The Polycyclo Ring System Contains Plural Oxirane Rings Patents (Class 540/77)
  • Process for the stereoselective reduction of steroid enelactams
    Patent number: 5817802
    Abstract: The novel process of this invention involves the reduction of certain .DELTA.-5 steroidal alkenes to selectively produce either the 5.alpha. or 5.beta. reduction products. Particularly, this invention involves reduction of .DELTA.-5 steroidal alkenes using a rhodium based catalyst in the presence of hydrogen to selectively yield 5.alpha. steroids or alternatively reduction of .DELTA.-5 steroidal alkenes in an ionizing medium with a trialkylsilane to selectively yield 5.beta. steroids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Guy R. Humphrey, Ross A. Miller