| abstract |
A process for the preparation of an intermediate compound of formula (II): wherein X is as defined in the specification, R is haloalkyl, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, carboxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, aryl or arylalkyl; R 1, R 2, R 7 R are organic groups as defined in the specification, which process comprises aromatizing a compound of formula (EI): wherein R 1, R 2, R 3, n, X and R 5 are as defined in connection with formula (II) and R 4 is a group R or a precursor group thereof, and then, if necessary or desired, performing one or more of the following steps: (i) removing any hydroxy protecting groups R; (ii) converting a precursor group R4 to a group R, or wherein R is a group R, converting it to another such group. Compounds obtained are useful intermediates, for example in the preparation of fulvestrant. New intermediates are also required. |