Abstract: Homologation of .alpha.,.beta.-polyene unsaturated aldehydes and ketones to form .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated aldehydes via epoxidation of the ketone or aldehyde and intermediates in this process such as .beta.,.gamma.-unsaturated polyene aldehydes.

Abstract: Asymmetric synthesis of optically active 3,7,11-trimethyl-dodecan-1-ol, an intermediate for producing optically active vitamin E, from isovaleraldehyde or prenal including intermediates in this synthesis.

Abstract: The intermediates and processes of this disclosure provide a new stereo-specific total synthesis of steroidal materials having known valuable pharmacological properties. A fundamental feature of this disclosure is the utilization of aryl ketals, preferably phenylenedioxy ketals derived from catechol as protective groups for oxo moieties in the polycyclic intermediates used in the aforesaid total synthesis.

Abstract: A multi-step, stereospecific total synthesis of steroids utilizing intermediates having a cyanoalkyl A-ring precursor is disclosed. The initial starting materials for this process are the relatively inexpensive and commercially available reagents .gamma.-butyrolactone and sodium cyanide. The process is suitable for the preparation of racemic or optically active, medicinally valuable steroids, particularly 19-norsteroids. It is a feature of this process that conditions employed during the multiple step synthesis are selected so as to retain the normally labile nitrile group even during hydrogenation and hydrolysis steps. In this manner, it is possible to employ the nitrile group as an A-ring precursor without resorting the protective groups as was heretofore found necessary in previous steroid total synthesis processes.

Abstract: A multi-step, stereospecific total synthesis of steroids utilizing intermediates having a cyanoalkyl A-ring precursor is disclosed. The initial starting materials for this process are the relatively inexpensive and commercially available reagents .gamma.-butyrolactone and sodium cyanide. The process is suitable for the preparation of racemic or optically active, medicinally valuable steroids, particularly 19-norsteroids. It is a feature of this process that conditions employed during the multiple step synthesis are selected so as to retain the normally labile nitrile group even during hydrogenation and hydrolysis steps. In this manner, it is possible to employ the nitrile group as an A-ring precursor without resorting to protective groups as was heretofore found necessary in previous steroid total synthesis processes.

Abstract: Stereo-specific total synthesis of steroidal materials. 7-Substituted 3-oxo-1-heptenes or variants thereof are reacted with 2-alkylcycloalkane-1,3-diones yielding 3-substituted 6a .beta.-alkyl-cyclopenta [f] [1] benzopyrans or naphtho [2,1-b] pyrans. These are then subjected to a selective catalytic hydrogenation followed by an introduction of a hydroxy, alkoxy or acyloxy group at the 4a-position to produce a 3-substituted 6a .beta.,4a-hydroxy, alkoxy or acyloxy perhydrocyclopenta [f] [1] benzopyran or perhydro-naphtho [2,1-b] pyran. These latter compounds are then converted into 4- or 5-(3-oxoalkyl)perhydroindene-5-ones or perhydronaphthalene-6-ones which in turn can be converted to known steroidal materials by known methods.

Abstract: The novel intermediates and processes of this invention provide a new synthetic route for the preparation of pharmaceutically valuable 19-nor-steroids. Further, the intermediates and processes of the invention provide a novel route for the preparation of pharmaceutically valuable estrones. The present invention provides a facile total synthesis of 13.beta.-alkyl-C/D-trans-steroidal materials. This desirable result is obtained via a unique asymmetric induction followed by subsequent stereo-specific reaction steps. As a precursor to the steroidal Ring A, a 3,5-disubstituted-4-isoxazolylmethylene group is employed in this synthesis.

Abstract: Vinyl ketones and Mannich-bases obtained therefrom are useful as intermediates in the total synthesis of steroids having valuable pharmacological properties. These compounds are prepared by the low temperature reaction of a vinyl Grignard e.g., vinyl magnesium chloride with substituted .gamma., .delta. or .epsilon. lactones followed, if desired, by reaction of the vinyl ketone obtained with a primary or secondary amine. Particular compounds prepared by this procedure include 2-(2-substituted aminoethyl)-6-substituted-2-hydroxy-tetrahydropyrans and the tautomers thereof.

Abstract: 6[(4-Isoxazolyl)-methyl]perhydro-1H-benz[e]indenes, useful for the preparation of pharmaceutically valuable 19-norsteroids and estranes by degradation of the isoxazolylmethylene moiety followed by cyclization, is disclosed.

Abstract: The intermediates and processes of this disclosure provide a new stereo-specific total synthesis of steroidal materials having known valuable pharmacological properties. A fundamental feature of this disclosure is the utilization of aryl ketals, preferably phenylenedioxy ketals derived from catechol as protective groups for oxo moieties in the polycyclic intermediates used in the aforesaid total synthesis.

Abstract: A multi-step, stereospecific total synthesis of steroids utilizing intermediates having a cyanoalkyl A-ring precursor is disclosed. The initial starting materials for this process are the relatively inexpensive and commercially available reagents .gamma.-butyrolactone and sodium cyanide. The process is suitable for the preparation of racemic or optically active, medicinally valuable steroids, particularly 19-norsteroids. It is a feature of this process that conditions employed during the multiple step synthesis are selected so as to retain the normally labile nitrile group even during hydrogenation and hydrolysis steps. In this manner, it is possible to employ the nitrile group as an A-ring precursor without resorting to protective groups as was heretofore found necessary in previous steroid total synthesis processes.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of vitamin A and esters thereof from the condensation of a sulfone of 2-methyl-4-hydroxy-but-2-ene and an activated derivative of 3-methyl-5-(2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohexen-1-yl)penta-2,4-diene including intermediates therein.

Abstract: The intermediates and processes of this disclosure provide a new stereo-specific total synthesis of steroidal materials having known valuable pharmacological properties. A fundamental feature of this diclosure is the utilization of aryl ketals, preferably phenylenedioxy ketals derived from catechol as protective groups for oxo moieties in the polycyclic intermediates used in the aforesaid total synthesis.

Abstract: The intermediates and processes of this disclosure provide a new stereo-specific total synthesis of steroidal materials having known valuable pharmacological properties. A fundamental feature of this disclosure is the utilization of aryl ketals, preferably phenylenedioxy ketals derived from catechol as protective groups for oxo moieties in the polycyclic intermediates used in the aforesaid total synthesis.

Abstract: The intermediates and processes of this disclosure provide a new stereo-specific total synthesis of steroidal materials having known valuable pharmacological properties. A fundamental feature of this disclosure is the utilization of aryl ketals, preferably phenylenedioxy ketals derived from catechol as protective groups for oxo moieties in the polycyclic intermediates used in the aforesaid total synthesis.

Abstract: The intermediates and processes of this disclosure provide a new stereo-specific total synthesis of steroidal materials having known valuable pharmacological properties. A fundamental feature of this disclosure is the utilization of aryl ketals, preferably phenylenedioxy ketals derived from catechol as protective groups for oxo moieties in the polycyclic intermediates used in the aforesaid total snythesis.

Abstract: The (6-hydroxy-chroman-2-yl) acetic or carboxylic acid derivatives useful as antioxidants and a method for preparing these derivatives from hydroquinones and intermediates in this synthesis as well as the use of these derivatives as intermediates in the preparation of optically active alpha-tocopherol.

Abstract: A multi-step, stereospecific total synthesis of steroids is disclosed. The starting materials for this process are the relatively inexpensive and readily available m-alkoxy acetophenones. The process is suitable for the preparation of racemic or optically active, medicinally valuable steroids, particularly A-ring aromatic steroids. This process features an early optical resolution and a unique asymmetric induction which insures the correct stereochemistry of the final steroidal product.