Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing 1-hydroxymethyl-1,2-diphenyloxiranes from 2,3-diphenylpropenals by means of epoxidation and reduction. The formation of objectionable by-products can be suppressed in that the reduction is started before the 2,3-5 diphenylpropenal is completely converted. The hydroxymethyl diphenyloxiranes represent valuable intermediate products for producing 1-azolylmethyl-1,2-diphenyloxiranes, wherein the latter can be easily produced from said intermediate products by introducing the azolyl group.

Abstract: A process for the preparation and purification of Eplerenone is described wherein hydroxylated impurities are removed using a novel derivatization procedure.

Abstract: Novel 3-keto-19-nor-.DELTA..sup.4,9 -steroids of the formula ##STR1## and their non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts possessing a remarkable antiglucocorticoidal activity.

Abstract: Novel 11.beta.-alkynylphenyl-19-nor-steroids of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is alkynyl of 2 to 8 carbon atoms optionally substituted with at least one member of the group consisting of --OH halogen, trialkylsilyl of 1 to 6 alkyl carbon atoms, alkoxy and alkylthio of 1 to 6 carbon atoms and dialkylamino of 1 to 6 alkyl carbon atoms having remarkably antiprogestomimetic and antiglucocorticoidal activity.

Abstract: Novel radioactive estradienes labelled with tritium of the formula ##STR1## wherein .sup.3 H is tritium and R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms and acyl of an organic carboxylic acid of 1 to 10 carbon atoms and the study and radioimmunological determination of non-radioactive 11.beta.-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-17.alpha.-(prop-1-ynyl)-.DELTA..sup.4,9 -estradiene-17.beta.-ol-3-one and its metabolites in biological fluids and novel intermediates.

Abstract: Novel 19-nor steroids and 19-nor-D-homo-steroids of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an organic radical of 1 to 18 carbon atoms containing at least one atom selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, phosphorous and silicon with the atom immediately adjacent to the 11-carbon atom being carbon, R.sub.2 is a hydrocarbon of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, X is selected from the group consisting of a pentagonal ring and a hexagonal ring optionally substituted and optionally containing a double bond, B and C together form a double bond or an epoxy group, the C.dbd.A group at position 3 is selected from the group consisting of C.dbd.O, ketal, which may be open or closed ##STR2## are selected from the group consisting of alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms and aralkyl of 7 to 15 carbon atoms and their non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts having anti-glucocorticoid activity and a process for their preparation.