Abstract: A compound of formula I wherein X represents an optionally halo-substituted (C2-4)alkynylene group bonded via vicinal unsaturated carbon atoms.

Abstract: 2,3-Dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-quinoxalinyl derivatives of formula (I), ##STR1## wherein one of the radicals R.sub.1, and R.sub.2 is a group R.sub.5 and the other is a group of formula --CH(R.sub.6)--alk--R.sub.7 (Ia), --alk--CH(R.sub.6 -R.sub.7 (Ib), --alk--N(R.sub.8)--X--R.sub.7 (Ic), --alk--N.sup.+ (R.sub.8)(R.sup.9)--X--R.sub.7 A.sup.- (Id), --alk--O--X--R.sub.7 (Ie) or --alk--S--X--R.sub.7 (If), R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are each independently of the others hydrogen, lower alkyl, halogen, trifluoromethyl, cyano or nitro, R.sub.6 is unsubstituted or lower alkylated and/or lower alkanoylated amino, R.sub.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein carbon atoms 1 and 2 are linked by a single bond or a double bond, R.sub.1 is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, and A is a group of the formula --N(--R.sub.2)--X-- wherein R.sub.2 is hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl and X is C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkylene or C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 cycloalkylidene; a group of the formula --N(--R.sub.2)--Y--Phe-- wherein R.sub.2 is as defined above, Y is a direct bond or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkylene and Phe is an unsubstituted or substituted phenylene radical; a group of the formula --O--X-- wherein X is as defined above, or a group --O--Y--Phe-- wherein Y and Phe are as defined above, are inhibitors of 5.alpha.-reductase and can be used for the therapeutic treatment of the human and animal body.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein carbon atoms 1 and 2 are linked by a single bond or a double bond, R.sub.1 is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, and A is a group of the formula --N(--R.sub.2)--X-- wherein R.sub.2 is hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl and X is C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkylene or C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 cycloalkylidene; a group of the formula --N(--R.sub.2)--Y--Phe-- wherein R.sub.2 is as defined above, Y is a direct bond or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkylene and Phe is an unsubstituted or substituted phenylene radical; a group of the formula --O--X-- wherein X is as defined above, or a group --O--Y--Phe-- wherein Y and Phe are as defined above, are inhibitors of 5.alpha.-reductase and can be used for the therapeutic treatment of the human and animal body.

Abstract: 7.alpha.-acylthio-9.alpha.,11.alpha.-epoxy-20-spirox-4-ene-3,21-diones of the formula I ##STR1## in which R represents lower alkanoyl and --A--A-- represents an ethylene or cyclopropylene group, have a high aldosterone-antagonistic activity without significant sexually-specific side-effects and can be used as potassium-protecting diuretics in the treatment of various forms of hyperaldosteronism. The compounds can be obtained by conventional processes of steroid chemistry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel general process for synthesizing a .alpha.- or .beta.-oriented hydroxyacetyl side chain of steroids of the pregnane type, which comprises treating a corresponding steroid carbaldehyde in succession with formaldehyde dimethylmercaptal-S-oxide in the form of an alkali metal salt thereof, and with a strongly acid hydrolysing agent.Preferred final products are compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein n is 1 or 2, R.sup.2 represents methyl or difluoromethyl, and R.sup.1 represents hydroxymethyl, methoxymethyl, acetoxymethyl or hydrogen, and, if n is 2 and/or R.sup.2 is difluoromethyl, R.sup.1 also represents methyl. These compounds act as agonists or antagonists of natural steroid hormones. The antigestagenic 19,21-dihydroxy-17.alpha.-pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione and its 6,7-dehydro derivatives and diacetates are of particular interest.

Abstract: 19-Oxygenated steroid compounds of the pregnane series of the formula I ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom, andR.sup.2 represents an .alpha.-oriented lower alkanoylthio group, orR.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together represent a carbon-carbon bond or an .alpha.-or .beta.-oriented methylene radical,R.sup.3 represents a free hydroxymethyl group or a hydroxymethyl group etherified by a lower alkyl or esterified by a lower alkanoyl; or represents a formyl group, a carboxyl group or a lower alkoxycarbonyl group, andR.sup.4 represents a hydrogen atom or the acyl radical Ac of a carboxylic acid,and corresponding 1,2-dehydro derivatives have valuable aldosterone-antagonizing properties with a minimum effect on sexual functions. As the compounds reduce the excessive sodium retention and potassium excretion induced by aldosterone, they are especially useful as the active ingredient in pharmaceutical preparations for alleviating diseases involving hyperaldosteronismus in man and other warm-blooded animals.

Abstract: An advantageous diuretic action by excretion of water, sodium and chloride ions, with reduced excretion of potassium ions, is effected by combined administration of a 19-oxygenated steroid compound of the pregnane series of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.a represents a hydrogen atom, andR.sub.b represents an .alpha.-oriented lower alkanoylthio group, orR.sub.a and R.sub.b together represent a carbon-carbon bond or an .alpha.- or .beta.-oriented methylene radical,R represents a free hydroxymethyl group or a hydroxymethyl group etherified by a lower alkyl or esterified by a lower alkanoyl; or represents a carboxyl group or a lower alkoxycarbonyl group, andR.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom or the acyl radical Ac of a carboxylic acid,as the aldosterone-antagonising component A on the one hand, and, on the other hand, of a conventional diuretic which is unspecific in respect of electrolyte excretion, e.g.

Abstract: 11,12-Unsaturated 9.alpha.-fluorosteroids comprising a new class of steroid compounds are obtained by a novel process, wherein a corresponding 9.alpha.-fluoro-11.beta.-hydroxysteroid is dehydrated with a reagent of the formula F.sub.3 SX in which X denotes an amino group derived from a secondary amine. Of a particular interest among the products of the invention are compounds of the general formula IB ##STR1## in which the symbols R.sub.5 -R.sub.10 have the meanings given hereinafter; such compounds are especially useful as analogues of cortical hormones possessing antiinflammatory activity.

Abstract: Novel 19-oxygenated steroids of the 20-spiroxane series of the formula ##STR1## in which R.sup.3 is a lower alkyl radical carrying an oxygen-containing functional group and R.sup.4 is two hydrogen atoms or an oxo group, and which carry a double bond or a methylene group in the 6,7-position or carry a lower alkanoylthio group in the 7.alpha.-position, and the corresponding 17.beta.-hydroxy-21-carboxylic acids of the formula ##STR2## in which R.sup.3 is as defined above, and which carry a double bond or a methylene group in the 6,7-position, as well as salts thereof and 1,2-dehydro derivatives of all of these compounds are advantageous as potassium-saving diuretics in therapy since they antagonize the physiological effects of aldosterone but have only slight side effects on sexual functions of the body. The compounds are obtainable by conventional general preparation processes of steroid chemistry.

Abstract: A novel group of 18,18-difluorosteroids of the general formula ##STR1## wherein St, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 have the meanings given hereinafter is produced by a chemically novel process characterized in that a corresponding 18-oxo compound is treated with a compound of the formula F.sub.3 SX, wherein X denotes a fluorine atom or an amino group derived from a secondary amine. The compounds of the invention are useful as pharmaceutical intermediates. A number of them are physiologically active and possess hormone-like properties, e.g. those of sexual and/or adrenocortical hormones, such as the gonadotropin-blocking, ovulation-blocking, androgenic, oestrogenic, progestagenic, anabolic, antioestrogenic, antiandrogenic, mineralocorticoid, glucocorticoid and antiinflammatory activity, and can be used in lieu of known hormones or agents possessing corresponding hormone-like properties.

Abstract: A new class of 13-ethinyl-steroids is prepared by a novel process comprising Wittig reaction of a 13-formyl steroid with a chloro- or bromomethylenephosphorane and dehydrohalogenation of the intermediate 13-(2-halogenovinyl)steroid with an extremely strong base. Preferred products are those of the formula ##STR1## wherein R denotes a hydrogen atom or the methyl group, R.sub.3 denotes a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl or lower alkanoyl group, R.sub.4 denotes a hydrogen atom or a lower aliphatic hydrocarbon radical, or R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 together denote a C--O linkage, R.sub.5 denotes the oxo group, a hydrogen atom together with an esterified or free hydroxyl group, or two hydrogen atoms, R.sub.6 denotes a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, and R.sub.7 denotes a hydrogen atom or the methyl group, it also being possible for an additional 1,2-double bond to be present in compounds in which R is the methyl group.

Abstract: A new method for converting 11.beta.,18; 18,20-bis-epoxy-pregn-20-enes to 11.beta.,18-epoxy-18,21-dihydroxy-20-oxo-pregnane compounds or functional derivatives thereof is described and claimed. It consists in treating said bis-epoxy compounds with a heavy metal acylate having an acyloxylating action, such as lead - (IV), cerium - (IV), mercury - (II) and thallium - (III) - acylates. Preferred agent is lead tetraacetate. The reaction is conducted in a solvent or suspending agent like benzene or its homologs or chlorinated paraffins, like methylene chloride, preferably at room temperature and optionally in the presence of an acid.In the 21- acylates of 11.beta.,18-epoxy-18,21-dihydroxy-20-oxo-pregnane compounds thus obtained the 21-hydroxy group and any other protected functional groups can be set free in manner known.The process is especially important for the manufacture of aldosterone or its derivatives.