Abstract: A multi-step, stereospecific total synthesis of steroids utilizing intermediates having a cyanoalkyl A-ring precursor is disclosed. The initial starting materials for this process are the relatively inexpensive and commercially available reagents .gamma.-butyrolactone and sodium cyanide. The process is suitable for the preparation of racemic or optically active, medicinally valuable steroids, particularly 19-norsteroids. It is a feature of this process that conditions employed during the multiple step synthesis are selected so as to retain the normally labile nitrile group even during hydrogenation and hydrolysis steps. In this manner, it is possible to employ the nitrile group as an A-ring precursor without resorting to protective groups as was heretofore found necessary in previous steroid total synthesis processes.

Abstract: A total synthesis of canthaxanthin or dinor-canthaxanthin, known food coloring agents, from pentols.

Abstract: A multi-step, stereospecific total synthesis of steroids utilizing intermediates having a cyanoalkyl A-ring precursor is disclosed. The initial starting materials for this process are the relatively inexpensive and commercially available reagents .gamma.-butyrolactone and sodium cyanide. The process is suitable for the preparation of racemic or optically active, medicinally valuable steroids, particularly 19-norsteroids. It is a feature of this process that conditions employed during the multiple step synthesis are selected so as to retain the normally labile nitrile group even during hydrogenation and hydrolysis steps. In this manner, it is possible to employ the nitrile group as an A-ring precursor without resorting to protective groups as wasl heretofore found necessary in previous steroid total synthesis processes.

Abstract: Homologation of .alpha.,.beta.-polyene unsaturated aldehydes and ketones to form .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated aldehydes via epoxidation of the ketone or aldehyde and intermediates in this process such as .beta.,.gamma.-unsaturated polyene aldehydes.

Abstract: A total synthesis of canthaxanthin or dinor-canthaxanthin, known food coloring agents, from pentols.

Abstract: A total synthesis of canthaxanthin or dinor-canthaxanthin, known food coloring agents, from pentols.

Abstract: Homologation of .alpha.,.beta.-polyene unsaturated aldehydes and ketones to form .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated aldehydes via epoxidation of the ketone or aldehyde and intermediates in this process such as .beta.,.gamma.-unsaturated polyene aldehydes.

Abstract: Preparation of 1-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexenyl)-3-methyl-3,4-epoxy-but-1-ene from .beta.-ionone by utilizing trimethyl sulfonium chloride in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst and a base; or by utilizing a higher alkyl dimethyl sulfonium salt in the presence of a base.

Abstract: A multi-step, stereospecific total synthesis of steroids utilizing intermediates having a cyanoalkyl A-ring precursor is disclosed. The initial starting materials for this process are the relatively inexpensive and commercially available reagents .gamma.-butyrolactone and sodium cyanide. The process is suitable for the preparation of racemic or optically active, medicinally valuable steroids, particularly 19-norsteroids. It is a feature of this process that conditions employed during the multiple step synthesis are selected so as to retain the normally labile nitrile group even during hydrogenation and hydrolysis steps. In this manner, it is possible to employ the nitrile group as an A-ring precursor without resorting the protective groups as was heretofore found necessary in previous steroid total synthesis processes.

Abstract: The intermediates and processes of this disclosure provide a new stereo-specific total synthesis of steroidal materials having known valuable pharmacological properties. A fundamental feature of this disclosure is the utilization of aryl ketals, preferably phenylenedioxy ketals derived from catechol as protective groups for oxo moieties in the polycyclic intermediates used in the aforesaid total synthesis.

Abstract: A multi-step, stereospecific total synthesis of steroids utilizing intermediates having a cyanoalkyl A-ring precursor is disclosed. The initial starting materials for this process are the relatively inexpensive and commercially available reagents .gamma.-butyrolactone and sodium cyanide. The process is suitable for the preparation of racemic or optically active, medicinally valuable steroids, particularly 19-norsteroids. It is a feature of this process that conditions employed during the multiple step synthesis are selected so as to retain the normally labile nitrile group even during hydrogenation and hydrolysis steps. In this manner, it is possible to employ the nitrile group as an A-ring precursor without resorting to protective groups as was heretofore found necessary in previous steroid total synthesis processes.

Abstract: The intermediates and processes of this disclosure provide a new stereo-specific total synthesis of steroidal materials having known valuable pharmacological properties. A fundamental feature of this disclosure is the utilization of aryl ketals, preferably phenylenedioxy ketals derived from catechol as protective groups for oxo moieties in the polycyclic intermediates used in the aforesaid total synthesis.

Abstract: A multi-step, stereospecific total synthesis of steroids utilizing intermediates having a cyanoalkyl A-ring precursor is disclosed. The initial starting materials for this process are the relatively inexpensive and commercially available reagents .gamma.-butyrolactone and sodium cyanide. The process is suitable for the preparation of racemic or optically active, medicinally valuable steroids, particularly 19-norsteroids. It is a feature of this process that conditions employed during the multiple step synthesis are selected so as to retain the normally labile nitrile group even during hydrogenation and hydrolysis steps. In this manner, it is possible to employ the nitrile group as an A-ring precursor without resorting to protective groups as was heretofore found necessary in previous steroid total synthesis processes.

Abstract: The intermediates and processes of this disclosure provide a new stereo-specific total synthesis of steroidal materials having known valuable pharmacological properties. A fundamental feature of this disclosure is the utilization of aryl ketals, preferably phenylenedioxy ketals derived from catechol as protective groups for oxo moieties in the polycyclic intermediates used in the aforesaid total synthesis.

Abstract: The intermediates and processes of this disclosure provide a new stereo-specific total synthesis of steroidal materials having known valuable pharmacological properties. A fundamental feature of this diclosure is the utilization of aryl ketals, preferably phenylenedioxy ketals derived from catechol as protective groups for oxo moieties in the polycyclic intermediates used in the aforesaid total synthesis.

Abstract: The intermediates and processes of this disclosure provide a new stereo-specific total synthesis of steroidal materials having known valuable pharmacological properties. A fundamental feature of this disclosure is the utilization of aryl ketals, preferably phenylenedioxy ketals derived from catechol as protective groups for oxo moieties in the polycyclic intermediates used in the aforesaid total synthesis.

Abstract: The intermediates and processes of this disclosure provide a new stereo-specific total synthesis of steroidal materials having known valuable pharmacological properties. A fundamental feature of this disclosure is the utilization of aryl ketals, preferably phenylenedioxy ketals derived from catechol as protective groups for oxo moieties in the polycyclic intermediates used in the aforesaid total snythesis.