Abstract: The unsaturated 17.alpha.-cyanomethyl-17.beta.-hydroxy steroids of the formula I, ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 =Me, Eth; R.sub.2 =H, Me; R.sub.3 =H, OH, an acetoxy or alkoxy group; R.sub.4 =H, R.sub.5 =OH, an acetoxy, alkoxy group of R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 together represent a keto- or ketal group and double bonds are contained in the basic structure of the steroid, particularly between the 15 and 16 position in the steroid ring, from unsaturated 17-ketosteroids of the general formula II as described herein with the aforementioned meanings of R.sub.1 to R.sub.5 by reacting the unsaturated 17-ketosteroids with LiCH.sub.2 CN and subsequently hydrolyzing.The compounds of formula I are pharmacologically interesting steroid compounds or also intermediate products for the synthesis of highly-effective steroid products which can be used in human and veterinary medicine for the treatment of endocrine disorders and for reproductive control based on their specific hormonal/anti-hormonal actions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of (+)-bicyclo[3.3.0]octan-3-one-2 carboxylic acid steroid esters of formula I ##STR1## in which X means oxygen or the radicals --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --O-- or --O--CH.sub.2 --C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O--,n means 2 or 3R.sub.2 means hydrogen or methyl,Y means the radicals X or X.sub.1,X.sub.1 means the radicals OCH.sub.3 or OCOR.sub.3,R.sub.3 means methyl, ethyl, phenyl, benzyl or pivalyl and the radical ##STR2## the radicals ##STR3## and X and X.sub.1 have the meanings indicated above, characterized in that D,L-bicyclo[3.3.0]octan-3-one-2 carboxylic acid esters of formula II ##STR4## in which X has the meaning indicated above and R is an alkyl group with 1-4 carbon atoms, with optically active steroids with a free 17'beta hydroxy group of formula III ##STR5## in which 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.