Abstract: A method for the purification of allopregnanolone is disclosed. Allopregnanolone prepared from isopregnanolone contains impurities such as triphenylphosphine oxide and other unknown impurities. To remove these impurities and purify allopregnanolone, the allopregananolone is dissolved in acetonitrile, and crystallized from the acetonitrile. The resulting crystallized allopregnanolone may then be re-crystallized from acetonitrile to further purify the allopregnanolone.

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 novel process for the preparation of 20-keto-pregnanes.

Abstract: A compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen or methyl, R.sub.2 is methyl or ethyl, and A,B,C and D rings optionally containing at least one double bond and optionally substituted with at least one member of the group consisting of optionally protected --OH, .dbd.O, alkyl and alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen and alkenyl and alkynyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, R is selected from the group consisting of halogen, --OH, alkylthio and alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, aralkoxy, arylthio and aralkylthio of 7 to 15 carbon atoms and ##STR2## R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are individually hydrogen, or alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms or aralkyl of 7 to 15 carbon atoms or taken together with the nitrogen form a heterocycle optionally containing another nitrogen or oxygen atom, excepting the product in which R is methoxy, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each represent methyl, A ring carries a 3.beta.-acetoxy function and B ring contains a double bond in 5(6) useful as intermediates for the preparation of 20-keto-pregnanes.