GB912378A — Steroid compounds

USPTO Abstract

The invention comprises 16(a and b )-methyl-1,4,9(11)-pregnatriene-17a ,21-diol - 3,20 -diones and the 21-acylates thereof, and 16(a and b )-9a (bromo and chloro)-11b ,17a ,21-trihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-diones and the 21-acylates thereof, and a process for the preparation of the above 1,4,9(11)-pregnatriene 21-acylates by reacting 16(a and b )-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-11b ,17a ,21-triol-3,20-dione 21-acylates with a dehydrating agent, and a process for the preparation of 16(a and b )-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-9a (bromo or chloro)-11b ,17a ,21-triol-3,20-dione 21-acylates by treating the 1,4,9(11)-pregnatriene 21-acylates with hypobromous or hypochlorous acid respectively (the acid may be formed in situ using N-bromo- or N-chlorosuccinimide and perchloric acid in aqueous solution). The above processes may be modified by hydrolysing the formed 21-acylates to the corresponding 21-hydroxy compounds. Specifications 877,085, 877,086, 906,443 and 912,379 are referred to.