Abstract: A compound of the formula ##STR1## in which ##STR2## is either a 3-keto-.DELTA.4-system or a 3-keto -.DELTA.1,4-system or a 3-OR.sub.4 - .DELTA.5-system in which R.sub.4 is hydrogen or a protector group of hydroxy, R is methyl --CH.sub.2 OH or --CH.sub.2 OR', in which R' is a protector group of hydroxy, R.sub.1 and R'.sub.1 are individually selected from the group consisting of methyl, a branched alkyl not possessing hydrogen in the .beta. position of 5 to 8 carbon atoms, aryl of up to 10 carbon atoms, heteroaryl of up to 10 carbon atoms and at least one heteroatom chosen from nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen and benzyl, n and m, are individually numbers 0 or 1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are hydrogen or R.sub.2 is fluorine and R.sub.3 is formyloxy or acetyloxy and the dotted lines in position 9(11) indicate the optional presence of a second bond which is useful for the preparation of compounds of formula A.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms optionally substituted by halogen or a nitrogen or oxygen function and alkenyl and alkynyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and the A, B, C and D rings are optionally substituted by at least one member of the group consisting of optionally protected --OH or .dbd.0, halogen, alkyl and alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and alkenyl and alkynyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms comprising reacting a compound of the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 and the A, B, C and D rings are defined as above with an oxidizing agent in the presence of water and an at least partially water-miscible solvent to obtain a compound of the formula ##STR3## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.

Abstract: A compound of the formula ##STR1## in which ##STR2## is either a 3-keto-.DELTA.4-system or a 3-keto -.DELTA.1,4-system or a 3-OR.sub.4 -.DELTA.5-system in which R.sub.4 is hydrogen or a protector group of hydroxy, R is methyl, --CH.sub.2 OH or --CH.sub.2 OR', in which R' is a protector group of hydroxy, R.sub.1 and R'.sub.1 are individually selected from the group consisting of methyl, a branched alkyl not possessing hydrogen in the .beta. position of 5 to 8 carbon atoms, aryl of up to 10 carbon atoms, heteroaryl of up to 10 carbon atoms and at least one heteroatom chosen from nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen and benzyl, n and m, are individually numbers 0 or 1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are hydrogen or R.sub.2 is fluorine and R.sub.3 is formyloxy or acetyloxy and the dotted lines in position 9(11) indicate the optional presence of a second bond which are useful for the preparation of compounds of formula A.

Abstract: 19-Fluoro- and cyano- substituted 21-hydroxyprogesterone derivatives and related compounds which are active as 19-hydroxylase inhibitors and useful as antihypertensive agents are described herein. The compounds are prepared using appropriate synthetic pathways which will vary according to the nature of the specific 19-substituted progesterone or related compound desired.