Abstract: 6,6-ethylene-15,16-methylene-3-oxo-17.alpha.-pregn-4-ene-21,17.alpha.-carbo lactones of general Formula I ##STR1## wherein ##STR2## is a CC-single of CC-double bond, R.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group,R.sub.2 is a methyl or ethyl group, and ##STR3## exhibit strong gestagen potency and an aldosterone-antagonistic activity.

Abstract: 17-haloethynyl steroids of the partial formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen or methyl,R.sub.2 is alkyl of 1-4 carbon atoms, acyl of 1-7 carbon atoms, trimethylsilyl, 2-tetrahydropyranyl, or nitrate,X is bromine or iodine, andV is methylene, ethylene, vinylene, ethylidene, vinylidene or cyclopropylene,can be prepared by treating an ethynyl steroid of the partial formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and V are as defined above, in an inert solvent with a brominating agent or an iodinating agent in the presence of a silver salt. Certain new compounds are also provided.

Abstract: Novel 7.alpha.-substituted 3-oxo-17.alpha.-pregn-4-ene-21,17-carbolactones of the formula ##STR1## wherein ##STR2## is a CC single or CC double bond or the group ##STR3## R.sup.7 is the group SR', R' being a hydrogen atom or a straight-chain or branched alkyl residue of 1-6 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxy or acyloxy group, the group COOR" or the group COR" wherein R" is an alkyl group of 1-4 carbon atoms and ##STR4## is a CC single bond or the group ##STR5## have antialdosterone activity with reduced endocrinological side effects.

Abstract: Compounds of Formula I ##STR1## wherein the bond is a single bond or a double bond,X is hydrogen, flourine, chlorine, or bromine,R.sub.1 is formyl, alkanoyl or alkoxyalkyl each of which contains 2-8 carbon atoms, or benzoyl, andY is chlorine, hydroxy, formyl, alkanoyloxy of 2-8 carbon atoms, or benzoyloxy,have valuable anti-inflammatory properties.

Abstract: A process for preparing bromine- or iodine-unlabeled or radioactively labeled 17.alpha.-bromoethynyl- and 17.alpha.-iodoethynyl-17.beta.-hydroxy steroids of the androstane and estrane series of the partial formula ##STR1## wherein is a single bond or a double bond,V is a carbon-carbon bond or a methylene group,R is hydrogen or methyl, andX is bromine or iodine,from corresponding 17.alpha.-ethynyl-17.beta.-hydroxy steroids, comprises treating the starting steroid in an inert solvent with a brominating agent or an iodinating agent in the presence of a silver salt.The process enables production of old and new compounds having value as pharmacologically active compounds and also as diagnostic agents when the iodine or bromine is radioactive.

Abstract: 17.alpha.-Pregn-4-ene-3-oxo-21-carboxylic acid esters of Formula I ##STR1## wherein C.sub.1 C.sub.2 is a CC single or C.dbd.C double bond,--A--B--is ##STR2## --C--D--is ##STR3## and R is an alkyl or alkenyl residue of up to 6 carbon atoms,in addition to antialdosterone activity, exhibit greatly reduced antiandrogenic and progestational side effects.

Abstract: New 15,16-methylene-17.alpha.-pregna-4,6-diene-21-carboxylic acid salts of formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each alone is hydrogen or together they form an additional CC bond or a methylene group,M is an alkali metal,and the methylene group in the 15,16 position is in the .alpha. or .beta. position, in addition to having a strong antialdosterone effect, have reduced antiandrogenic and progestogenic side effects.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is ##STR2## wherein R.sup.I and R.sup.II each independently is alkyl of 1-4 carbon atoms, or R.sup.I and R.sup.II together with the connecting N-atom form a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring whose remaining atoms are all C-atoms, or which also includes and additional N-atom, an additional O or S atom or a combination thereof; ##STR3## wherein R.sup.I and R.sup.II are as defined above; --SR.sup.III, wherein R.sup.III is methyl, ethyl or phenyl; or--OR.sup.IV, wherein R.sup.IV is methyl, ethyl, propyl, methoxymethyl, allyl, or .beta.-dimethylaminoethyl;R.sub.2 is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl; ##STR4## wherein the wavy lines mean that the substituent is in the .alpha.- or .beta.-position, and ##STR5## M is Na, K or Li; and R.sup.V, R.sup.VI, R.sup.VII and R.sup.VIII each independently is alkyl of 1-4 carbon atoms, have valuable pharmacological properties, e.g., a combination of antiprogestational and antimineralocorticordal effects.

Abstract: 7.alpha.-acylthio-1.alpha.,2.alpha.-methylene-3-oxo-17.alpha.-pregn-4-ene-2 1,17-carbolactones of Formula I ##STR1## wherein ##STR2## and R is a lower saturated acyl radical of 2 to 4 carbon atoms,have a stronger antialdosterone effect and lower side effects than spironoloctone.

Abstract: 7.alpha.-acylthio-15,16-methylene-3-oxo-17.alpha.-pregna-1,4-diene-21,17-ca rbolactones of the formula ##STR1## wherein the 15,16-methylene group can be in the .alpha.- or .beta.-configuration, andR is a lower alkyl residue,have altialdosterone activity.They are prepared from corresponding .DELTA..sup.4 -unsaturated compounds by chemical or microbiological 1,2-dehydrogenation.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns 5.beta.-hydroxy-.DELTA..sup.6 -steroids of the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen, acyl, lower alkyl, or the tetrahydropyranyl residue andR.sup.2, R.sup.3 individually are respectively hydrogen or jointly are methylene andX stands for oxygen, the groupings ##STR2## (wherein R.sup.4 means hydrogen or acyl) and ##STR3## (wherein R.sup.5 means hydrogen or lower alkyl) and a process for the preparation thereof by reacting corresponding 7.alpha.-chloro-5.beta.,6.beta.-epoxy steroids in an inert solvent with metallic zinc in a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid or dilute mineral acid at temperatures of between room temperature and 100.degree. C., preferably at 40.degree.-70.degree. C.The compounds producible by this method are intermediates for the preparation of 3-keto-.DELTA..sup.4 -6.beta.,7.beta.-methylene steroids constituting pharmacologically valuable compounds, for example aldosterone antagonists.

Abstract: 11.beta.-Chloro-.DELTA..sup.15 -steroids of Formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen or acyl andR.sup.2 is ethynyl, chloroethynyl, or propynyl have strong progestational activity.

Abstract: Novel 6.beta.,7.beta.-methylene-17.alpha.-pregn-4-ene-21,17-carbolactones of Formula I ##STR1## wherein R and R' each is hydrogen or jointly form a methylene group.These exhibit a good antimineralocorticoid effect with low side effects.

Abstract: Androstane derivatives of Formula I ##STR1## wherein ---- is a single bond or a double bond,R.sub.1 is methyl or ethyl,R.sup.2 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1-8 carbon atoms,--X-- is --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --, --CH.dbd.CH(CH.sub.2).sub.m --, or --C.tbd.C--(CH.sub.2).sub.m --wherein n is 2 to 6 and m is 1 to 4,--A--B-- is --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --, --CH.dbd.CH--, --CCl.dbd.CH--, ##STR2## --U--V< is --CH.sub.2 --CH<, --CH.dbd.C<, --C(OH).dbd.C<, or --CCl.dbd.C<, and--W--Y-- is --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --, --CH.sub.2 --C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 --, or ##STR3## with the proviso that the compound is not 17.alpha.-(3-acetoxypropyl)-17.beta.-hydroxy-4,6-androstadien-3-one, are pharmacologically efficacious compounds, e.g., are sebum suppressive.

Abstract: D-Homo-4,17-androstadien-3-one is a pharmacologically effective compound having antiandrogenic activity upon topical application. The compound can be prepared from D-homo-5,17-androstadien-3.beta.-ol by oxidation with simultaneous isomerization of the 5(6)-double bond.

Abstract: 7.alpha.-Alkoxycarbonyl-15.beta.,16.beta.-methylene-4-androstene compounds of Formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen or methyl,R.sup.2 is alkyl of 1-4 carbon atoms,X is ##STR2## and Y is carbonyl, andthe bond between the C-1 and C-2 carbon atoms is a single or double bond, orwhen the bond between the C-1 and C-2 carbon atoms is a single bond,X can also be ##STR3## when Y is ##STR4## possess valuable pharmacological properties, e.g., as aldosterone antagonists, i.e. they reverse the effect of deoxycorticosterone on the excretion of sodium and potassium.

Abstract: A process for preparing 6-methyl-.DELTA..sup.4,6 -3-keto steroids of the formula ##STR1## comprises reacting a corresponding .DELTA..sup.4 -3-keto steroid with methoxymethyl acetate (CH.sub.3 --O--CH.sub.2 --OAc) in an inert solvent at temperatures above room temperature in the presence of an alkali metal acetate.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 3.beta.,7.beta.,15.alpha.-trihydroxy-5-androsten-17-one and the 3,15-dipivalate thereof comprises epimerizing 3.beta.,7.alpha.,15.alpha.-trihydroxy-5-androsten-17-one in the presence of a ketone with or without a solvent, with dilute mineral acid and subsequent treatment with an organic base, and optionally subsequently esterifying the 3.beta.- and 15.alpha.-positions of the resultant 3.beta.,7.beta.,15.alpha.-triol with a reactive derivative of pivalic acid.

Abstract: Hydrocortisone derivatives of Formula I ##STR1## wherein is a single bond or a double bond,n is 1 or 2,R.sub.1 is hydrogen or methyl,R.sub.2 is alkyl of 1-6 carbon atoms, andR.sub.3 is hydrogen or 1-oxoalkyl (alkanoyl) of 2-6 carbon atoms,are pharmacologically active compounds, e.g., as antiinflammatories.

Abstract: Corticoids of Formula I ##STR1## wherein is a single bond or a double bond,X is hydrogen, fluorine, or chlorine,Y represents two hydrogen atoms or an oxygen atom, andZ is hydrogen or acyloxy of 2-6 carbon atoms, are pharmacologically active compounds, e.g., as anti-inflammatories.