Abstract: A novel process for making estra-4,9(10)-diene-3,17-dione steroids from readily available 19-nor-androst-4-ene-3-one steroids by a straightforward three-step process. Products of this process are important intermediates in the preparation of biologically active substances.

Abstract: Compounds of formulaA(B).sub.x, (I),wherein x is an integer from 1 to 4, A is the radical of a chromophore of the quinacridone, anthraquinone, perylene, indigo, quinophthalone, isoindolinone, isoindoline, dioxazine, phthalocyanine or azo series, which radical contains x N-atoms attached to B, preferably with at least one directly adjacent or conjugated carbonyl group,B is a group of formula ##STR1## and, if x is 2,3 or 4, may also be one, two or three hydrogen atoms. The symbols Q, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, X, Y, Z, m und n, are as defined in claim 1.These carbamate group-containing soluble chromophores are distinguished by outstanding solid state fluorescence in the UV range as well as the by ease with which they can be converted to the corresponding pigments in the substrate in which they are incorporated.

Abstract: The unsaturated 17.alpha.-cyanomethyl-17.beta.-hydroxy steroids of the formula I, ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 =Me, Eth; R.sub.2 =H, Me; R.sub.3 =H, OH, an acetoxy or alkoxy group; R.sub.4 =H, R.sub.5 =OH, an acetoxy, alkoxy group of R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 together represent a keto- or ketal group and double bonds are contained in the basic structure of the steroid, particularly between the 15 and 16 position in the steroid ring, from unsaturated 17-ketosteroids of the general formula II as described herein with the aforementioned meanings of R.sub.1 to R.sub.5 by reacting the unsaturated 17-ketosteroids with LiCH.sub.2 CN and subsequently hydrolyzing.The compounds of formula I are pharmacologically interesting steroid compounds or also intermediate products for the synthesis of highly-effective steroid products which can be used in human and veterinary medicine for the treatment of endocrine disorders and for reproductive control based on their specific hormonal/anti-hormonal actions.

Abstract: The invention includes compounds of the following formula ##STR1## where A and B either A and B form an additional double bond and D is a hydrogen atom or B and D form an additional double bond and A is a hydrogen atom and the other variables are as defined in the specification. Also disclosed is a process of making the compounds and a process of using the compounds to make compounds of the following formula ##STR2## where the variables are defined in the specification. These compounds are useful as antigestigens.

Abstract: A 11.beta.-aryl-19-norprogesterone steroid of the formula: ##STR1## wherein (i) R.sup.1 is H, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.2-4 alkenyl, C.sub.2-4 alkynyl, OH, OC(O)CH.sub.3, or OC(O)R.sup.5, wherein R.sup.5 is C.sub.2-8 alkyl, C.sub.2-8 alkenyl, C.sub.2-8 alkynyl or aryl, R.sub.2 is H, R.sup.3 is H, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.2-4 alkenyl or C.sub.2-4 alkynyl, R.sup.4 is H, CH.sub.3, F or Cl, R.sup.6 is H, (CH.sub.3).sub.2 N, CH.sub.3 O, CH.sub.3 CO, CH.sub.3 S, CH.sub.3 SO, CH.sub.3 SO.sub.2, and X is O or NOCH.sub.3 ; or(ii) R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 taken together are a carbon-carbon bond and R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.6 and X are as defined above; or(iii) R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 taken together are --CH.sub.2 -- or --N.dbd.N--CH.sub.2 --, R.sup.2 is H and R.sup.4, R.sup.6 and X are as defined above; or(iv) R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 taken together are .dbd.CH.sub.2 and R.sup.1, R.sup.4, R.sup.6 and X are as defined above.