| abstract |
The invention comprises a compound of the formula <FORM:1042633/C2/1> i.e. 17b - hydroxy - 3,5 - dioxo - 4,5 - seco - D 9-estrene, and the preparation thereof or of a 17-acylate thereof (the acyl group containing 1 to 18 carbon atoms) by reacting a compound of the formula <FORM:1042633/C2/2> (wherein R11 is a C1- 6 acyl group) with a ketal protected 4-oxo-pentyl-magnesium halide, treating the reaction product with an alkali, subjecting the product so formed to acid hydrolysis and, if desired, acylating the required product. The products may be cyclized with an alkali metal alcoholate to 17b -hydroxy-3-oxo-D 4,9-estradiene and its esters; the esters may also be obtained by acylation of the free 17b -ol. The ester products may also be hydrogenated to 3-methyl - 7 - keto - 8 - (311 - ketobutyl) - 3,4 - (31-acyloxycyclopentane - (21,11)) - decahydronaphthalenes, which on cyclization with an acid yield 19-nortestosterone esters. |