Abstract: Novel halogenated steroids of the formula ##STR1## in which X represents a halogen atom having a maximum atomic number of 17,Y represents a hydrogen atom or hydroxyl, andR represents an alkyl radical having a maximum of 6 carbon atoms,and their 1,2-dehydro derivatives and the processes for the production thereof.

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: The invention provides a novel general process for the manufacture of 6.beta.,7-methylene-3-oxo-4-ene-steroids by successively (a) reacting a 3.xi.,5.beta.-dihydroxy-6-ene-steroid which is optionally etherified or esterified in the 3-position with a zinc/copper-methylene iodide reagent to introduce the 6.beta.,7-methylene bridge, (b) liberating an etherified or esterified 3-hydroxyl group if such a group is present, (c) treating the resultant 6.beta.,7-methylene-3.xi.,5.beta.-dihydroxy-steroid with an oxidizing agent to dehydrogenate the 3-hydroxyl group to the oxo group, and (d) dehydrating the 6.beta.,7-methylene-5.beta.-hydroxy-3-oxo-steroid to form the 4,5-double bond. The starting materials, which form a novel class of compounds, can be obtained by a novel process by converting a 5.beta.,6-oxido-3.xi.-hydroxy-steroid with a selenol, for example phenylselenol, to a 6.alpha.-alkyl- or arylseleno-3.xi.,5.beta.

Abstract: 21-Fluoro-19-norpregnadienes of the formula ##STR1## wherein X represents hydrogen, lower alkyl, chlorine or fluorine and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each individually denote a hydrogen atom or an acyclic or carbocyclic hydrocarbon radical or both together with the adjacent carbon atom form a cycloaliphatic ring, are useful gestagenic and ovulation-inhibiting agents suitable for oral administration.