| abstract |
A process for preparing an intermediate compound of formula (II): where X is as defined in the specification, R1 is haloalkyl, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, carboxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, aryl or arylalkyl; R?2, R3, R4 and R5¿ are organic groups as defined in the specification, which process comprises aromatisation of a compound of formula (III): where R?1, R2, R3¿, n X and R5 are as defined in relation to formula (II) and R4 is a group R4 or a precursor group thereof, and thereafter if necessary or desired, carrying out one or more of the following steps: (i) removing any hydroxy protecting groups R; (ii) converting a precursor group R4' to a group R4, or where R4' is a group R4, converting it to a different such group. Compounds obtained are useful intermediates for example in the preparation of fulvestrant. Novel intermediates are also claimed. |