Abstract: The invention relates to antiinflammatory compounds of the formula (I), ##STR1## wherein A stands for hydrogen, hydroxyl or trifluoroacetoxy group;X stands for hydrogen or halogen with the proviso that if A is hydrogen, then X also means hydrogen;R stands for hydrogen, benzoyl or C.sub.1-8 alkanoyl group; andrepresents a single or double bond between two adjacent carbon atoms,as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds and a process for their preparation.

Abstract: The invention relates to antiinflammatory compounds of the formula (I), ##STR1## wherein A stands for hydrogen or hydroxyl group;X stands for hydrogen or halogen with the proviso that if A is hydrogen, then X also means hydrogen;R stands for hydrogen, benzoyl or C.sub.1-8 alkanoyl group;R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, which are the same or different, stand for hydrogen or a C.sub.1-4 alkyl group; or one of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 is hydrogen and the other is phenyl group; or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together form a C.sub.4-5 alkylene group;means a single or double bond between two adjacent carbon atoms,as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds and a process for their preparation.

Abstract: New .DELTA..sup.1,3,5 -3-chloro-pregnane derivatives of the general formula (I), ##STR1## wherein X is hydrogen atom, acetyl group or a chloroacetyl group, andY and Z represent hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, with the proviso that at least one of them is other than hydrogen,are prepared by reacting a .DELTA..sup.1,4 -3-oxo-pregnane derivative of the general formula (II), ##STR2## wherein X' is acetyl group or a chloroacetyl group and Y and Z are as defined above, with a chloromethyleneiminium salt of the general formula (III), ##STR3## wherein A.sup.(-) is a salt-forming anion, in an aprotic solvent in the presence of a tertiary base, and, if desired, subjecting the resulting product to hydrolysis.The compounds of the general formula (I) exert antiphlogistic effects and can be used in the therapy for the treatment of inflammations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of pregnane derivatives of formula I, ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 stands for a methyl or an ethyl group,R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, andX is a hydrogen atom or a formyl or acetyl group, and the bond indicated by a dotted and a continuous line stands for a single or a double bond between the two neighboring carbon atoms.According to the invention a trifluoroacetate ester of formula II, ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are as defined above, is reacted with formic acid or acetic acid in the presence of a catalytic amount of a mercury salt in a dipolar proton-free or basic solvent. The formyl or acetyl group being in the place of X can be split off in a way known per se.The process provides a novel advantageous method for building up the pregnane side chain characteristic of corticoids.