Abstract: A process is described wherein, by employing 17?-(3-hydroxypropyl)-6?,7?;15?,16?-dimethylene-5?-androstane-3?,5,17?-triol (II) as starting product, in a single stage reaction there is obtained drospirenone, (I), a synthetic steroid with progestogenic, antimineralocorticoid and antiandrogenic action, that is useful for preparing pharmaceutical compositions with contraceptive action.

Abstract: A process is disclosed wherein, using either 17a-(3-hydroxypropyl)-6p,7p;15p,16p-dimethylene-5p-androstane-3p,5,17p-triol (II) or 3?,5^ïI^?^-6?,7?;15?,16?-dimethylene-5?,17?-pregnane-21,17-carbolactone (III) as starting material, through a single-step reaction it is obtained drospirenone (I), a synthetic steroid with progestogenic, antimineralocorticoid and antiandrogenic activity, useful for preparing pharmaceutical compositions with contraceptive action.

Abstract: A process is disclosed wherein, using either 17a-(3-hydroxypropyl)-6p,7p;15p,16p-dimethylene-5p-androstane-3p,5,17p-triol (II) or 3?,5?iI???-6?,7?;15?,16?-dimethylene-5?,17?-pregnane-21,17-carbolactone (III) as starting material, through a single-step reaction it is obtained drospirenone (I), a synthetic steroid with progestogenic, antimineralocorticoid and antiandrogenic activity, useful for preparing pharmaceutical compositions with contraceptive action.

Abstract: A process is described wherein, by employing 17?-(3-hydroxypropyl) -63,7?3;15?,16?-dimethylene-5?-androstane-3?,5,17?-triol (II) as starting product, in a single stage reaction there is obtained drospirenone, (I), whereby the reaction is achieved using gaseous oxygen as the stoichiometric oxidant in the presence of a catalytic system containing (i) TEMPO or a derivative thereof (ii) a ferric salt (Fe3+) and (iii) NaCl. The product drospirenone is a known synthetic steroid with progestogenic, antimineralocorticoid and antiandrogenic action, that is useful for preparing pharmaceutical compositions with contraceptive action.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are provided, wherein each of R1, R2, R3, R4, y, n, m, p, and Ar are as defined, and described in classes and subclasses herein, which are agonists or partial agonists of the 2C subtype of brain serotonin receptors. The compounds, and compositions containing the compounds, can be used to treat a variety of central nervous system disorders such as schizophrenia.