The present invention provides novel 2-decarboxy-2-hydroxymethyl-19-keto-PG compounds, which are useful for a variety of pharmacological purposes, e.g., antiasthmatic indications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to novel prostaglandin analogs. Particularly, 
the invention relates to prostaglandin analogs wherein the C-19 position 
is substituted by oxo, i.e., 19-keto-PG compounds or 19-oxo-PG compounds. 
Most particularly, the present invention relates to novel 
2-decarboxy-2-hydroxymethyl-19-keto-PGF compounds, a disclosure of the 
preparation and pharmacological use of which is incorporated here by 
reference from U.S. Ser. No. 025,899, filed Apr. 2, 1979, now U.S. Pat. 
No. 4,228,104 issued Oct. 14, 1980. 
PRIOR ART 
Prostaglandins exhibiting a variety of substitution at the C-19 position 
are known. See particularly J. C. Sih, et al., JACS 91:3685 (1969) wherein 
19-oxo-PGE.sub.2 and 13,14-dihydro-19-oxo-PGE.sub.1 are disclosed. 
Further, Chemical Abstracts 86:43265H purportedly discloses 
19-oxo-PGF.sub.2 .alpha.. The abstract is derived from Japanese Kokai 76 
82,245. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention particularly provides: a compound of the formula 
##STR1## 
wherein D is (1) cis-CH.dbd.CH-CH.sub.2 -(CH.sub.2).sub.g -CH.sub.2 -, 
(2) cis-CH.dbd.CH-CH.sub.2 -(CH.sub.2).sub.g -CF.sub.2 -, 
(3) cis-CH.sub.2 -CH.dbd.CH-CH.sub.2 -CH.sub.2 -, 
(4) trans-(CH.sub.2).sub.3 -CH.dbd.CH-, 
(5) -(CH.sub.2).sub.3 -(CH.sub.2).sub.g -CH.sub.2 -, 
(6) -(CH.sub.2).sub.3 -CH.sub.2 -CF.sub.2 -, 
(7) -(CH.sub.2).sub.3 -O-CH.sub.2 -, 
(8) -(CH.sub.2)-O-(CH.sub.2).sub.2 -, 
(9) -CH.sub.2 -O-(CH.sub.2).sub.3 -, 
(10) -(m-Ph)-(CH.sub.2).sub.2 -, or 
(11) -(m-Ph)-O-CH.sub.2 -, 
wherein -(m-Ph)-is inter-meta-phenylene and 
wherein g is zero, one, two, or three; 
wherein Q is .alpha.-OH:.beta.-R.sub.5 or .alpha.-R.sub.5 :.beta.-OH, 
wherein R.sub.5 is hydrogen or methyl; 
wherein R.sub.2 is hydrogen, hydroxyl, or hydroxymethyl, 
wherein R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are hydrogen, methyl, or fluoro, being the same 
or different, with the proviso that one of R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is fluoro 
only when the other is hydrogen or fluoro; and 
wherein W is oxo, methylene, .alpha.-OH:.beta.-H, or .alpha.-H:.beta.-OH; 
and 
wherein X is cis- or trans-CH.dbd.CH-, -C.tbd.C- or -CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 -. 
The compounds of the present invention are particularly useful for inducing 
prostaglandin-like biological effects, as described in U.S. Ser. No. 
026,066. Uses of compounds in accordance with the present invention 
include, therefore, antiasthmatic indications.