Abstract: An enzymatic process employing pancreatin or choelsterol esterase for resolution of racemates of 4-aryl-2-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid esters of general formula I ##STR1## in which X represents a carbon-carbon bond or an oxygen atom,R.sub.1 means a hydrocarbon radical optionally substituted by hydroxy groups, oxo groups and/or halogen atoms and/or interrupted by nitrogen atoms with at most 16 carbon atoms,R.sub.2 symbolizes an alkyl group with up to 4 carbon atoms andR.sub.3 represents an alkyl group with at most 6 carbon atoms is described.

Abstract: A process for production of 15-alpha-hydroxyprostaglandin intermediates of formula I ##STR1## wherein X is CH.sub.2,A is trans --CH.dbd.CH--B is ethylenedioxy or 2,2-dimethylpropylenedioxy,R.sub.1 is benzoyl, andR.sub.2 is ##STR2## by treating a ketone of formula II ##STR3## wherein A, B, X, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 have the meanings indicated above, with a culture of Candida solani (NCYC 41) and isolating the resulting 15-alpha-hydroxyprostaglandin intermediate.

Abstract: A process is claimed for the preparation of 1-methyl-1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione characterized by fermenting 1-methyl-5.alpha.-androst-1-ene-3,17-dione (metenolone) with a microorganism culture of the genera Nocardia, Mycobacterium, or Fusarium.

Abstract: The invention relates to the 1.beta., 15.alpha.-dihydroxy-1.alpha.-methyl-5.alpha.-androstane-3,17-dione of formula I ##STR1## and preparation thereof using microorganisms of the genera Glomerella or Fusarium. The invention also relates to further processing of the compound of formula I to obtain pharmacologically effective steroids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of optically active (-)-oxabicyclo[3.3.0]octanolones of formula (-)-I ##STR1## wherein R is defined herein, comprising subjecting a racemic mixture of oxabicyclo[3.3.0]octanolone acylate to stereospecific acylate hydrolysis and separating the resultant products.

Abstract: A microbiological process for sterospecific monoketo reduction of racemic 3-keto-bicyclic carbacyclin intermediates to the corresponding optically active 30.alpha. hydroxy compounds is provided.

Abstract: Claimed is a process for the production of optically active bicyclo[3.3.0]octanedione-carboxylic acid esters of Formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 jointly represent an oxygen atom, orR.sub.1 and R.sub.2 individually represent the residue OR.sub.4 where R.sub.4 means methyl- or ethyl-, andR.sub.3 is a straight or branched-chain alkyl group of 1-3 carbon atoms,comprising enantioselectively saponifying and decarboxylating with .alpha.-chymotrypsin an optically inactive, prochiral bicyclo[3.3.0]octanedionedicarboxylic acid diester of Formula II ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 have the meanings set forth above, and recovering a compound of Formula I.

Abstract: 6.alpha.-methylhydrocortisones of Formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is alkanoyl of 2-6 carbon atoms or benzoyl andR.sub.2 is hydrogen or alkanoyl of 2-6 carbon atomshave valuable antiinflammatory properties.

Abstract: Process for the production of optically active (+)-bicyclo[3.3.0]octanol derivatives of formula (+)-I, in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 represent jointly an oxygen atom or the double-bond residue --O--X--O-- with X as a straight or branched-chain alkylene with 1-7 C-atoms, or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 represent separately the residue OR.sub.5 with R.sub.5 as a straight or branched-chain alkyl with 1-7 C-atoms, and R.sub.3 the residue COOZ with Z as a hydrogen atom, straight or branched chain alkyl with 1-7 C atoms, cycloalkyl with 3-6 C atoms, phenyl or aralkyl with 7-10 atoms or R.sub.3 is the residue --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --O--COR.sub.4 with n having the meaning 1-4 and R.sub.4 as a straight or branched-chain alkyl with 1-7 C atoms, cycloalkyl with 3-6 C atoms, phenyl or aralkyl with 7-10 C atoms. The process is characterized in that racemic 3.alpha.-cyloxy-cis-bicyclo[3.3.0]-octane derivatives of formula (+)-II, wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 R.sub.3 and R.sub.

Abstract: Indanyl compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine, is useful in the treatment of inflammatory and allergic diseases are prepared by fermenting indanyl compounds of the formula ##STR2## with a culture of Aspergillus niger or Polyporus tulipiferus.

Abstract: A process for preparing a 3.beta.,7.beta.-dihydroxy-.DELTA..sup.5 -steroid of the formula ##STR1## wherein Q is ##STR2## and R.sub.1 is hydrogen, trimethylacetyl, tert-butyldimethylsilyl, dimethyl-2-(3-methylbutyl)silyl or tribenzylsilyl, comprises fermenting a 3.beta.-hydroxy-.DELTA..sup.5 -steroid of the formula ##STR3## wherein Q is as defined above, andR.sub.2 is hydrogen or alkanoyl of 2-6 carbon atoms, with a culture of Botryodiplodia malorum to obtain the corresponding 3.beta.,7.beta.-dihydroxy-.DELTA..sup.5 -steroid; and, optionally, reacting the resultant product with trimethylacetic anhydride, tert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride, dimethyl-2-(3-methylbutyl)silyl chloride, or tribenzylsilyl chloride.

Abstract: Estrane derivatives of the general formula I ##STR1## wherein one of the substituents X or Z signifies a hydrogen atom and the other together with Y represents a carbon-carbon bond, or wherein the substituents X and Z represent hydrogen atoms and Y represents an .alpha.-position hydroxy group or a .beta.-position alkyl group with up to 6 carbon atoms, are valuable intermediates for preparation of pharmacologically effective substances.

Abstract: 6.alpha.-Methylprednisolone derivatives of Formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is 1-oxoalkyl of 2-6 carbon atoms or benzoyl andR.sub.2 is 1-oxoalkyl of 2-6 carbon atoms, are pharmacologically efficacious compounds, e.g., as antiinflammatories.

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: 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: A process for preparing a 3.beta.,7.beta.-dihydroxy-.DELTA..sup.5 steroid of the formula ##STR1## wherein Q is ##STR2## and R.sub.1 is hydrogen, trimethylacetyl, tert-butyldimethylsilyl, dimethyl-2-(3-methylbutyl)silyl or tribenzylsilyl,comprises fermenting a 3.beta.-hydroxy-.DELTA..sup.5 -steroid of the formula ##STR3## wherein Q is as defined above, andR.sub.2 is hydrogen or alkanoyl of 2-6 carbon atoms,with a culture of Botryodiplodia malorum to obtain the corresponding 3.beta.,7.beta.-dihydroxy-.DELTA..sup.5 -steroid; and, optionally, reacting the resultant product with trimethylacetic anhydride, tert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride, dimethyl-2-(3-methylbutyl)silyl chloride, or tribenzylsilyl chloride.

Abstract: 11-Methylene-.DELTA..sup.15 -steroids of Formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen or acyl andR.sup.2 is ethynyl, chloroethynyl or propynyl,are distinguished by a strong progestational activity and exhibit only a very low androgenic side effect.

Abstract: A process for preparing an 11.beta.-hydroxy steroid of the formula ##STR1## wherein represents a single bond or a double bond;X is hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine or methyl; andV is methylene, ethylene, ethylidene or vinylidene;comprises fermenting an 11-deoxy steroid of the formula ##STR2## wherein , X and V are as defined above,R.sub.1 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-6 -alkyl; andR.sub.2 is C.sub.1-6 -alkyl;with a fungal culture of a genus Curvularia.

Abstract: Steroids of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are identical or different and each is hydrogen or the residue of an organic or inorganic acid,and for the esters (R.sub.1 or R.sub.2 is not H) capable of salt formation, the salts thereof, possess valuable pharmacoligical properties, e.g., good antiandrogenic activity with low progestational activity.

Abstract: Novel corticoid 17-thioacetals of the formula: ##STR1## wherein X is hydrogen, fluorine or methyl,R.sub.1 is hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, andR.sub.2 is hydrogen or the acyl group of a C.sub.1-16 - hydrocarbon carboxylic acid,have valuable medicinal properties, e.g., as antiinflammatories.