Abstract: The instant invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R1 is OH, O—C(O)—(C1-C6 alkyl), O—C(O)—O(C1-C6 alkyl), O—C(O)—Ar, or O—C(O)—O—Ar; R2 is H, OH, O(C1-C6 alkyl), O—C(O)—(C1-C6 alkyl), O—C(O)—O(C1-C6 alkyl), O—C(O)—Ar, O—C(O)—O—Ar, O—SO2—(C4-C6 alkyl), chloro, fluoro, or bromo; V is S, O, or CH2CH2; W is CHOH, C(O), or CH2; X is (CH2)n; R3 and R4 each, independently, are H, C1-C6 alkyl, C(O)—(C1-C6 alkyl), C(O)—NH—(C1-C6 alkyl), C(O)—Ar, or together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a 5- or 6-membered imide or cyclic amide; n is 1, 2, or 3; and Ar is optionally substituted phenyl; povided that at least one of R3 and R4 contains a carbonyl functional group, and their use in the treatment of estrogen deficiency pathologies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel process for preparing a compound of formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 combine to form C.sub.4 -C.sub.6 polymethylene, --CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, --CH.sub.2 C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, or --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.Also provided intermediates of formulae II and IV ##STR2## wherein Z is a leaving group.