Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing 17?-acetoxy-6-methylenepregn-4-ene-3,20-dione (4) as an intermediate, and to processes for preparing medroxyprogesterone acetate (1) (17?-acetoxy-6?-methylpregn-4-ene-3,20-dione) and megestrol acetate (2) (17?-acetoxy-6-methylpregna-4,6-diene-3,20-dione) via this intermediate (4).

Abstract: Known pregnane derivatives are prepared by esterification of know androstane derivatives to give new esters of Formula III ##STR1## wherein in each case symbolizes a single bond or a double bond,n is 1 or 2,R.sub.1 is hydrogen or methyl,R.sub.2 is hydrogen or formyl, andR.sub.3 is chlorine, hydroxy or an alkanoyloxy group of up to 6 carbon atoms,and reaction of the latter with Ag(I) and formic acid.

Abstract: Estrane and androstane derivatives of formula I ##STR1## wherein X is bromine, iodine, triphenyltin or trialkyltin of 1 to 6 carbon atoms per alkyl radical,Y represents two hydrogen atoms or methylene,Z represents two hydrogen atoms, oxo or alkylenedioxy of 2 to 6 carbon atoms andV is ethylene, vinylene, 1,3-propylene or cyclopropylene,R.sub.1 is hydrogen or a hydrocarbon radical of up to 8 hydrocarbon atoms, optionally interrupted by an oxa group or substituted by an oxo group,R.sub.2 is methyl or ethyl,R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 represent a carbon-carbon bond or R.sub.3 is hydrogen and R.sub.4 is hydrogen or methyl,.DELTA.symbolizes a 4(5)-double bond if Z signifies two hydrogen atoms or an oxo group; or a 5(6)-double bond or, for the estrane derivatives of formula I, also a 5(10)-double bond, if Z is alkylenedioxy,are pharmacologically effective substances or intermediates for preparation thereof.

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: 17-Substituted estradienes and estratrienes of Formula I ##STR1## wherein ##STR2## R is alkyl, alkenyl or cycloalkyl of up to 5 carbon atoms if ##STR3## R is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl or cycloalkyl of up to 5 carbon atoms if ##STR4## is a CC-single or CC-double bond, exhibit, an aldosterone-antagonistic activity and a strong gestagen potency.

Abstract: 6.alpha.,16.beta.-Dimethyl corticoids of general Formula I ##STR1## wherein the bond .sub.-------- is a single bond or a double bond, andX is a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, or a bromine atom,Z is a hydrogen atom or, jointly with X, is a carbon-carbon bond,R.sub.1 is a formyl group, an alkanoyl group or alkoxyalkyl group of 2-8 carbon atoms, or a benzoyl group, andY is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group,are pharmacologically active compounds.

Abstract: Known pregnane derivatives are prepared by esterificiation of known androstane derivatives to give new ester of Formula III ##STR1## wherein in each case symbolizes a single bond or a double bond,n is 1 or 2,R.sub.1 is hydrogen or methyl,R.sub.2 is hydrogen or formyl, andR.sub.3 is chlorine, hydroxy or an alkanoyloxy group of up to 6 carbon atoms,and reaction of the latter with Ag(I) and formic acid.

Abstract: Compounds of Formula I ##STR1## wherein the bond is a single bond or a double bond,X is hydrogen, fluorine, 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: 1.alpha.,2.alpha.-methylene-6-methylene- and 6.alpha.-methylpregnenes of Formula I ##STR1## wherein A is ##STR2## and R is a hydrogen atom, an acyl group, or an alkoxymethyl groupare strong antiandrogens, and suitable for the topical treatment of seborrhea, acne, alopecia, and hirsutism.

Abstract: 6.alpha.-Methyl corticoids of formula I ##STR1## wherein is a single bond or a double bond, R is acyloxy of up to 8 carbon atoms, and X is chlorine, hydroxy, or acyloxy of up to 8 carbon atoms, are pharamacologically effective substances.

Abstract: 6.alpha.,16.alpha.-Dimethyl corticoids of general Formula I ##STR1## wherein the bond is a single bond or a double bond,X is a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, or a bromine atom,R.sub.1 is a formyl group, an alkanoyl group or alkoxyalkyl group of 2-8 carbon atoms, or a benzoyl group, andY is a hydrogen atom, a chlorine atom, a hydroxy group, a formyl group, an alkanoyloxy group of 2-8 carbon atoms, or a benzoyloxy group,are pharmacologically effective compounds.

Abstract: 11.beta.-Arylestradienes of general Formula I are disclosed ##STR1## wherein R.sup.2 is a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, or an ethyl group,R.sup.3 is a hydrogen atom or an acyl group,R.sup.1 and A-B have various meanings,which possess antigestagen and antimineralocorticoid activity.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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 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: 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.