| abstract |
The invention comprises 20-hydroxy-19-nor-des - A - pregn - 9 - en - 5 - one, 19 - nor - des- A-pregn-9-ene-5, 20-dione and a process for the preparation thereof in which a 17a -acetyl-17b -acyloxy-5 -methoxy-des A-estra-5,7,9-triene of the general formula: <FORM:1001195/C2/1> (in which Ac represents an acyl group derived from an organic carboxylic acid having from 2-7 carbon atoms) is subjected to reduction and hydrolysis to obtain 20-hydroxy-19-nor-des-A-pregn-9-en-5-one and if desired oxidizing this compound with chromic anhydride in acetic acid to obtain 19-nor-des-A-pregn-9-en-5,20-dione. The reduction may be effected with lithium in liquid ammonia. Specification 1,001,194 also is referred to. |