Abstract: The present invention relates to a synthesis route and to steroid derivatives of general formula VI and VII useful in the synthesis of desogestrel and etonogestrel.

Abstract: A new process for the preparation of 16.beta.-methyl-steroids of the formula ##STR1## and novel intermediates.

Abstract: A process for the production of a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is acyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms,. The compound is formed by the reduction of an intermediary to form an alcohol, epoxidation and hydrolyzation of the alcohol to form a compound of formula ##STR2## followed by the acylation of the hydroxy functions and the elimination of the 17.alpha.-substituent.

Abstract: The novel intermediates of the formula ##STR1## wherein L, K and M are as defined in the specification which are useful intermediates for the preparation of .DELTA..sup.4,9(11),16 -pregnatriene-3-ones.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to a process for the preparation of a steroid of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and theo A, B, C, and D ring system has at least one double bond and is optionally substituted by at least one optionally protected hydroxy, optionally protected keto, halogen, alkyl and alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and alkenyl and alkynyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms by reacting the corresponding 17-ketosteroid with a compound of the formula ##STR2## and then by reacting the resulting compound with an aryl sulfenyl halide. The intermediate produced then undergoes rearrangement followed by epimerization with a strong base to obtain a mixture of the corresponding sulfoxide diastereoisomers which is reacted with a thiophilic compound. The intermediate produced undergoes acid hydrolysis to provide the compound of formula I.

Abstract: A compound having a formula ##STR1## in which K is defined as above, C--P being CH.sub.2 or --C.dbd.CH.sub.2 or ##STR2## and J is --SO.sub.2 R.sub.2, or C--P is C.dbd.O and J is --CH.sub.2 Hal.sub.2, or C--P is --CH SO.sub.2 R.sub.2 and J is CO.sub.2 R or Hal.sub.1, R.sub.2 is methyl, phenyl, tolyl or xylyl, R is alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, aralkyl of 7 to 15 is carbon atoms or a silylated remainder selected from the group consisting of trimethylsilyl, tert.-butyldimethylsilyl, triphenylsilyl and diphenyltert.-butylsilyl, Hal.sub.1 is halogen, Hal.sub.2 is chlorine, bromine or iodine and the wavy lines symbolize any one of the isomer forms or their mixtures which are intermediates.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R and R' and the A and B are as defined in the specification. ##STR2## K is selected from the group consisting of ##STR3## n is 2 or 3 and the dotted lined is an optional bond.

Abstract: A compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein K is a protective group of the oxo of the formula ##STR2## wherein n is 2 or 3 and L is a 11.beta.-hydroxy, the dotted line in the 11-position is not a bond and X is chlorine, bromine or iodine which avoids an 11-hydroxylation step in the preparation of hydrocortisone.

Abstract: A compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein K represents a protective group of the oxo of the formula ##STR2## wherein n is 2 or 3, and M is chlorine, bromine, or ##STR3## wherein R.sub.a and R.sub.b are individually selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, --OH, and alkyl and alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, aralkyl of 7 to 15 carbon atoms, trialkyl silyl triphenyl silyl and diphenyl alkyl silyl.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is acyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, by reducing an intermediary to form an alcohol, oxidizing the alcohol to form an aidehyde, which is subjected to the action of an acyloxylation agent.

Abstract: Novel compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein either K' is oxygen or a K, a protective group of the oxo of the formula ##STR2## wherein n is 2 or 3, the 17-position dotted line is a bond, R.sub.a and R.sub.b are individually selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl and alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or K' is an oxygen, the 17-position dotted line is an epoxy and R.sub.a and R.sub.b have the meaning indicated above which are useful intermediates for the preparation of hydrocortisone.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 is alkyl of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, R.sub.3 is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms comprising reacting a compound of the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.4 is a remainder of an easily cleavable ether, K is a protected ketone function in the form of ketal, thioketal or mixed ketal and R.sub.1 has the above definition with a magnesium organic compound reagent of the formulaHalMg--CH.sub.2 --R.sub.2 Awherein Hal is a halogen and R.sub.2 is defined as above to obtain a compound of the formula ##STR3## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and K are defined as above, reacting the latter with an acylation agent to obtain a compound of the formula ##STR4## wherein R.sub.5 is alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms or aryl of 6 to 10 carbon atoms and R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and K are defined as above, reacting the latter with an appropriate alkylation agent to obtain a compound of the formula ##STR5## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.

Abstract: A process for the production of a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is an acyl group of 1 to 8 carbon atoms. The compound is formed through an intermediate compound of the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of methyl, phenyl, tolyl, and xylyl and wherein K is a protective group selected from the group consisting of ##STR3## in which n is 2 or 3 and the wavy line means that the group SO.sub.2 --R.sub.1 may have either isomeric form or are mixtures thereof.

Abstract: New 9.alpha.-hydroxy-17-methylene steroids are prepared by the introduction of a substituted 17-methylene group in 9.alpha.-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3, 17-dione.The resulting compounds are useful starting compounds in the synthesis of corticosteroids.

Abstract: A compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein Hal is chlorine or bromine, R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, aralkyl of 7 to 15 carbon atoms and a silylated group, K is a protective group selected from the group consisting of ##STR2## n is 2 or 3 and the wavy lines mean the groups may have either isomer form or are mixtures thereof which are intermediates for .DELTA..sup.4,9(11),16 -pregnatriene-3-ones.

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 10.beta.-alkynyl-steroids of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl and alkoxy of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, optionally substituted alkenyl and alkynyl of 2 to 8 carbon atoms, optionally substituted aryl and aralkyl, optionally esterified carboxy, dialkylamino with alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, halogen and trialkylsilyl of 1 to 7 alkyl carbon atoms, R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form cyclopropyl or R.sub.6 is hydrogen and R.sub.7 is R.sub.1, R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, optionally substituted alkenyl and alkynyl of 2 to 6 carbon atoms and acetylthio, R.sub.

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: A novel class of steroids having pregnancy-terminating and/or pregnancy-preventing activity and a very low antiglucocorticoid activity have been found. The compounds have the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each separately represent H or a (1-4 C) hydrocarbon radical or together represent a (2-6 C) hydrocarbon radical, R.sub.3 represents H or a (1-4 C) hydrocarbon radical, optionally having an OH substituent, R.sub.4 represents OH or an ester or ether group, or together with R.sub.3 represents O or a heterocyclic ring system containing O, and wherein the broken line indicates an optionally present double bond between the carbon atoms at positions 9 and 10 of the steroid skeleton.

Abstract: Novel 17-(formamidosulfonylmethylene)-steroids of the formula ##STR1## useful as intermediates for the novel 17-(isocyanosulfonylmethylene)-steroids of the formula ##STR2## which are useful intermediates for 21-hydroxy-20-keto-.DELTA..sup.16 -steroids and 20-keto-.DELTA..sup.16 -steroids.