Improvements in or relating to processes for the production of steroid compounds andnew steroid compounds formed in the course of such processes

摘要

The invention comprises the 3-(cyclic ketals) of 17b -hydroxy-estra-5(10), 9(11)-dien-3-one, the corresponding 17b -acyloxy derivative and a process for the production of 17b -hydroxy-estr-5(10)-en-3-one or its 3-ketals, in which a 3-(cyclic ketal of 17b -hydroxy-estra-5(10), 9(11)-dien-3-one having the formula: FORM:0965716/C1/1 (where R and R1 which may be the same or different each represents H or an alkyl radical having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms; and n is 0 or 1) is catalytically hydrogenated thus effecting the selective reduction of the 9(11) double bond and thereby forming the corresponding 3-ketal of 17b -hydroxy-estr-5(10)-en-3-one which may, when desired, be converted into 17b -hydroxy-estr-5(10)-en-3-one by liberating the protected 3-ketone group. The starting compound may be obtained by reacting a 17b -hydroxy- or 17b -acyloxy-estra-4, 9-dien-3-one with a ketalising agent, e.g. ethylene glycol, in the presence of an acid catalyst and in the case of the 17b -acyloxy product saponifying, e.g. with an alkali metal base. The selective hydrogenation may be effected with palladium or platinum. Specifications 914,736, 914,737 and 965,712 are referred to.