| abstract |
The present invention provides a compound comprising a steroidal ring system and an optional group R1 selected from any one of -OH, a sulphamate group, a phosphonate group, a thiophosphonate group, a sulphonate group or a sulphonamide group; wherein the A ring of the steroidal ring system is optionally substituted at position 2 or 4 with a group R4 which may be a suitable subtituent wherein the D ring of the steroidal ring system is substituted by a group R2 of the formula -L-R3, wherein L is an optional linker group and R3 is selected from groups which are or which comprise one of (i) -S02R5, wherein R5 is H, a hydrocarbyl group or a bond or group attached to the D ring; (ii) -NO2; (iii) -SOR6, wherein R6 is H or a hydrocarbyl group; (iv) -R7, wherein R7 is a halogen; (v) - alkyl; (vi) -C(=O)R8, wherein R8 is H or hydrocarbyl; (vii) -C.ident.CR9, wherein R9 is H or hydrocarbyl; (viii) -OC(=O)NR10R11 wherein R10 and R11 are independently selected from H and hydrocarbyl; (ix), (x), (xi), (xii) and (xiii) are formulae wherein when R3 is -alkyl, R4 is present as a hydrocarbon group, when R3 is -NO2 R4 is present and/or R1 is present as a sulphamate group, and when R3 is -C(=O)R8 R4 is present and R1 is present as a sulphamate group. |