponding &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated ketone using copper iodide and t-butyl hydroperoxide. A steroid compound containing the &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated ketone structure is efficiently converted to the corresponding vicinal diol using a hydroborating reagent followed by oxidative workup, e.g., borane followed by sodium perborate. Benzoyl and substituted benzoyls are superior protecting groups for hydroxyl groups present in the compounds.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for reducing the emetogenic effects of PDE inhibitors, and more particularly is directed to compounds having PDE4 inhibition activity with little or no emetogenic side-effects, and chemical methods including benzylation for preparing such compounds. A benzyl group may be attached to either a carbon or nitrogen atom of a PDE4 inhibitor. Suitable benzylation chemistry is to extract a hydrogen from a PDE4 inhibitor, preferably with a base, and then react the resulting nucleophilic PDE4 inhibitor with a benzylating agent, e.g., benzyl bromide or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: &ggr;-Phenyl-substituted &Dgr;-lactams are disclosed. They may be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions, and/or used in the treatment or prevention of inflammation or other conditions or disease states.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for reducing the emetogenic effects of PDE inhibitors, and more particularly is directed to compounds having PDE4 inhibition activity with little or no emetogenic side-effects, and chemical methods including benzylation for preparing such compounds. A benzyl group may be attached to either a carbon or nitrogen atom of a PDE4 inhibitor. Suitable benzylation chemistry is to extract a hydrogen from a PDE4 inhibitor, preferably with a base, and then react the resulting nucleophilic PDE4 inhibitor with a benzylating agent, e.g., benzyl bromide or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: Steroids containing a cyclohexene moiety are efficiently oxidized to the corresponding &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated ketone using copper iodide and t-butyl hydroperoxide. A steroid compound containing the &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated ketone structure is efficiently converted to the corresponding vicinal diol using a hydroborating reagent followed by oxidative workup, e.g., borane followed by sodium perborate. Benzoyl and substituted benzoyls are superior protecting groups for hydroxyl groups present in the compounds.

Abstract: &ggr;-Phenyl-substituted &Dgr;-lactones and analogs thereof, including lactams, are disclosed. They may be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions, and/or used in the treatment or prevention of inflammation or other conditions or disease states.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for reducing the emetogenic effects of PDE inhibitors, and more particularly is directed to compounds having PDE4 inhibition activity with little or no emetogenic side-effects, and chemical methods including benzylation for preparing such compounds. A benzyl group may be attached to either a carbon or nitrogen atom of a PDE4 inhibitor. Suitable benzylation chemistry is to extract a hydrogen from a PDE4 inhibitor, preferably with a base, and then react the resulting nucleophilic PDE4 inhibitor with a benzylating agent, e.g., benzyl bromide or a derivative thereof.