# Patent

## Title
3-alkylthiopropionic acids and derivatives

## Abstract

This application is a continuation-in-part of our copending application Ser. No. 018,766, filed Feb. 27, 1987, which is in turn a continuation of our application Ser. No. 635,970, filed July 31, 1984, now abandoned. The entire contents of each of these two applications are incorporated herein by reference.

## Background
1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to certain novel prostaglandin compounds that are 11-substituted-16-phenoxy- and 11-substituted-16-substituted phenoxyprostatrienoic acid derivatives. The compounds of the present invention exhibit prostaglandin-like biological activities and thus are used in the treatment of mammals where the use of prostaglandins is indicated, e.g., as bronchodilators, vasodilators, and central nervous system depressants. The compounds of this invention also significantly reduce intraocular pressure without the adverse side effects of natural prostaglandins.

2. Description of the Related Art

The activity of prostaglandins and various derivatives has been described in several publications. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,178,457 to Van Horn, et al., describes prostaglandins having the side chains of the present invention, but lacking substitutions at the 11 carbon atom. Prostaglandins having substitutions on the 11 carbon atom, but not having the side chains of the present invention are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 3,989,744 to Woessner, et al.

In ophthalmic uses, PGE.sub.1 and PGE.sub.2 have both been shown to cause a transitory rise in intraocular pressure when first administered. Some evidence has been presented that when administered in small (5 .mu.g) does, PGF.sub.2.alpha. did not produce the initial IOP rise, suggesting that similar results might be obtained with low doses of certain other prostaglandins or their analogues [see Camaras, et al., Invest. Ophthamol. Visual Sci., December 1977, 1125-1134]. Administration of PGE.sub.1 and PGE.sub.2, even at low doses, results in severe eye irritation, the irritation response including red, swollen and watery eyes. None of the previous disclosures show the compounds covered by the generic formula of the present invention, nor their activities and the absence of side effects, as described below.

More particularly, the present invention relates to an enantiomer or racemic mixture of 11-substituted-16 phenoxy and 16-(o, m or p)-substituted phenoxy prostaglandins represented by the following formula ##STR3##

wherein R is hydrogen, lower alkyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable, non-toxic salt of a compound wherein R is hydrogen; X is hydrogen, halo, trifluoromethyl, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy; Y is lower alkyl or ##STR4## wherein Z is hydrogen, halo, methyl, methoxy or trifluoromethyl; and the wavy lines represent the .alpha. or .beta. configuration with the proviso that when one wavy line is .alpha. is the other is .beta..

In another aspect, the compounds of this invention significantly reduce intraocular pressure without the adverse side effects of natural prostaglandins, and methods for treating high intraocular pressure in mammals are disclosed.

In yet another aspect, ophthalmic formulations of the compounds of the present invention in aqueous solution are significantly more stable than natural prostaglandins.

Formulas having an allene group are represented herein as having substituents on one end of the allene group which are oriented at 90.degree. to those on the other. A broken line indicates that the substituent is behind the plane of the allene group and is designated as being in the .alpha. position. A triangular line defines the substituent as being in front of the plane of the allene group and is referred to as being in the .beta. position. When there are at least three different groups substituted on the allene, as in Formula I, the allene moiety is rendered asymmetric.

The broken lines shown in the above formula and other formulas herein at carbons, 8, 9, 11 and 15 indicate that the pendant substituents are in the .alpha. configuration, i.e., below the plane of the cylopentane ring or of the lower side chain. The triangular shaped line at C-12 denotes the .beta. configuration, i.e., that the substituent is above the plane of the cyclopentane ring.

The double bond at C-13 in these formulas has the trans configuration the same as do the natural PGE and PFG series prostaglandins.

The compounds of this invention possess asymmetric centers and thus can be produced as racemic or non-racemic mixtures or as individual R- or S-enantiomers. The individual enantiomers may be obtained by resolving a racemic or non-racemic mixture of an intermediate at some appropriate stage of the synthesis. It is understood that the racemic or non-racemic mixtures and the individual R- or S-enantiomers are encompassed within the scope of the present invention.

"Isomers" are different compounds that have the same molecular formula.

"Stereoisomers" are isomers that differ only in the way the atoms are arranged in space.

"Enantiomers" are a pair of stereoisomers that are non-superimposable mirror images of each other.

"Diastereomers" are stereoisomers that are not mirror-images of each other.

"Epimers" are diastereomers which differ only in the configuration of one asymmetric center.

"Racemic mixture" means a mixture containing equal parts of individual enantiomers. "Non-racemic mixture" is a mixture containing unequal parts of individual enantiomers.

The term "mixture", as applied to Formula I is defined in the present application as any combination of all four components (of Formula Ia, Ia' Ib and Ib' as depicted below) in any proportions and all permutations of any two or three of the four components in any proportinos. As applied to synthetic intermediates of formulas 8-17 in the reaction scheme on pages 13-15, the term "mixture" is defined in the present application as any combination of the stereoisomers implied by the wavey lines and the enantiomers of such stereoisomers in any proportions.

formula I includes any single structure below (Ia, Ia', Ib and Ib'), all permutations of two or three components in any proportions, and mixtures of all four components in any proportions. ##STR5##

Any individual component may be prepared by processes described below starting from the appropriate individual enantiomers of the lactone of formula 1 in the reaction scheme on page 12. Mixtures of Ia and Ia', Ib and Ib', Ia and Ib, Ia' and Ib' and mixtures of the four compounds may also be prepared by processes described below. Mixtures of Ia and Ia' or Ib and Ib' or mixtures of all four components are produced starting from the racemic or non-racemic modifications of the lactone of formula 1. Mixtures of Ia and Ib, or Ia' and Ib' are prepared starting from the appropriate optically active lactone of formula 1. All the mixture above and mixtures of Ia and Ib' and Ib and Ia' may also be prepared by mixing the appropriate intermediates or individual components obtained by the processes described below. Any mixtures of three components may be prepared by mixing the appropriate intermediates or individual components obtained by the processes described below.

For the sake of simplicity only one enantiomer, i.e., the enantiomer having the natural prostaglandin configuration will be depicted in the description of the process; however, it is to be understood that the racemic and non-racemic mixtures and the individual unnatural enantiomers are also encompassed thereby, they being obtained by starting with the corresponding racemic or non-racemic mixture or unnatural enantiomer.

The natural configurations are represented by the Formula Ia and Ib. The unnatural configurations are represented by the Formula Ia' and Ib'.

The use of the symbol "R" preceding a substituent designates the absolute stereochemistry of that substituent according to the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog rules [see Cahn et al., Angew. Chem. Inter. Edit., vol. 5, p. 385 (1966), errata p. 511; Cahn et al., Angew. Chem., vol. 78p. 413 (1966); Cahn and Ingold, J. Chem. Soc., (London), 1951, p. 612; Cahn et al., Experientia, vol. 12, p. 81 (1956); Cahn J. Chem. Educ., vol. 41, p. 116 (1964)]. Because of the interrelation of the designated substituent with the other substituents in a compound having .alpha. or .beta. prefixes, the designation of the absolute configuration of one substituent fixes the absolute configuration of all substituents in the compound and thus the absolute configuration of the compound as a whole.

For the purpose of this invention, the terms "lower alkyl" or "alkyl" mean a straight or branched alkyl radical of 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Examples of such radicals are methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, t-butyl, i-butyl, sec-butyl, pentyl, hexyl and the like. Lower alkoxy means an --OR radical wherein R is lower alkyl. Halo refers to fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo. Aryl refers to phenyl, naphthyl or the like. Lower alkyl aryl refers to an aryl group having a lower alkyl chain wherein lower alkyl is defined above. Substituted lower alkyl aryl refers to a radical wherein the aryl group of a lower alkyl aryl is substituted with one or more lower alkyl, halo, or lower alkoxy radicals as these latter terms are defined above.

The term "pharmaceutically acceptable, non-toxic salts" refers to those base-derived salts of any compound herein having a carboxylic acid function. These salts are derived from pharmaceutically acceptable, non-toxic inorganic or organic bases.

Salts derived from inorganic bases include sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium, calcium, magnesium, ferrous, zinc, copper, manganous, aluminum, ferric, manganic salts and the like. Particularly preferred are the ammonium, potasisum, sodium, calcium and magnesium salts. Salts derived from pharmaceutically acceptable organic, non-toxic bases include salts of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines, substituted amines including naturally occurring substituted amines, cyclic amines and basic ion exchange resins, such as isopropylamine, trimethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, tripropylamine, ethanolamine, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, 2-diethylaminoethanol, tromethamine, dicyclohexylamine, lysine, arginine, histidine, caffeine, procaine, hydrabamine, choline, betaine, ethylenediamine, glucosamine, methylglucamine, theobromine, purines, piperazine, piperidine, N-ethylpiperidine, polyamine resins and the like. Particularly preferred organic non-toxic bases are isopropylamine, diethylamine, ethanolamine, tromethamine, dicyclohexylamine, choline and caffeine.

The acid salts of these compounds, where appropriate to make, are prepared by treating the corresponding free acids of the compounds with at least one molar equivalent of a pharmaceutically acceptable base. Representative pharmaceutically acceptable bases are sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, trimethylamine, lysine, caffeine, and the like. The reaction is conducted in water, alone or in combination with an inert, water-miscible organic solvent, at a temperature of from about 0.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C., preferably at room temperature. Typical inert, water-miscible organic solvents include methanol, ethanol, or dioxane. The molar ratio of compounds of Formula I to base used are chosen to provide the ratio desired for any particular salt.

The numbering of these compounds follows that in use for the naturally occuring PGE and PGF compounds, illustrated as follows: ##STR6##

For analytical purposes, in this disclosure a carbon of a particular intermediate is identified by the number it will have in the final product, i.e., Formula I. Thus, for example, in formula 8 in the Reaction Scheme below, the carbon on which the R.sup.2 ether group is substituted is designated C-9 as that is the numbering of that carbon in Formula I.

The compounds of the present invention exhibit prostaglandin-like biological activities and thus are used in the treatment of mammals where the use of prostaglandins is indicated. The compounds of the present invention are useful for the control of asthmatic attack because they are bronchodilators and they also exhibit anti-allergic properties by inhibition of mediator release. In addition, they are also useful in treating mammals for bronchial spasm or wherever bronchodilators are indicated. The compounds also exhibit vasodilator properties and are useful in controlling or palliating hypertension in mammals and they further exhibit central nervous system depressant activity in mammals, and are useful as sedatives.

The compounds of this invention also significantly reduce intraocular pressure without the adverse side effects of natural prostaglandins. PGE.sub.1 and PGE.sub.2  both cause a transitory rise in intraocular pressure when first administered. Administration of PGE.sub.1 and PGE.sub.2, even at low doses, results in severe eye irritation, the irritation response including red, swollen and watery eyes. The animals so-tested kept their eyes shut tightly for about 30 minutes and would rub them at intervals.

The compounds of this invention do not induce the above-described adverse reactions, having the following unique properties over known prostaglandins for treatment of elevated intraocular pressure or glaucoma: e.g., they do not demonstrate a transient increase in intraocular pressure at the time of administration in test animals; they do not cause eye irritation in test animals and in humans; they are significantly more active in lowering intraocular pressure; and they are significantly more stable in aqueous solution, thus allowing preparation of aqueous ophthalmic formulations.

The present compound can be administered in a wide variety of dosage forms, either alone or in combination with other pharmaceutically compatible medicaments in the form of pharmaceutical compositions suited for oral, parenteral or ophthalmic administration or inhalation in the case of bronchodilators. The pharmaceutical carrier can be either a solid material, liquid or aerosol, in which the compound is dissolved, dispersed or suspended, and can optionally contain small amounts of preservatives and/or pH buffering agents.

The liquid compositions can, for example, be in the form of solutions, emulsions, suspensions, syrups, or elixirs. The solid compositions can take the form of tablets, powders, capsules, pills or the like, preferably in unit dosage forms for simple administration or precise dosages. Suitable solid carriers include, for example, pharmaceutical grades of starch, lactose, sodium saccharine, talcum, sodium bisulfite and the like.

The compounds of this invention are typically administered in dosages of about from about 0.01 .mu.g. to about 100 .mu.g. per Kg. of body weight. The precise effective dosage will, of course, vary depending upon the mode of administration, condition being treated and host. Thus, for example, to achieve bronchodilation about 1 .mu.g. to about 10 .mu.g. per Kg. of body weight is administered by aerosol, and to achieve inhibition of gastric secretions about 1 .mu.g. to about 50 .mu.g. per Kg. of body weight is administered orally.

One aspect of this invention concerns a novel method for the treatment of certain ophthalmic diseases in mammals, particularly those diseases associated with or caused by increased intraocular pressure such as for example, glaucoma.

Ophthalmic preparations are sterile products for either topical application to the eyelids or installation into the space (cul-de-sac) between the eyeball and the eyelids. Presently available ophthalmic preparations include solutions, suspensions, and ointments. Presently available topical treatment of eye diseases include topically applied ophthalmic drops, solutions, suspensions or ointment or their subcojunctival injection.

The composition of this invention comprises, as an active ingredient, a compound of this invention or a salt thereof in admixture with an ophthalmologically acceptable excipient.

An excipient is ophthalmologically acceptable if it is non-irritating. It is advantageous if it enables the active ingredient to penetrate the blood-aqueous barrier and/or to difuse to or through the various ocular substructures to the site where it is pharmacologically active.

The ophthalmic composition may be aqueous or non-aqueous, and it may be in the form of a solution, suspension, gel, ointment, slow release polymer, or other. Amount of active ingredient in the composition will vary with the particular formulation and disease state but generally will be between 0.0001 to 1% wt/vol of active ingredient. An individual application dose, preferably about one drop (or about 50 .mu.l), will contain about 0.05 .mu.g to about 1 mg of active ingredient.

Pharmaceutical ophthalmic compositions are typically sterilized aqueous solutions (e.g., eyedrops) containing 0.0001% to 1% wt/vol.; most preferably 0.0002% to 0.02% of the active ingredient, along with suitable buffer system, solubilizer, and preservative. The total concentration of solutes should be such that, the resulting solution is isotonic with the lacrimal fluid by addition of a tonicifier, e.g., NaCl or manitol (though this is not absolutely necessary) and has an equivalent pH in the range of pH 4-8, preferably 5.2. Typical preservatives/sterilants are phenylmercuric acetate, chlorobutanol, thimerosal, and benzalkonium chloride. Typical buffers and salts are based on, e.g., citrate, phosphate or borate; solubilizers include glycerin and polysorbate 80.

The aqueous solutions are formulated by dissolving a compound of the present invention in a solubilizer, adding water, a buffer, a tonicifier and a preservative, adjusting the pH to about 4.0-8.0, making a final volume adjustment with additional water, and sterilizing the preparation using methods known to those in the art.

A process for preparing the compounds and novel intermediates of the present invention is outlined in the following reaction scheme, where R.sup.1 is a base-stabile, acid-labile ether-forming group, R.sup.2 is a base-labile ether-forming radical, R" is either R.sup.1 or R.sup.2 and M is hydrogen or a metal ion, such as an alkali metal ion. ##STR7##

The starting material, formula 1, can be prepared according to the procedures set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,880,712, 3,985,791, and 4,304,907, which procedures are incorporated herein by reference and made a par thereof.

Before opening the lactone ring of formula 1, the two hydroxyl groups are converted to ethers. These two groups are designated R.sup.1 and defined as base-stabile, acid-labile ether-forming groups. Such a group may be any ether-forming group which will not be hydrolyzed when treated with a strong aqueous base such a sodium or potassium hydroxide, yet will be hydrolyzed by acid under mild conditions, conditions which will not result in degradation of the product, Formula I. Examples of groups which are base-stabile yet acid-labile are tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydropyranyl, 2-ethoxyethyl and the like. excluded from this definition are alkkyl ethers, benzyl ether and alkylaryl ethers, and the like. The conditions normally required to effect acid hydrolysis of these latter ethers would cause product degradation during the hydrolysis process, if in fact their hydrolysis would be effected by acid at all.

It is preferred to protect the C-11 and C-15 hydroxyl groups with tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydrofuranyl or 2-ethoxyethyl. Ether formation with any of these groups is generally carried out in an aprotic solvent such as a halogenated hydrocarbon with an acid catalyst using amounts and conditions well known in the art. Most preferably, the ether-forming reagent will be dihydropyran, at least about 2.1 equivalents, the reaction being carried out in methylene chloride in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid. The reaction is generally carried out at between 20.degree.-50.degree. C., preferably at ambient temperature over a period of 15 minutes to four hours preferably about two hours.

Hydrolytic cleavage of the lactone ring is effected by means of a base, preferably an aqueous alkali metal base in a polar organic solvent. An aqueous solution of base such as lighium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or the like, is added to a polar organic solvent containing the lactone, all under an inert atmosphere, e.g. nitrogen. The concentration of the added base preferably will be about 1-4M, more preferably between 2.8-3M. Potassium hydroxide is the preferred base. The aqueous base solution is added under nitrogen to a premade solution of the lactone in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran or a simple alcohol such as methanol. The hydrolysis is effected by heating the solution at reflux under nitrogen, monitoring the reactions's progress by tlc.

The hydroxyl group generated by hydrolysis of the lactone is converted to an ether using a reagent which will give a base-labile ether. This group is designated R.sup.2 and is defined as a base-labile ether-forming group. This group is best examplified by --SiR.sub.4 R.sub.5 R.sub.6 where R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 are alkyl, phenyl or arylalkyl except that at three may not be simultaneously methyl. For the purpose of this invention, alkyl means a radical of 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Arylalkyl is a radical wherein alkyl has the same meansas lower alkyl and aryl is examplified by but not limited to phenyl, alkyl substituted phenyl, and naphthyl. Particularly preferred silyl groups are t-butyldimethylsilyl, triiospropylsilyl, triphenylsilyl, t-butyldiphenylsilyl and 2,4,6-tri-t-butylphenoxydimethylsilyl radicals.

When a silylating agent is employed, standard conditions normally used for such a reagent are used. For example, the reaction is generally carried out in a polar aprotic solvent with an excess of the silylating reagent, 2.2 to 4 equivalents, and an excess relative to the silylating reagent of some nitrogen-containing compound such as imidazole.

Preferably, the imidazole and about 3 equivalents of t-butyldimethylsilyl chloride will be added to dry dimethylformamide solution of the hydroxy acid salt and stirred overnight at about room temperature, completion of the reaction being confirmed by tlc. This reaction gives the silyl ether as well as the silyl ester of the acid salt. Because the silyl ester is not desired, it is hydrolyzed in situ without being isolated by adding water to the reaction pot and then recovering the silyl ether compound in its free acid form.

The resulting free acid, represented by formula 4, is then converted to the aldehyde of formula 7. This can be accomplished by any number of appropriate methods, four of which are set out herein to exemplify the preferred methods. In one instance, formula 4 is esterified to give formula 5 which is then reduced to give the alcohol of formula 6, that being oxidized to the aldehyde of formula 7. A second alternative is to reduce the free acid of formula 4 to the alcohol of formula 6 and then oxidize the alcohol to the aldehyde (formula 7). Alternative three comprises esterifying the free acid of formula 4 and then reducing the ester directly to the aldehyde of formula 7. The fourth alternative is to first convert the free acid to the acid halide (acyl chloride) and then effect a Rosenmund reduction to form the aldehyde.

In the first alternative, the first step is to esterify the free acid by standard esterification procedures using, for example, either an alkyl iodide or a diazoalkane reagent. The words alkyl and alkane here have the same definition as that set forth above for lower alkyl.

When the reagent is an alkyl iodide, preferably methyl iodide, the reaction is carried out in an aprotic solvent such as dimethylformamide or dimethylacetamide containing a weak base such as sodium hydrogen carbonate. A large excess of the alkyl iodide is used, for example about 7-10 equivalents. The reaction is preferably carried out under an inert atmosphere, e.g. nitrogen and at a slightly elevated temperature not to exceed the boiling point of the alkyl iodide employed. If the reagent is methyl iodide, the reaction is preferably carried out at a temperature of about 40.degree.-45.degree. C. A number of hours are usually required to effect the reaction, usually 16 to 24 hours. Completion of the reaction is confirmed by tlc. If the reaction is not complete after the initial reaction period, an additional one equivalent aliquot of the alkyl iodide and a corresponding amount of base are added and the reaction continued as before. This procedure is repeated as often as necessary to complete the reaction.

If a diazoalkane is used, preferably diazomethane, the reaction is carried out using the standard procedures for generating the diazomethane and for reacting it with the free acid. See F. Arndt, Org. Syn. Coll. Vol II, 165 (1943) and H. vonPechmann, Chem. Ber. 27, 1888 (1894) and 28, 855 (1895).

In the second step of the first alternative, reduction of the carboxylic acid ester to the alcohol (formula 6) is effected by a metal hydride such as diisobutylaluminum hydride, lithium aluminum hydride or the like. The reaction is carried out in a solvent compatible with the selected reducing agent and preferably under an inert atmosphere and at a temperature of less than 95.degree. C. for a period of up to about 4 hours.

When the reducing agent is diisobutylaluminum hydride, the reaction is carried out in toluene, benzene or a similar nonpolar solvent. The diisobutylaluminum hydride in toluene is added to a cooled solution (0.degree.-10.degree. C.) of the carboxylic acid ester after which the reaction solution is allowed to come to room temperature wherein the reaction is usually complete after 30-45 minutes. A nominal 2.5 equivalents of diisobutylaluminum hydride is employed to effect the reduction. The reaction is monitored by tlc and, if not complete, additional hydride is added and stirring continued for an another 30 minutes or so. Unreacted hydride is decomposed by adding water and an alkali metal salt such as sodium fluoride or sodium sulfate.

Alternatively, the carboxylic acid ester may be reduced to the alcohol using lithium aluminum hydride in a polar solvent such as ethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran or the like. Lithium aluminum hydride reaction is effected using the same ratio of materials and same reaction conditions as recited above for diisobutylaluminum hydride.

Oxidization of the alcohol to the aldehyde is carried out by means of a mild oxidizing reagent. Any one of a number of mild oxidizing reagents may be used to effect this oxidation but it is preferred to use chromium (VI) trioxide, pyridinium dichromate, pyridinium chlorochromate and the like but preferably chromium trioxide, in the presence of pyridine, hexamethylphosphoric triamide, 3,5-dimethylpyrazole and the like, preferably pyridine, or pyridinium chlorochromate with sodium acetate, and an organic solvent, e.g., dichloromethane, dichloroethane, and the like preferably, dichloromethane or mixtures thereof at a temperature from about -10.degree. C. to about 30.degree. C., preferably about 15.degree. C. to about 25.degree. C., for about 30 minutes to about 2 hours, preferably about 15 minutes to about 45 minutes, to obtain the aldehyde of formula 7. Advantageously, this reaction is carried out under anhydrous conditions under an inert atmosphere, e.g., nitrogen gas.

Alternative two is effected by simply reducing the free acid directly to the alcohol and then oxidizing that compound to the aldehyde of formula 7. The first step, reduction of the acid to the alcohol, is accomplished by means of borane methyl sulfide. In this reaction, the methyl ester is dissolved in a polar solvent, the solution stabilized in a bath at between about 0.degree.-25.degree. C. and the system purged with dry nitrogen. Borane methyl sulfide, about 3 equivalents is then added dropwise with stirring after which stirring is continued for up to about 6 hours, preferably about 3.5 hours to effect the reaction.

Having obtained the alcohol, it is then oxidized to the aldehyde in the manner set forth above for oxidizing formula 6 to formula 7.

The third alternative comprises first esterifying the free acid of formula 4 by the methods described above and then reducing the ester, formula 5, directly to the aldehyde by means of diisobutylaluminum hydride at low temperature. The reaction is effected using the same ratio of reactants given above, but in this instance the reaction is carried out at a temperature of about -70.degree. C. or thereabouts.

In the fourth alternative, the free acid is reduced to the aldehyde by first converting the acid to its acid halide (chloride) and then carrying out a Rosenmund reduction or its equivalent.

Formation of the propargyl alcohols, formula 8, is effected by means of a metal acetylide in an appropriate anhydrous organic solvent such as a halogenated alkane, an ether, a hydrocarbon or the like, preferably under an inert atmosphere such as nitrogen. To a preformed solution of aldehyde in a solvent such as methylene chloride, dichloroethane, tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, toluene or the like, preferably methylene chloride, is added an excess of a metal acetylide reagent, exemplified by ethynyl magnesium chloride, ethynyl magnesium bromide, ethynyl magnesium iodide, lithium acetylidene ethylene diamine complex and ethynyl lithium, under nitrogen. The preferred metal acetylide is ethynyl magnesium chloride. The reaction is carried out at a temperature between 0.degree. and 50.degree. C., preferably between 20.degree.-30.degree. C., until the reaction is complete as confirmed by tlc, usually within 30 minutes, most usually within 5-10 minutes.

The mixture of propargyl alcohol epimers may be separated into fractions containing a single pure propargylic epimer by chromatographic means, for example, silica gel tlc or column chromatography.

Conversion of the propargyl alcohol to the allene may be carried out by any reaction which effects a stereospecific homologation/rearrangement. By this means, a single propargyl alcohol epimer can be converted to a single corresponding allenyl isomer. Herein it is preferred to effect this rearrangement by means of a Claisen type rearrangement employing a trialkyl orthoacetate and a catalytic amount of a low molecular weight alkanoic acid, for example, acetic acid, propionic acid or the like. In this instance, a catalytic amount of acid is some amount less than 5% by volume relative to the volume of trialkyl orthoacetate.

The trialkyl orthoacetates which may be used are illustrated by trimethyl or triethyl orthoacetate and the like. The propargylic alcohol is dissolved in the trialkyl orthoacetate, preferably under nitrogen, along with a catalytic amount of alkanoic acid, usually about a 1% volume relative to the orthoacetate. The orthoester rapidly reacts with the propargyl alcohol to give a mixed trialkylorthoester which is not isolated but caused to rearrange in situ by heating the pot. The reaction flask is immersed in a preheated oil bath, for example one at about 150.degree.-250.degree. C., and stirred for a short period, about 30 minutes while maintaining the pot temperature between about 100.degree.-130.degree. C., preferably between about 110.degree.-120.degree. C. During the heating period, a mixture of orthoacetate and alkanoic acid, in the same ratio noted above, is added to the system while concurrently distilling out of the reaction system an equivalent volume of trialkyl orthoester-alkanol-acid. The reaction bath is preferably maintained at a temperature between about 170.degree.-175.degree. C. during the distillation process. The resulting product is the ester of formula 9.

To obtain the final product, it is necesary to add one carbon between the allene group and the acid function of formula 9 (homologation) in a manner which will not affect the stereochemistry of the allene or other sites on the molecule. The desired homologue is represented by formula 13. This homologation may be accomplished by a number of methods known in the art. The preferred methods employ a strong bases in the last step of the homologation which will simultaneously cleave the R.sup.2 group, giving the compounds of formula 13. Other reaction sequences require treatment with base after the homologue is formed in order to obtain the C-9 hydroxyl group of formula 13.

The alkyl ester generated by the Claisen rearrangement may be homologated by reducing the ester to its corresponding primary alcohol by some appropriate reducing reagent such as a metal hydride, e.g. lithium aluminum hydride, diisobutylaluminum hydride or the like. This alcohol is then converted to some functional group which is a good leaving group and then treated with an alkali metal cyanide, followed by treatment with a strong base to effect hydrolysis of both the nitrile and the R.sup.2 group of C-9.

The leaving group to which the alcohol is converted may be, for example a halo group such as bromo or a sulfonyl ester. The alcohol is converted to the corresponding bromo compound by a variety of methods known in the art. This product is then treated with, for example sodium cyanide to make the nitrile. The nitrile is then hydrolyzed by strong base, which also serves to hydrolyze the R.sup.2 base-labile ether group.

Alternatively, the alcohol is treated with an alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl ester forming reagent in preparation for making the nitrile. Such reagents are preferably methanesulfonyl chloride or p-toluenesulfonyl chloride or a similar sulfonyl halide. The sulfonyl ester is converted to the nitrile by means of an alkali metal cyanide salt, preferably sodium cyanide. This nitrile is then treated with strong base to effect formation of the acid while simultaneously hydrolyzing the R.sup.2 group, which gives the compound of formula 13.

Another alternative is to reduce the ester function of formula 9 to an aldehyde, carry out a Wittig reaction, hydrolyze, and oxidize the resulting homologated aldehyde and then treat the resulting acid with base to effect hydrolysis of the R.sup.2 group. In this sequence, the ester of formula 9 is reduced to its corresponding alcohol and oxided to the aldehyde. Alternatively, the ester may be reduced directly to the aldehyde using diisobutylaluminum hydride at low temperature, e.g. -70.degree. C. The resulting aldehyde is then treated with the phosphorus ylide (phenyl).sub.3 P.dbd.CHOCH.sub.3 and then Hg(OAc).sub.2 /HI to give the aldehyde homologue of formula 12. This aldehyde is treated with a mild oxidizing agent, one like the ones noted herein above, to obtain the protected acid. This protected acid is then treated with a dilute solution of a strong base to effect hydrolysis of the R.sup.2 group. A full description of the base hydrolysis conditions is given herein below.

A third alternative is the Arndt-Eistert synthesis. For example, the ester is converted to the acid halide (chloride) by means of oxalyl chloride or thionyl chloride and then treated with diazomethane to give the diazoketone. The diazoketone is then rearranged to the homologated acid using silver oxide and water. This acid is then treated with base to hydrolyze the R.sup.2 group giving the compound of formula 13.

The preferred method for converting formula 9 to its homologue, formula 13, is to first reduce the ester of formula 9 to its corresponding alcohol, form a sulfonyl ester of the alcohol, treat the sulfonyl ester with an alkali metal cyanide to obtain the nitrile, and convert the nitrile to the acid by base hydrolysis while simultaneously hydrolyzing the R.sup.2 base-labile ether group.

In the preferred sequence, the acid ester of formula 9 is reduced to its corresponding alcohol by means of a metal hydride under anhydrous conditions, preferably under an inert atmosphere. A dry aprotic polar solvent such as absolute diethyl ether or the like is placed under a dry inert atmosphere and a reducing agent, for example a metal hydride such as lithium aluminum hydride (LAH) or the like, is added (2.2 to 4 equivalents) followed by the allenic ester. It is preferred to mix the several reaction ingredients at a reduced temperature, about 0.degree.-15.degree. C., and then reflux the solution for 10-30 minutes or until tlc indicates the reaction is complete.

When reduction is complete, the reaction mixture is again cooled to between 0.degree.-15.degree. C. and excess reagent (LAH) is reacted with a carbonyl-containing compound such as acetone or ethyl acetate thereby moderating subsequent and complete decomposition; complete decomposition follows addition of an aqueous complexing agent such as potassium sodium tartrate or a similar aluminum complex-forming salt.

In order to prepare the nitrile, the primary alcohol made as per the preceeding paragraph is first converted to a alkyl- or arylalkylsulfonyl ester, for example the methanesulfonyl ester or p-toluenesulfonyl ester derivatives. The allenyl alcohol, dissolved in an anhydrous polar organic solvent such as a halogenated alkane, i.e. methylene chloride, dichloroethane and the like is introduced into a reaction flask along with an anhydrous trialkylamine such as triethylamine. The reaction flask is purged with dry nitrogen and the reaction mixture cooled to between about -40.degree. and 25.degree. C. The sulfonyl ester-forming reagent, e.g., methanesulfonyl chloride, dissolved in the anhydrous organic solvent is then added with stirring while maintaining the temperature of the reaction mixture at between about -40.degree. to -20.degree. C., preferably between -30.degree. to -20.degree. C. About a two fold molar excess of the ester-forming reagent is used. When addition of the sulfonyl ester-forming reagent is completed, about 15-30 minutes, the reaction mixture is stirred at between about -30.degree. to -10.degree. C. until the reaction is complete as indicated by tlc. When the reaction is completed, the cooling bath is removed and additional trialkylamine is added, predissolved in the organic solvent. A solution of aqueous sodium bircarbonate or a similar base is then added with vigorous stirring in order to decompose excess ester-forming reagent.

The nitrile is formed by means of an alkali metal cyanide, preferably potassium cyanide. The reaction is carried out in a polar solvent, for example, dimethyl sulfoxide, under an inert atmosphere at a temperature between 50.degree.-120.degree. C. for up to an hour. Dry conditions are preferred.

The metal cyanide, about 5-8 equivalents, is first placed in a flask under an inert atmosphere such as nitrogen. Solvent is added and the flask placed in a bath preheated to about 75.degree.-80.degree. C. The intermediate, dissolved in the reaction solvent, is then added. Heating and stirring is continued for up to 2 hours, preferably 1 hour or until completion of the reaction as indicated by tlc.

Hydrolysis of the nitrile by base gives the acid salt, which may be neutralized to obtain the free acid, and at the same time deprotects the C-9 hydroxy group, which, as noted above is a base-labile ether. These hydrolyses are effected with a dilute solution of a strong base such as one of the alkali metal hydroxide bases, e.g. lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and the like. A dilute solution is one which has a concentration of 0.05 to 2M, preferably about 0.5M. An appropriate solvent is, for example, 2-methoxyethanol or a similar polar solvent which is miscible with water. Preferably, an inert atmosphere is maintained. In terms of temperature and time, the reaction is effected by heatein the solvent to reflux for up to about 72 hours.

Preferably these hydrolyses will be effected by charging a reaction flask with the solvent and reactant, adding the base, predissolved in water, and then purging the system with nitrogen. The reaction mixture is then refluxed for about 60 hours. The cooled reaction mixture is then neutralized before isolation of the 9-hydroxy-1-acid product.

The acid of formula 13 is esterified by the same procedures set forth herein above for esterifying formula 4.

Oxidation of the C-9 hydroxyl group is effected by the mild oxidizing agent such as those set forth herein above in the discussion relating to the oxidation of formula 6. Preferably, the oxidizing reagent will be chromium trioxide (4.5-10 equivalents) and 3,5-dimethylpyrazole or Collins reagent (chromium trioxide and pyridine), the reaction being carried out under an inert atmosphere in a polar aprotic solvent. Reagents are combined with solvent at reduced temperature, about -30.degree. C. to -10.degree. C. with stirring to effect thorough mixing of the reagents. The alcohol is then added in additional solvent, the initial reduced temperature being maintained during the addition and for the remainder of the reaction period, usually about 1 to 2 hours. Preferably the reaction will be carried out in methylene chloride under dry nitrogen for a period of about 1 hour.

Hydrolysis of the C-11 and C-15 blocking groups is effected by acid, for example, a alkanoic acid of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, referred to as a volatile fatty acid (VFA), or a hydrogen halide.

When acetic acid is used, standard procedures well known in the art may be used. For example, the standard hydrolysis procedure uses acetic acid and a polar solvent such a tetrahydrofuran or the like. The alkyl ester, glacial acetic acid, water and organic solvent are mixed in a flask under nitrogen and heated at low temperature, between about 20.degree.-60.degree. C., preferably 40.degree. C. for up to 16 hours, preferably 12 hours.

Alternatively, hydrolysis of the ether groups may be effected by a hydrogen halide, preferably an aqueous solution of the acid dispersed in a water immiscible solvent, preferrably with a scavenging agent to react with the released blocking groups, the reaction being effected at a temperature between -40.degree. to 50.degree. C. over a period of about 5 minutes to 4 hours. This method comprises stirring an aqueous solution of hydrogen halide with a water immiscible solvent in which the intermediate has been dissolved. The hydrogen halide may be hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen bromide or hydrogen iodide. The acid should be present in a slight molar excess, for example about at least 2.05 equivalent of acid, though the reaction can be effected by using a large excess of acid, i.e. up to 10 equivalents or more. Preferably 2.05 to 3.0 equivalents will be used, most preferably about 2.5 equivalents. Any water immiscible organic solvent may be used but it is preferred to use a halogenated hydrocarbon such as, for example, methylene chloride, dichloroethane and the like. To trap the released blocking group, a reactive scavenging material is added to the reaction mixture. This scavenging material is preferably a mercaptan, for example mercaptoethanol. The scavenging material is present in an amount of 2.0 to 3.0 equivalents, preferably about 2.0 equivalents. The reaction is complete in about 30-60 minutes at a temperature between about -30.degree. to 50.degree. C., preferably room temperature.

The compound of formula 19 is formed by dehydration of formula 18 using aqueous acid. Any mineral acid or water-soluble organic acid will effect this dehydration but it is preferred to use acetic acid herein. The compound is dissolved in an aqueous solution containing excess acid. The solution may then be heated to accelerate the dehydration, for example to about 65.degree. C., for a period sufficient to effect complete dehydration. Usually the reaction is effected overnight. The product is then recovered by conventional means.

The 15.alpha.-hydroxy group is then protected by an acid-labile ether-forming group, using the same reactants and conditions described above for converting formula 1 to formula 2, in this instance to give formula 20.

A nucleophilic addition reaction is then carried out to add the Y substituent at position 11. Preferably, the addition reaction will employ a LiCuY.sub.2 reagent (such as lithium dimethyl cuprate, lithium diphenyl cuprate, or lithium-di-o-methoxyphenyl cuprate), the reaction being carried out under an inert atmosphere in a dry solvent at a reduced temperature. Preferably the reaction will be effected by first forming the LiCuY.sub.2 reagent under dry nitrogen in dry diethyl ether, then cooling that solution to about -75.degree. C. and then adding the prostaglandin (formula 20) in additional dry diethyl ether. The temperature is then maintained at the reduced temperature until the reaction is complete, approximately 3 to 8 hours, to give formula 21.

The C-15 hydroxyl protecting group is then removed by acid, by following one of the two methods set out herein above for deprotecting formula 15 or 16, to yield Formula I.

To further illustrate and exemplify the practice of this invention, the following non-limiting Examples are provided. ahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-phenoxy-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)aceti c acid lactone

A 1 liter round bottom flask equipped with a magnetic stirring bar and Drierite.RTM. drying tube was charged with 16.5 g of (1.alpha.,4.alpha.-dihydroxy-3.beta.-(3.alpha.-hydroxy-4-phenoxy-1(E)-bute n-1-yl)-cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)acetic acid lactone, 500 ml of methylene chloride, 8.8 ml of dihydropyran and a few crystals of p-toluenesulfonic acid.H.sub.2 O. This mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. Two drops of triethylamine were added and the solution stirred for 2 minutes. The reaction mixture was washed with 1.times.50 ml of saturated aqueous sodium chloride and dried over sodium sulfate. Evaporation of the solvent gave a residue which was taken up in a minimum amount of ethyl acetate and charged onto a 7.5 cm diameter column filled with 500 g of silica gel packed in pure hexane. The column was then eluted with a gradient of 20% to 40% ethyl acetate in hexane. Appropriate fractions were combined and stripped to dryness to afford the title compound.

Proceeding in a similar manner, but substituting for the starting compound in the preceding paragraph the appropriately substituted phenoxylactone, the following compounds may be prepared: rahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)cyclopen t-2.alpha.-yl)acetic acid lactone; rahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-fluorophenoxy)-1(E)-butene-1yl)cyclopent-2.alpha .-yl)acetic acid lactone; rahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-fluorophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent-2.alph a.-yl)acetic acid lactone; rahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-fluorophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent-2.alph a.-yl)acetic acid lactone; rahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-chlorophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent-2.alph a.-yl)acetic acid lactone; rahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-chlorophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent-2.alph a.-yl)acetic acid lactone; (1.alpha.-hydroxy-4.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-3.beta.-(3.alpha.-(te trahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-chlorophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent-2.alp ha.-yl)acetic acid lactone; rahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-bromophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent-2.alpha .-yl)acetic acid lactone; rahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-bromophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent-2.alpha .-yl)acetic acid lactone; rahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-bromophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent-2.alpha .-yl)acetic acid lactone; rahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-methylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent-2.alph a.-yl)acetic acid lactone; rahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-methylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent-2.alph a.-yl)acetic acid lactone; (1.alpha.-hydroxy-4.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-3.beta.-(3.alpha.-(te trahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-methylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent-2.alp ha.-yl)acetic acid lactone; (1.alpha.-hydroxy-4.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-3.beta.-(3.alpha.-(te trahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-methoxyphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent-2.al pha.-yl)acetic acid lactone; rahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-methoxyphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent-2.alp ha.-yl)acetic acid lactone; and rahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-methoxyphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent-2.alp ha.-yl)acetic acid lactone. (1.alpha.-hydroxy-4.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-3.beta.-(3.alpha.-tet rahydropran-2-yloxy)-4-phenoxy-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)-acet ate

A reaction flask equipped with a magnetic stirrer and reflux condenser topped with a nitrogen inlet was charged with 25 ml of tetrahydrofuran and 5 g of (1.alpha.-hydroxy-4.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-3.beta.-(3.alpha.-(te trahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-phenoxy-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)ace tic acid lactone. The suspension was stirred until the reactant had dissolved during which time the flask was vacuum purged with nitrogen. An aliquot of 3.82 ml of 2.91M KOH/H.sub.2 O was added and the reaction flask again vacuum purged with nitrogen. This solution was then refluxed under nitrogen until the reaction was completed (monitored by tlc). The cooled solution was stripped to dryness, dissolved in 50 ml of toluene and stripped to dryness under vacuum to provide the title compound.

Proceeding in a similar manner, but replacing the starting material with an analog from Example 1, all compounds prepared as per Example 1 are converted to the corresponding potassium salt. .-(3.alpha.-tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-phenoxy-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent-2 .alpha.yl)-acetic acid

A 7.76 g of aliquot of potassium (1.alpha.-hydroxy-4.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-3.beta.-(3.alpha.-(te trahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-phenoxy-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)ace tate was introduced into a reaction flask and 25 ml of dry dimethylformamide added. Imidazole, 4.32 g, was added to the stirred mixture followed by a 4.7 g aliquot of t-butyldimethylsilyl chloride. The reaction was stirred overnight at room temperature after which 5 ml of water was added with vigorous stirring for 30 to 45 minutes. The product was recovered by extraction with diethyl ether, followed by a saturated aqueous sodium chloride wash, after which the solution was dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The residue was further purified by passing it through a 350 ml "C" sintered glass filter funnel packed with 95 g silica gel slurried in 10% v/v ethyl acetate/hexane, the free acid being eluted with 1 L of 10% ethyl acetate/hexane. Appropriate fractions were combined and the solvent removed to give the title compound.

By the same method, the compounds prepared in Example 2 are converted to the corresponding t-butyldimethylsilyl ether compounds. (1.alpha.-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy-4.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-3.bet a.-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-phenoxy-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent -2.alpha.-yl)acetate

Dry dimethylformamide, 80 ml. and 6.24 g of (1.alpha.-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy-4.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-3.bet a.-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-phenoxy-1(E)-buten-1yl)-cyclopent- 2.alpha.-yl)acetic acid, 3.00 g NaHCO.sub.3 and 12.01 g methyl iodide were introduced into a reaction flask equipped with a stirrer and reflux condenser topped with N.sub.2 /vac/septum inlet. The flask was vacuum purged five times with nitrogen and then heated to between 40.degree.-45.degree. C. and stirred overnight. Additional methyl iodide (1.46 g) was added and the reaction continued at 40.degree.-45.degree. C. over a second night. Water, 500 ml, was then added to the reaction mixture which was then extracted with 3.times.50 ml of methylene chloride. The combined methylene chloride layers were further diluted with an equal volume of hexane. The resulting organic layer was washed with water (2.times.50 ml), saturated sodium chloride (1.times.50 ml) and dried over sodium sulfate. Evaporation of the solvent afforded a residue which was further purified by silica gel column chromatography. The silica gel was prepared in 15% ethyl acetate/hexane and the compound eluted with that solvent mixture. Combined fractions were stripped to dryness to give the captioned compound.

Proceeding in the same manner, but substituting for the starting compound named herein, the compounds prepared in Example 3, each compound prepared in that Example may be converted to its methyl ester. .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-phenoxy-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent- 2.alpha.-yl)-2-yl)-2-ethan-1-ol

Into a reaction flask fitted with a N.sub.2 /vac/septum was introduced 53 ml of dry toluene in which was dissolved 5.3 g of methyl (1.alpha.-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy-4.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-3.bet a.-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-phenoxy-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent -2.alpha.-yl)acetate. The reaction was cooled in an ice bath and vacuum purged five times with nitrogen. Using a dry syringe transfer technique, 21.4 ml of diisobutylaluminum hydride, 1.0M in toluene, was placed in an addition funnel and added to the cool reaction solution over about 20 minutes. The ice bath was then removed and the reaction mixture checked by tlc after 30 minutes. If the reaction was not complete an additional 4.28 ml of the hydride solution was added. When reduction was complete, the reaction mixture was diluted with 26 ml of dry hexane and 4.32 g of sodium fluoride powder was added with vigorous stirring. A 1.39 ml aliquot of water was then added with stirring. After an additional 30-40 minutes had elapsed, during which stirring was continued, the reaction solution was filtered through celite and rinsed with 100 ml methylene chloride. The solvent was then stripped off under vacuum and the residue further purified by silica gel column chromatography.

Proceeding in a similar manner, compounds made in Example 4 may be transformed to their corresponding alcohol. .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-phenoxy-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent- 2.alpha.-yl)-2-ethan-1-ol

The following process is an alternative method for making the captioned alcohol.

A 1.08 g aliquot of methyl (1.alpha.-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy-4.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-3.bet a.-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-phenoxy-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent -2.alpha.-yl)acetate was weighed into a round bottom flask equipped with a stirrer and septum/N.sub.2 /vacuum inlet. Dry tetrahydrofuran, 11 ml, was added to dissolve the acetate. The flask was placed in a water bath at about 18.degree.-20.degree. C. and purged five times with dry nitrogen. Then 0.392 ml of borane methyl sulfide was added dropwise over 30 minutes. Stirring was then continued for about 3.5 hours. Methanol, 1 ml, was then added dropwise, gas evolution being controlled by the rate of addition. An additional 5 ml of methanol was then added, the solution then being stirred for another 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was then concentrated. The residue was dissolved in methanol and reconcentrated. The second concentrate was dissolved in 25 ml of diethyl ether and washed with 1.times.5 ml of water, 1.times.5 ml of saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate, 1.times.5 ml of brine and dried over sodium sulfate. This dried solution was filtered and concentrated, giving a colorless oil.

The oil from above was further purified by percolating it through a column of 10 g of silica gel packed wet in 10% ethyl acetate/hexane. The product was eluted with successive portions of 200 ml 10% ethyl acetate/hexane, 200 ml of 20% ethyl acetate/hexane and 200 ml of 30% ethyl acetate/hexane while collecting 20 ml fractions. Fractions 12-30 were combined and the solvent removed in vacuo, giving the captioned product as a colorless oil. .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-phenoxy-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent- 2.alpha.-yl)acetaldehyde

A reaction flask was fitted with an addition funnel and dry nitrogen inlet/outlet valves. 150 ml of anhydrous methylene chloride and 5.96 of anhydrous chromium (VI) trioxide was placed in the flask. The flask was vacuum purged with dry nitrogen and cooled in an ice bath to approximately 15.degree. C. To the flask was then added with vigorous stirring 9.46 g of anhydrous pyridine after which the reaction mixture was stirred vigorously under dry nitrogen at ambient temperature for 30 minutes. Dry celite (5.0 g) was then added under nitrogen followed by 4.7 g of (1.alpha.-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy-4.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-3.bet a.-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-phenoxy-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent -2.alpha.-yl)-2-ethan-1-ol in 18.5 ml of anhydrous methylene chloride. The reaction solution was stirred for 15-20 minutes, or until tlc indicated the reaction was complete, at which time 12.5 g of pulverized sodium hydrogen sulfate monohydrate was added. After an additional 15 minutes of vigorous stirring, the reaction mixture was filtered and the retentate washed with methylene chloride (3.times.50 ml). The combined methylene chloride solution were washed with 3.times.50 ml of water and the aqueous layer back extracted with 2.times.25 ml methylene chloride. The dried (anhydrous sodium sulfate) methylene chloride solution was stripped under vacuum to provide the captioned compound.

By this means, the compounds prepared in the Examples 5 and 6 are converted to their corresponding acetaldehyde as illustrated by the following compounds: .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-1(E)-but en-1-yl-cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)acetaldehyde; .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-fluorophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)- cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)acetaldehyde; .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-fluorophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)- cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)acetaldehyde; .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-fluorophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)- cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)acetaldehyde; .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-chlorophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)- cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)acetaldehyde; .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-chlorophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)- cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)acetaldehyde; .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-chlorophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)- cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)acetaldehyde; .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-bromophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-c yclopent-2.alpha.-yl)acetaldehyde; .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-bromophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-c yclopent-2.alpha.-yl)acetaldehyde; .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-bromophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-c yclopent-2.alpha.-yl)acetaldehyde; .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-methylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)- cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)acetaldehyde; .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-methylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)- cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)acetaldehyde; .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-methylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)- cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)acetaldehyde; .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-methoxyphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl) -cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)acetaldehyde; .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-methoxyphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl) -cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)acetaldehyde; and .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-methoxyphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl) -cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)acetaldehyde. .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-phenoxy-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent- 2.alpha.-yl)acetaldehyde

Alternatively, the captioned aldehyde can be made directly from the methyl ester of Example 4 by means of the following reaction. A 100 mg aliquot of methyl-(1.alpha.-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy-4.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy )-3.beta.-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-phenoxy-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cy clopent-2.alpha.-yl)acetate was weighed into a round bottom flask fitted with a stirrer and septum/N.sub.2 /vacuum inlet. Toluene, 1 ml, was added and the system vacuum purged with N.sub.2 five times. This solution was cooled in a dry ice/isopropanol bath and 0.324 ml of 1M diisobutylaluminum hydride in toluene added was added dropwise over about 8 minutes. This solution was stirred under nitrogen at -78.degree. C. for 2 hours and then diluted with 10 ml of diethyl ether. The cold bath was removed and 4 ml of saturated aqueous ammonium chloride added, the resulting solution being stirred vigorously for 30 minutes and then filtered through celite. The aqueous layer was extracted with diethyl ether, the extracts were combined, dried, and the solvent removed in vacuo to give the aldehyde as an oil.

This reaction may be used to convert any other methyl ester prepared in Example 4 to its corresponding aldehyde, as illustrated by the following compounds: a.-(3.alpha.-tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-hexylphenoxy)-1(E)-butene-1-yl)- cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)acetaldehyde; .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-hexylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-c yclopent-2.alpha.-yl)acetaldehyde; a.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-hexylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent- 2.alpha.-yl)acetaldehyde; .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-hexyloxy-phenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-y l)-cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)acetaldehyde; .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-hexyloxy-phenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-y l)-cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)acetaldehyde; and .-(3.alpha.-tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-hexyloxy-phenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl )-cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)acetaldehyde. .-(3.alpha.-tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-phenoxy-1(E)-butene-1-yl)-cyclopent- 2.alpha.-yl)-1-but-3-yn-2-ol

To a reaction flask fitted with a pressure equalizing addition funnel and dry nitrogen inlet/outlet valves was added 4.65 gm (7.9 mM) of (1.alpha.-t-butyldimethyl-silyloxy)-4.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-3.b eta.-(3.alpha.-tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-phenoxy)-1(E)-butene-1-yl)-cyclop ent-2.alpha.-yl)acetaldehyde in 30 ml of anhydrous methylene chloride. The flask was vacuum purged with dry nitrogen and cooled to approximately 15.degree. C. while stirring vigorously. To this solution was added 90.0 ml of a 1.25M ethynyl magnesium chloride solution in tetrahydrofuran after which the pot as stirred for 5-10 minutes at ambient temperature or until the reaction was complete as indicated by tlc. Then 30 ml of methylene chloride and 50 ml of warm (35.degree. C.) filtered, saturated aqueous ammonium chloride was added and the solution stirred vigorously for 5-10 minutes. A 50 ml aliquot of warm water (35.degree. C.) was added with an additional 5-10 minute stirring time. This solution was then filtered and the retentate washed with 50 ml of methylene chloride and the aqueous layer extracted with 2 additional 15 ml portions of methylene chloride. The combined methylene chloride extracts were mixed with 100 ml of water, the methylene chloride layer being removed and the aqueous layer back-extracted with 20 ml of methylene chloride. The combined methylene chloride solutions were dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered and the solvent removed under reduced pressure to afford the captioned compound as an oily residue.

The individual isomers may be separated as follows: the oil from above was chromatographed on silica gel made up in hexane, the product being eluted with 5%-15% ethyl acetate/hexane in 5% step increments of ethyl acetate. This separation technique afforded two fractions, each comprising a stereochemically pure propargyl alcohol.

A .sup.13 C NMR spectrum was measured for the purified, but unseparated mixture of the two stereoisomers of (1.alpha.,4.alpha.-dihydroxy-3.beta.-(3.alpha.-hydroxy-4-phenoxy-1(E)-bute n-1-yl)-cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)-1-but-3-yn-2-ol and for the two individual isomers after chromatographic separation. The protecting groups at C-9, C-11 and C-15 were hydrolyzed by acid before measuring the NMR spectra. Acid hydrolysis was effected by acetic acid using the conditions and reagents set out below in Example 17 though the reagents and conditions of Example 18 could also be used for this purpose. The spectra were measured in CDCl.sub.3 /CD.sub.3 OD on a Bruker WM 300 spectrometer operating at 75.473 MHz using a spectral width of 18,500 Hz, 40.degree. flip angles and 16K data tables, zero filled to 32K after application of a 1.0 Hz line broadening giving a digital resolution in the frequency domain of 0.03 ppm. Tetramethylsilane was used as the internal standard for all spectra.

The resulting spectral data are set out in the following charts. The chemical shift is given for each carbon in the formula. Numbers 1 to 6 signify the particular carbon in question relative to Formula I. Numbers 17 to 20 signify the oxygen-substituted, ortho, meta and para carbons respectively of the phenoxy moiety. In this Example the first three carbons are not present so there is no chemical shift recorded, designated by the letters NA for "not applicable." The separated isomers are designated "1" and "2" solely for the purpose of identification. ISOMER MIXTURE 1.       NA          11.     76.86, 76.95 2.       NA          12.     55.47, 55.76 3.       NA          13.     130.89 4.       72.68, 73.39 14.     134.86, 134.95 5.       84.38, 85.17 15.     70.90, 70.97 6.       60.65, 61.37 16.     71.65 7.       34.28, 35.71 17.     158.56 8.       45.42, 47.33 18.     114.75 9.       71.84, 71.96 19.     129.56 10.      42.10, 42.19 20.     121.20 ISOMER 1 1.       NA          11.     77.03 2.       NA          12.     55.64 3.       NA          13.     130.70 4.       73.36       14.     134.92 5.       84.27       15.     70.92 6.       60.69       16.     71.64 7.       34.20       17.     158.54 8.       45.55       18.     114.70 9.       71.89       19.     129.56 10.      42.01       20.     121.20 ISOMER 2 1.       NA          11.     76.85 2.       NA          12.     55.82 3.       NA          13.     130.86 4.       72.54       14.     134.86 5.       85.18       15.     70.87 6.       61.36       16.     71.66 7.       35.71       17.     158.57 8.       47.43       18.     114.75 9.       71.94       19.     129.56 10.      42.10       20.     121.21 ______________________________________

By using the same reagents and conditions and repeating the chromatographic separation outlined here, the acetaldehydes prepared in Examples 7 and 8 are converted to the corresponding alcohol and may be separated into the individual stereoisomers. The following list of compounds illustrates some of these compounds: .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-1(E)-but ene-1-yl)-cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)-1-but-3-yn-2-ol; .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-fluorophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)- cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1but-3-yn-2-ol; .-(3.alpha.-tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-fluorophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-c yclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-but-3-yn-2-ol; .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-fluorophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)- cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-but-3-yn-2-ol; .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-chlorophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)- cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-but-3-yn-2-ol; .-(3.alpha.-tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-chlorophenoxy)-1(E)-butene-1-yl)- cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-but-3-yn-2-ol; .-(3.alpha.-tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-chlorophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-c yclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-but-3-yn-2-ol; .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-bromophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-c yclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-but-3-yn-2-ol; .)-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-bromophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)- cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-but-3-yn-2-ol; .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-bromophenoxy)-1(E)-butene-1-yl)c yclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-but-3-yn-2-ol; .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-methylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)- cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-but-3-yn-2-ol; .-(3.alpha.)-tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)4-(o-methylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-c yclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-but-3-yn-2-ol; .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-methylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)- cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-but-3-yn-2-ol; .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-methoxyphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl) -cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-but-3-yn-2-ol; .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-methoxyphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl) -cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-but-3-yn-2-ol; .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-methoxyphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl) -cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-but-3-yn-2-ol; .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-hexylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-c yclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-but-3-yn-2-ol; .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-hexylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-c yclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-but-3-yn-2-ol; .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-hexylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-c yclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-but-3-yn-2-ol; .-(3.alpha.-tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-hexyloxy-phenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl )-cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-but-3-yn-2-ol; .-(3.alpha.-tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-hexyloxy-phenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl )-cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)-1-but-3-yn-2-ol; and .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-hexyloxy-phenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-y l)-cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)-1-but-3-yn-2-ol. 3.beta.-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-phenoxy-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cycl opent-2.alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dienoate

A three necked flask was fitted with a nitrogen inlet needle, pressure equalized addition funnel and vacuum type distillation head fitted with a cold finger condenser. A solution of 3.18 g of one isomer of (1.alpha.-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy-4.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-3.bet a.-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-phenoxy-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent -2.alpha.-yl)-1-but-3yn-2-ol in 18 ml of triethyl orthoacetate, to which was added 0.18 ml of glacial acetic acid, was introduced into the reaction vessel. Dry nitrogen was bubbled through the reaction solution which was heated with stirring in a 170.degree.-175.degree. C. oil bath. Over a period of 30-35 minutes an additional 0.1 ml of glacial acetic acid and 6.0 ml of triethyl orthoacetate was added to the reaction solution. A 6 ml volume of triethyl orthoacetate-ethanol-acetic acid was distilled out of the reaction system after which the hot reaction solution was transferred to a second flask and 12.0 ml of toluene added to the reaction solution. The reagents were then distilled off under reduced pressure to give an oil. Toluene was added to this oil after which the toluene was removed under reduced pressure to afford the captioned compound. The crude allenyl ester was then chromatographed on silica gel eluting with a gradient of hexane to 50% ethyl acetate/hexane to separate the allene from its propargyl alcohol precursor.

Proceeding in the same manner, each of the individual isomers, or an unseparated mixture, of the compounds prepared in Example 7 and 8 are stereospecifically rearranged to their corresponding dieneoate illustrated by the following compounds: a.-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-1(E)-bu ten-1-yl)-cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dienoate; a.-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-fluorophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl) -cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-6-hexa-3,4-dienoate; a.-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-fluorophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl) -cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-6-hexa-3,4-dienoate; a.-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-fluorophenoxy)-1(E)-butene-1-yl )-cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-6-hexa-3,4-dienoate; a.-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-chlorophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl) -cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-6-hexa-3,4-dienoate; a.-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-chlorophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl) -cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-6-hexa-3,4-dienoate; .-(3.alpha.-tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-chlorophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-c yclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-6-hexa-3,4-dienoate; a.-(3.alpha.-tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-bromophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-c yclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-6-hexa-3,4-dienoate; a.-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-bromophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)- cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-6-hexa-3,4-dienoate; a.-(3.alpha.-tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-bromophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-c yclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-6-hexa-3,4-dienoate; a.-(3.alpha.-tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-methylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)- cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-6-hexa-3,4-dienoate; a.-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-methylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl) -cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-6-hexa-3,4-dienoate; a.-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-methylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl) -cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-6-hexa-3,4-dienoate; a.-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-methoxyphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl )-cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-6-hexa-3,4-dienoate; a.-(3.alpha.-tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-methoxyphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl) -cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-6-hexa-3,4-dienoate; a.-(3.alpha.-tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-methoxyphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl) -cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-6-hexa-3,4-dienoate; a.-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-hexylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)- cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-6-hexa-3,4-dienoate; a.-(3.alpha.-tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-hexylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-c yclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-6-hexa-3,4-dienoate; a.-(3.alpha.-tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-hexylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-c yclopent-2.alpha.-yl)1-(6-hexa-3,4-dienoate; -(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-hexyloxy-phenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl )-cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dienoate; a.-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-hexyloxy-phenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1- yl)-cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dienoate; and a.-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-hexyloxy-phenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1- yl)-cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dienoate. .-(3.alpha.-tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-phenoxy-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent-2 .alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dien-1-ol

To a three neck reaction flask fitted with a thermometer, pressure equalization addition funnel, dry nitrogen inlet and vacuum outlet was added 62.5 ml of absolute diethyl ether; the reaction system was then purged using dry nitrogen. There was then added, in portions, under a dry nitrogen atmosphere with stirring, 0.32 g of powdered lithium aluminum hydride. The solution was stirred for 15-20 minutes at ambient temperature and then cooled to about 10.degree. C. A solution of 6.56 g of ethyl-(1.alpha.-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy-4.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy) -3.beta.-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(phenoxy-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cy clopent-2.alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dienoate in 23.5 ml of absolute diethyl ether was added at a rate which maintained the temperature between 10.degree.-15.degree. C. The reaction mixture was then stirred at room temperature until the reduction was complete, then again cooled to about 10.degree. C. and 3.0 ml of acetone added over about 15 minutes after which the reaction pot was stirred for an additional 15  minutes. There was then added dropwise 2.5 ml of saturated aqueous potassium sodium tartrate. When there was no more evolution of hydrogen gas, an additional 29.0 ml of saturated aqueous sodium potassium tartrate was added, the reaction pot being at ambient temperature. The aqueous phase was recovered and extracted with 2.times.25 ml of ethyl acetate. The combined ethereal and ethyl acetate extracts were washed with 35 ml of water. The organic layer was then dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give the title alcohol.

These same reagents and conditions will reduce any of the dienoate compounds prepared in Example 10 above to the corresponding alcohol. .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-phenoxy-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent- 2.alpha.-yl)-6-(1-methansulfonyloxy)hexa-3,4-diene

To a reaction flask fitted with nitrogen inlet/outlet valves and mechanical stirrer was added 7.24 g of (1.alpha.-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy-4.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-3.bet a.-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-phenoxy-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent -2.alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dien-1-ol in 67 ml of anhydrous methylene chloride. To this was added 6.7 ml of anhydrous triethylamine at which time the system was purged with dry nitrogen and cooled to about -30.degree. C. There was added 2.35 g of methanesulfonyl chloride in 13.5 ml of anhydrous methylene chloride over a 15-20 minute period while maintaining the reaction solution at its initial temperature. The reaction mixture was then stirred until the reaction was complete, about 30 minutes. The cooling bath was removed and a solution of 2.0 ml of triethylamine in 20 ml of methylene chloride was added followed by 20 ml of saturated, aqueous sodium bicarbonate. The methylene chloride layer was recovered and the aqueous layer extracted with 2.times.50 ml of methylene chloride. The combined methylene chloride extracts were washed with 20 ml of saturated sodium bicarbonate-water (1:1-V:V). The organic layer was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and solvents removed under reduced pressure to yield the captioned compound.

Proceeding in this manner, but substituting for the recited dienol, any of the other dienols which are prepared by the method of Example 11, such dienols may be converted to their corresponding mesylates. .-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-phenoxy-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent- 2.alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dieno-1-nitrile

To a flask fitted with dry nitrogen inlet/outlet valves was added 4.7 g of potassium cyanide and 16.5 ml of anhydrous dimethylsulfoxide. This mixture was stirred under dry nitrogen at 75.degree.-80.degree. C. for about 30 minutes. There was then added, in one portion, a solution of 8.13 g of (1.alpha.-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy-4.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-3.bet a.-(3.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-phenoxy-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent -2.alpha.-yl)-6-(1-methansulfonyloxy)-hexa-3,4-diene in 20 ml of anhydrous dimethylsulfoxide. The reaction was continued for about 60 minutes in the 60.degree.-80.degree. C. bath in order to effect completion of the reaction. The reaction solution was then cooled to about 40.degree. C. and 5 ml of methylene chloride added. This mixture was then further cooled to ambient temperature and transferred to a separatory funnel containing 120 ml of methylene chloride. The reaction flask was washed with methylene chloride, the washes being transferred to the extraction funnel. The methylene chloride solution of crude nitrile was shaken with 160 ml of water whereupon the upper aqueous phase was recovered and extracted with 3.times.40 ml of methylene chloride. The combined methylene chloride extracts were washed with 120 ml of water. The combined aqueous phases were then again extracted with 40 ml of methylene chloride. All methylene chloride extracts were combined and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered, and the solvent removed under reduced pressure to yield the captioned compound. The crude nitrile was further purified by passing the crude oil through a silica gel column, eluting with a hexane/50% ethyl acetate-hexane gradient to give fractions of the captioned compound.

The other mesylates, or a similar sulfonyl ester, prepared in Example 12 may be converted to their corresponding nitrile by the foregoing method as illustrated by the following compounds: alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1- yl)-cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dieno-1-nitrile; alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-fluorophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclo pent-2.alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dieno-1-nitrile; alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-fluorophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclo pent-2.alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dieno-1-nitrile; alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-fluorophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclo pent-2.alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dieno-1-nitrile; alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-chlorophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclo pent-2.alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dieno-1-nitrile; alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-chlorophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclo pent-2.alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dieno-1-nitrile; alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-chlorophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclo pent-2.alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dieno-1-nitrile; alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-bromophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclop ent-2.alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dieno-1-nitrile; alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-bromophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclop ent-2.alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dieno-1-nitrile; alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-bromophenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclop ent-2.alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dieno-1-nitrile; alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-methylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclo pent-2.alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dieno-1-nitrile; alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-methylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclo pent-2.alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dieno-1-nitrile; alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-methylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclo pent-2.alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dieno-1-nitrile; alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-methoxyphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cycl opent-2.alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dieno-1-nitrile; alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-methoxyphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cycl opent-2.alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dieno-1-nitrile; alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-methoxyphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cycl opent-2.alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dieno-1-nitrile; alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-hexylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclop ent-2.alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dieno-1-nitrile; alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-hexylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclop ent-2.alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dieno-1-nitrile; alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-hexylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclop ent-2.alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dieno-1-nitrile; alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(m-hexylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclop ent-2.alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dieno-1-nitrile; alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(o-hexylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclop ent-2.alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dieno-1-nitrile; and alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-4-(p-hexylphenoxy)-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclop ent-2.alpha.-yl)-6-hexa-3,4-dieno-1-nitrile. 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-16-phen oxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate

A reaction flask fitted with a condenser and nitrogen inlet/outlet valves was charged with 3.47 g of the 1-nitrile from Example 13 dissolved in 37.0 ml of 2-methoxyethanol. To this was added a solution of 0.9 g of potassium hydroxide in 3.1 ml of water after which the system was vacuum purged with dry nitrogen. The reaction was then heated at reflux under nitrogen for approximately 63 hours. The reaction mixture was then cooled to about 50.degree.-60.degree. C. and the solvents removed under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in 5.0 ml of water and transferred to a reaction flask equipped with a pressure equalization addition funnel and pH electrode. The solution was cooled to between 5.degree.-10.degree. C. and cool (10.degree. C.) aqueous hydrochloric acid (1 part conc. HCl to 2 parts water) was added until the pH of the solution was approximately 2. Ethyl acetate/diethyl ether (1:1), 20 ml, was added and the system stirred at ambient temperature. The aqueous phase was recovered and extracted with additional 2.times.20 ml aliquots of ethyl acetate/diethyl ether (1:1). The combined organic layers were washed with 2.times.5 ml of water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and filtered. Solvent was removed under reduced pressure to yield a crude residue of the captioned acid.

At this point the acid may be recovered and purified by conventional means such as by extraction, chromatography and the like.

Alternatively, however, without further purification the crude acid was transferred to a reaction flask in 45 ml of dimethylformamide. To this solution was added 1.65 g of powdered sodium bicarbonate followed by 2.9 ml of methyl iodide.

This solution was stirred at 45.degree. C. for 48 hours or until esterification was completed. The reaction mixture was filtered through celite. The filter cake was washed with 50 ml of methylene chloride and the combined organic solvents were evaporated under reduced pressure to afford an oily residue. This residue was taken up in 65 ml of methylene chloride which was washed with 2.times.15 ml of water. The aqueous layer was back-extracted with methylene chloride which was combined with the other methylene chloride solution, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and filtered. Removal of the solvent afforded a crude methyl ester which was further purified chromatographically on silica gel. Chromatographic purification was effected using a hexane/50% ethyl acetate-hexane gradient, 75% ethyl acetate-hexane and finally ethyl acetate, as needed. Fractions containing the pure methyl ester were combined and the solvent removed under reduced pressure to give the captioned compound.

This procedure will also serve to convert the other nitrile compounds prepared in Example 13 to their corresponding 9-hydroxy-dienoic methyl esters, illustrated by the following compounds: 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-m-trifluo romethylphenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-m-fluorop henoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-o-fluorop henoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-p-fluorop henoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-p-chlorop henoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-o-chlorop henoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-m-chlorop henoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-m-bromoph enoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-o-bromoph enoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-p-bromoph enoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-p-methylp henoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-o-methylp henoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-m-methylp henoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-m-methoxy phenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-m-methoxy phenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-p-methoxy phenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-p-hexylph enoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-o-hexylph enoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-m-hexylph enoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-m-hexylox yphenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-1(E)-buten-1-yl)-cyclopent-2.alpha.-yl) -6-hexa-3,4-dieno-1-nitrile; 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-o-hexylox yphenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(e)-treinoate; 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-p-hexylox yphenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-phenoxy-1 7,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoic acid; 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-o-fluorop henoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoic acid; 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-p-fluorop henoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoic acid; 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-m-fluorop henoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoic acid; 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-m-methylp henoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoic acid; 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-p-methylp henoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoic acid; 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-p-methoxy phenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoic acid; 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-o-methoxy phenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoic acid; and 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-p-methoxy phenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoic acid. 9.alpha.-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-16-phenoxy- 17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate

To a suspension of chromium trioxide (2.66 g) in methylene chloride (100 ml) cooled to about -20.degree. C. was added solid 3,5-dimethylpyrazole (2.58 g) under dry nitrogen. After stirring for approximately 1/2 hour at -20.degree. C., 3.37 g of methyl 9.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-16-phen oxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoatae dissolved in 50 ml of methylene chloride was added. Stirring was continued at the reduced temperature for approximately 1 hour. Silica gel (50 g) was then added and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The impregnated silica gel was charged onto the top of a silica gel column made up in hexane. Recovery and separation of the title compound was effected by a 5%-50% gradient of ethyl acetate in hexane. Compound appropriate fractions were concentrated under reduced pressure to give the title compound.

Proceeding in a similar manner, but substituting the appropriate methyl ester or free acid prepared in Example 14 for the 16-phenoxy-substituted compound herein above, all compounds prepared in Example 14 are converted to their corresponding C-9 oxo compound as illustrated by the following compounds: 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-m-trifluoromethylphe noxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-m-fluorophenoxy-17,1 8,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-o-fluorophenoxy-17,1 8,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-p-fluorophenoxy-17,1 8,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-p-chlorophenoxy-17,1 8,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-o-chlorophenoxy-17,1 8,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-m-chlorophenoxy-17,1 8,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-m-bromophenoxy-17,18 ,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-o-bromophenoxy-17,18 ,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-p-bromophenoxy-17,18 ,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-p-methylphenoxy-17,1 8,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-o-methylphenoxy-17,1 8,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-m-methylphenoxy-17,1 8,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-m-methoxyphenoxy-17, 18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-o-methoxyphenoxy-17, 18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-p-methoxyphenoxy-17, 18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-p-hexylphenoxy-17,18 ,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-o-hexylphenoxy-17,18 ,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-m-hexylphenoxy-17,18 ,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-m-hexylphenoxy-17,18 ,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-o-hexyloxyphenoxy-17 ,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-p-hexyloxyphenoxy-17 ,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; ,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; -17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; -17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; and -17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate. 7,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate

A 0.3 mg aliquot of 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-16-phenoxy-17,18,1 9,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoic acid was dissolved in 10 ml of anhydrous diethyl ether to which was added an excess of diazomethane at room temperature. The reaction was followed by tlc and when complete, the ether and excess diazomethane was removed under vacuum to give the captioned methyl ester. Proceeding in the same manner, all the 9-oxo acid compounds prepared in Example 15 are converted to their corresponding methyl ester as illustrated by the following compounds: 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-m-trifluoromethylphe noxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-m-fluorophenoxy-17,1 8,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-o-fluorophenoxy-17,1 8,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-p-fluorophenoxy-17,1 8,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-p-chlorophenoxy-17,1 8,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-o-chlorophenoxy-17,1 8,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-m-chlorophenoxy-17,1 8,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-m-bromophenoxy-17,18 ,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-o-bromophenoxy-17,18 ,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-p-bromophenoxy-17,18 ,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-p-methylphenoxy-17,1 8,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-o-methylphenoxy-17,1 8,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-m-methylphenoxy-17,1 8,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-m-methoxyphenoxy-17, 18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-o-methoxyphenoxy-17, 18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-bis-(tetrapyran-2-yloxy)-16-p-methoxyphenoxy-17, 18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate. 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-dihydroxy-16-phenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta- 4,5,13(E)-trienoate

A 0.3 mg aliquot of the protected methyl ester of Example 15 was dissolved in a solution of glacial acetic acid (10.0 ml), water (6.0 ml) and tetrahydrofuran (1.7 ml). This reaction mixture was stirred for 12 hours at about 40.degree. C. under dry nitrogen. The solvents were removed under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was subjected to azeotropic distillation with toluene (3.times.10 ml). Further purification was effected on a silica gel column made up in hexane, the product being eluted with 75% ethyl acetate in hexane. Appropriate fractions were combined and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure to give the title compound.

Proceeding in a similar manner, the esters prepared in Examples 15 and 16 are converted to their corresponding dihydroxy compound as illustrated by the following compounds: 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-dihydroxy-16-m-trifluoromethylphenoxy-17,18,19,2 0-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-dihydroxy-16-m-fluorophenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetrano rprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-dihydroxy-16-o-fluorophenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetrano rprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-dihydroxy-16-p-fluorophenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetrano rprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-dihydroxy-16-p-chlorophenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetrano rprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-dihydroxy-16-o-chlorophenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetrano rprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-dihydroxy-16-m-chlorophenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetrano rprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-dihydroxy-16-m-bromophenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranor prosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-dihydroxy-16-o-bromophenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranor prosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-dihydroxy-16-p-bromophenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranor prosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-dihydroxy-16-p-methylphenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetrano rprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-dihydroxy-16-o-methylphenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetrano rprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-dihydroxy-16-m-methylphenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetrano rprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-dihydroxy-16-m-methoxyphenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetran orprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-dihydroxy-16-o-methoxyphenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetran orprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-dihydroxy-16-p-methoxyphenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetran orprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-dihydroxy-16-p-hexylphenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranor prosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-dihydroxy-16-o-hexylphenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranor prosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-dihydroxy-16-m-hexylphenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranor prosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-dihydroxy-16-m-hexyloxyphenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetra norprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-dihydroxy-16-o-hexyloxyphenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetra norprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; and 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-dihydroxy-16-p-hexyloxyphenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetra norprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate.

This procedure may also be used to hydrolytically cleave the ether groups of any of the intermediates set out herein in the foregoing Examples. 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-dihydroxy-16-phenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta- 4,5,13(E)-trienoate

A 500 mg aliquot of the protected methyl ester prepared in Example 15 was dissolved in methylene chloride and 0.1 ml of 48% hydrofluoric acid added with vigorous stirring. There was then added dropwise, 7.5 ml of a methylene chloride solution of mercaptoethanol (17 mg/ml) over 30 minutes. The solution was then neutralized with approximately 0.3 ml of aqueous sodium bicarbonate. Methylene chloride was used to extract the product. The combined extracts were dried with sodium sulfate, the solvent removed under reduced pressure and the product purified using a silica gel column. The column was eluted in steps with 20% ethyl acetate/hexane, 50% and 75% ethyl acetate/hexane and finally ethyl acetate. As in Example 17, all alkyl ester compounds prepared in Examples 15 and 16 may be hydrolyzed by the foregoing procedure.

Individual alkyl 9-oxo-11.alpha.,15.alpha.-dihydroxy-16-phenoxy-trienoate isomers were prepared by taking a single propargyl alcohol isomer as prepared in Example 9 and carrying that single isomer through the subsequent steps as set out in Examples 10-18. 9-oxo-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-phenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-te traenoate

A 4.91 g. sample of the methyl ester from Example 18 was dissolved in a solvent made up of 286 ml of glacial acetic acid and 32 ml of water. This solution was heated at 65.degree. C. overnight. The solvents were then stripped off under reduced pressure. Toluene, 25 ml, was then added and stripped off under vacuum, this procedure being repeated twice. The resulting residue was vacuum dried yielding an oil. This oil was partitioned between 330 ml of diethyl ether and 83 ml of water. The organic layer was washed with brine and dried over sodium sulfate. The ether was stripped off and the resulting oil percolated through silica gel prepared in 20% ethyl acetate/hexane. This column was then eluted with 20% ethyl acetate/hexane (600 ml) 25% ethyl acetate/hexane (2000 ml) 30% ethyl acetate/hexane (500 ml) and 35% ethyl acetate/hexane (500 ml). Combination of appropriate fractions gave the title compound as a colorless oil after the solvent had been removed. 9-oxo-15.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-16-phenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorp rosta-4,5,10,13(E)-tetraenoate

A 250 ml round bottom flask equipped with a magnetic stirring bar and Drierite.RTM. drying tube was charged with 6.30 g of the compound from Example 19 in 90 ml of dry tetrahydrofuran. To this was added 36 ml of dihydropyran and 60 ml of p-toluene sulfonic acid.sup..about. H.sub.2 O. This mixture was stirred at room temperature for approximately one hour at which time 600 mg of powdered sodium bicarbonate was added. This mixture was stirred for approximately 15 minutes whereupon 300 ml of water and 100 ml of ethyl acetate were added. The ethyl acetate layer was recovered and the aqueous layer extracted twice more with 30 ml of ethyl acetate. The combined organic layers were washed with 30 ml of saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate, 2.times.30 ml of water and 1.times.60 ml of brine. The ethyl acetate was then dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to give a yellow oil. This oil was further purified on a silica gel column packed wet in 10% ethyl acetate/hexane. The title product was eluted using 2600 ml of 10% ethyl acetate/hexane followed by 2400 ml of 20% ethyl acetate hexane. Appropriate fractions were combined and concentrated to give the title compound as a light colored oil. 9-oxo-11.alpha.-methyl-15.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-16-phenoxy-17,1 8,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate

A 7.72 g aliquot of cuprous iodide was weighed into a 500 ml three-necked round bottom flask fitted with mechanical stirrer, thermometer, and addition funnel topped with a nitrogen/vacuum septum cap. The flask was then flushed with nitrogen with the application of gentle heat. Then 150 ml of dry diethyl ether was added. This slurry was cooled in an icewater bath and vacuum purged with nitrogen five times. The addition funnel was then charged with a solution of 51.5 ml of 1.56M methyl lithium in diethyl ether. This solution was slowly added to the reaction flask with stirring, to give the LiCuY.sub.2 reagent. Once the methyl lithuim solution addition was complete, the addition funnel was washed with ethyl acetate before charging the funnel with starting material. The reaction solution was cooled to a -75.degree. C. at which time 6.0 g of the compound of Example 20 dissolved in 20 ml of dry diethyl ether was charged to the addition funnel under nitrogen. This solution was slowly added to the reaction flask with stirring over approximately 30 minutes while maintaining a solution at approximately -75.degree. C. Once addition was complete, the reaction mixture was stirred for approximately four more hours at -75.degree. C.

The cold bath was then removed and approximately 250 ml of aqueous ammonium chloride/ammonium hydroxide (1000 ml saturated aqueous ammonium chloride plus 30 ml concentrated ammonium hydroxide). The solution was stirred vigorously for a short period and then transferred to a separatory funnel. The organic layer was washed with approximately 350 ml of the same ammonium chloride/ammonium hydroxide solution after which the aqueous phase was additionally extracted two 50 ml volumes of diethyl ether. The combined organic phases were washed with 1.times.50 ml of the ammonium chloride/ammonium hydroxide solution, 2.times.50 ml water and 1.times.50 ml brine. The ethereal layer was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated under vacuum to give a colorless oil.

Similarly, by following the procedure of Example 21, Part A, and substituting for methyl lithium the following material:

there is obtained:

which are in turn employed as the LiCuY.sub.2 reagent to give the following compounds of formula 21: 9-oxo-11.alpha.-ethyl-15.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-16-phenoxy-17,18 ,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate, 9-oxo-11.alpha.-phenyl-15.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-16-phenoxy-17,1 8,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate, 9-oxo-11.alpha.-(o-methoxyphenyl)-15.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-16-p henoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate, 9-oxo-11.alpha.-(m-trifluoromethylphenyl)-15.alpha.-(tetra-hydropyran-2-yl oxy)-16-phenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate, 9-oxo-11.alpha.-(p-methylphenyl)-15.alpha.-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-16-ph enoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate, 9-oxo-11.alpha.-methoxy-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-phenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorp rosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate

A 6.21 g sample of the compound of Example 21 dissolved in 27.7 ml of tetrahydrofuran was charged to a round bottom flask to which was added 221.5 ml of glacial acetic acid and 110.8 ml of water. This solution was stirred at room temperature overnight. The volatile solvents were stripped off under vacuum. Residual solvents were removed by twice adding 100 ml toluene and evaporating the solution under vacuum. This process yielded an oil which was further purified on silica gel packed wet in 10% ethyl acetate/hexane. The product was eluted stepwise from the silica gel using the following stepped increments of ethyl acetate/hexane: 10%, 12%, 14%, 18%, 20%, 25%, and 30% of ethyl acetate/hexane. Appropriate fractions were combined and stripped of solvent to give an oil. This oil was then taken up in diethyl ether and placed on a silica gel column packed in 100% redistilled hexane. This column was treated with 250 ml of 100% redistilled hexane followed by 250  ml of 100% redistilled ethyl acetate. The captioned product was obtained in the ethyl acetate eluent, the solvent being removed under vacuum to give on oil.

Following the procedure of Example 22, Part A, but substituting compounds made by the steps set forth herein, the following compounds are made: 9-oxo-11.alpha.-methyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-m-fluorophenoxy-17,18,19,20-te tranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.-methyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-o-fluorophenoxy-17,18,19,20-te tranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.-methyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-p-fluorophenoxy-17,18,19,20-te tranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.-methyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-p-chlorophenoxy-17,18,19,20-te tranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.-methyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-o-chlorophenoxy-17,18,19,20-te tranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.-methyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-m-chlorophenoxy-17,18,19,20-te tranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.-methyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-m-bromophenoxy-17,18,19,20-tet ranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.-methyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-o-bromophenoxy-17,18,19,20-tet ranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.-methyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-p-bromophenoxy-17,18,19,20-tet ranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.-methyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-p-methylphenoxy-17,18,19,20-te tranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.-methyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-o-methylphenoxy-17,18,19,20-te tranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.-methyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-m-methylphenoxy-17,18,19,20-te tranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.-methyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-m-methoxyphenoxy-17,18,19,20-t etranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.-methyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-o-methoxyphenoxy-17,18,19,20-t etranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.-methyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-p-methoxyphenoxy-17,18,19,20-t etranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.-methyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-p-hexylphenoxy-17,18,19,20-tet ranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.-methyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-o-hexylphenoxy-17,18,19,20-tet ranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.-methyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-m-hexylphenoxy-17,18,19,20-tet ranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.-methyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-m-hexyloxyphenoxy-17,18,19,20- tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.-methyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-o-hexyloxyphenoxy-17,18,19,20- tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.-methyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-p-hexyloxyphenoxy-17,18,19,20- tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.-ethyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-phenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorpro sta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate, 9-oxo-11.alpha.-phenyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-phenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorpr osta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate, 9-oxo-11.alpha.-phenyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-p-methylphenoxy-17,18,19,20-te tranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate; 9-oxo-11.alpha.-(o-methoxyphenyl)-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-phenoxy-17,18,19,20 -tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate, 9-oxo-11.alpha.-(m-trifluoromethylphenyl)-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-phenoxy-17, 18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate, and 9-oxo-11.alpha.-(p-methylphenyl)-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-phenoxy-17,18,19,20- tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate.

This example illustrates the effect of compounds of the current invention on eye irritation.

Each compound was tested individually on a single animal by administering, at the same time, into one eye of the animal the ophthalmic solution with the test compound as an active ingredient and to the other eye only vehicle opthalmic solution. Irritation, if any, caused by test compound was compared to the non-irritating effect of the vehicle ophthalmic solution applied to the other eye. Irritation was measured by the number of blinks of each eye during the same time period. The assay was performed on rabbits.

Ophthalmic solution of methyl 9-oxo-11.alpha.-methyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-hydroxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorpr osta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate were prepared at the concentrations of 0.001% to 0.2%. One drop of the test ophthalmic solution was administered directly into the conjuctival sack of the rabbit's left eye. At the same time one drop of vehicle was administered to the conjunctival sack of the rabbit's right eye.

Irritation of each eye was measured by counting the number of blinks for one minute after the application. The results were expressed as the mean number of blinks .+-. standard error per eye. The mean number of blinks/minute were averaged for the vehicle treatment and compared to the drug treated eye.

The compounds of this invention did not elicit any irritation of the eyes in any of the three species at any concentration which was used for testing (i.e., 0.001-0.2%) and their effects were comparable to the effect of the vehicle ophthalmic solution without any drug added.

This example illustrates the effect of compounds of the current invention on introacular pressure (IOP).

Two groups of normal albino white New Zealand rabbits were used for this study.

At time 0, intraocular pressure of both eyes of each animal in control and experimental groups was determined.

All animals received the treatment either with saline (control group) or the tested compound (experimental group) immediately after 0 hour intraocular pressure reading. Control group received 50 .mu.l of vehicle in both eyes. Experimental animals received 50 .mu.l of vehicle in the left eyes and 50 .mu.l of the test solution in the right eyes.

Intraocular pressure was measured at 30 minutes, 1, 2, and 4 hours.

The effects of tested drug on intraocular pressure of the rabbit was determined using a Digilab Model 30D pneuma-tonometer. Initial IOP readings were obtained in all animals after the administration of 50 .mu.l of 0.5% Opthaine (proparacaine hydrochloride). A group of 4 rabbits served as controls and were tested with 50 .mu.l of saline in both eyes. Eight additional rabbits received 50 .mu.l of test drug in the right eye, and 50 .mu.l of drug vehicle was administered in the contralateral left eye. IOP readings were made 30 minutes, 1 hours, 2 hours, and 4 hours after drug administration. Rabbits were observed for any signs of ocular irritation.

This procedure permitted the comparison of drug treated eye with the contralateral vehicle treated eye, and also with saline treated eye. For purposes of statistical analysis comparisons were made between the drug treated IOP values and vehicle treated contralateral eyes and also the saline treated IOP values.

Results summarized in Table I show that the administration of a 0.01% solution of methyl 9-oxo-11.alpha.-methyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-hydroxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorpr osta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate decreased significantly intraocular pressure in the right (treated) eyes of the experimental group. __________________________________________________________________________ Measurement of Intraocular Pressure In Normal White Albino New Zeal and Rabbits __________________________________________________________________________ PGE.sub.2 0.025% (RS-5803) 0 hr     1/2 hr 2.5 hr    4 hr   5 hr __________________________________________________________________________ Control 21.75 .+-. .53* 23.63 .+-. .65 22.75 .+-. 1.05 21.63 .+-. .50 24.63 .+-. .93 RS-5803 21.00 .+-. .85 47.63 .+-. 1.28 18.38 .+-. .82 16.00 .+-. .73 16.63 .+-. .38 Vehicle 20.38 .+-. .84 19.75 .+-. 1.24 19.38 .+-. .84 20.50 .+-. .76 23.38 .+-. .60 __________________________________________________________________________ PGE.sub.1 0.01% (RS-7572) 0 hr   1/2 hr 1 hr   2 hr   4 hr   6 hr __________________________________________________________________________ Control 20.38 .+-. 6.0 19.38 .+-. .46 20.50 .+-. .98 19.50 .+-. 1.28 20.75 .+-. 1.13 21.75 .+-. .56 RS-7572 20.67 .+-. 1.09 38.17 .+-. 1.28 31.17 .+-. .91 15.33 .+-. .56 16.33 .+-. 1.17 19.00 .+-. 1.03 Vehicle 21.33 .+-. 1.69 19.10 .+-.  .78 19.33 .+-. .67 18.17 .+-. .70 23.33 .+-. 1.82 22.83 .+-. .95 __________________________________________________________________________ methyl 9-oxo-11.alpha.-methyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy- 16-hydroxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate, 0.2% (RS-18492) 0 hr     1/2 hr 1 hr      2 hr   4 hr __________________________________________________________________________ Control 22.88 .+-. .69 23.50 .+-. .60 22.50 .+-. .73 22.75 .+-. 1.93 21.75 .+-. 1.13 RS-18492 23.75 .+-. .53 19.25 .+-. .49 18.88 .+-. .64 18.75 .+-. .45 19.88 .+-. .35 Vehicle 22.75 .+-. .68 20.50 .+-. .91 21.00 .+-. .80 20.38 .+-. .63 19.50 .+-. .50 __________________________________________________________________________ methyl 9-oxo-11.alpha.-methyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy- 16-hydroxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorprosta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate, 0.02% (RS-18492) 0 hr     1/2 hr 1 hr      2 hr   4 hr __________________________________________________________________________ Control 21.75 .+-. .80 20.00 .+-. .66 20.00 .+-. .82 17.63 .+-. .50 19.00 .+-. .42 RS-18492 21.63 .+-. .71 18.13 .+-. .44 17.25 .+-. .59 16.63 .+-. .78 18.75 .+-. .68 Vehicle 21.25 .+-. .82 20.38 .+-. 1.00 19.00 .+-. .57 17.63 .+-.  1.10 19.25 .+-. .90 __________________________________________________________________________ *Intraocular pressure is expressed in mmHg. Each number represents the average of IOP from 4 eyes.

The following illustrates preparation of representative pharmaceutical formulations for ophthalmic solutions containing an active compound of Formula I, e.g., methyl 9-oxo-11.alpha.-methyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-hydroxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorpr osta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate. Ingredient         Amount ______________________________________ Active compound    0.0001 to 1.0% wt/vol. Mixed with: Solubilizer        0.1 to 2.0% wt/vol. Followed by the addition of: Purified Water     q.s. to dissolve ingredients Tonicifier         0 to 1.5% wt/vol. Buffer             0.005 to 0.1% wt/vol. Preservative       0.0005 to 1.5% wt/vol. Adjust the pH by addition of: Acid or Base       q.s. to adjust pH to 5.0-8.0 Then make up the final volume by addition of: Purified Water     q.s. to 100% ______________________________________

Other compounds of Formula I, such as those prepared in accordance with Examples 1-22, can be used as the active compound in the preparation of ophthalmic formulations per this Example.

The following illustrates representative pharmaceutical formulations for ophthalmic solutions containing an active compound of Formula I, e.g., methyl 9-oxo-11.alpha.-methyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-hydroxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorpr osta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate. Ingredient       Amount ______________________________________ Active compound  0.0001 to 1.0 to % wt/vol. Polysorbate 80   0.1 to 2.0% wt/vol. NaCl             0.05 to 1.5% wt/vol. Glacial Acetic Acid 0.005 to 0.1% wt/vol. Thimerosal       0.0005 to 0.01% wt/vol. Purified Water   q.s. to dissolve ingredients NaOH or HCl      q.s. to adjust pH to 4.0-8.0 Purified Water   q.s. to 100% ______________________________________

Other compounds of Formula I, such as those prepared in accordance with Examples 1-22, can be used as the active compound in the preparation of ophthalmic formulations per this Example.

The following illustrates a preferred pharmaceutical formulation for an ophthalmic solution containing an active compound of Formula I, preferably, methyl 9-oxo-11.alpha.-methyl-15.alpha.-hydroxy-16-hydroxy-17,18,19,20-tetranorpr osta-4,5,13(E)-trienoate. Ingredient       Amount ______________________________________ Active Compound  0.002% wt/vol Polysorbate 80   1.0% wt/vol NaCl             0.9% wt/vol Glacial Acetic Acid 0.03% wt/vol Thimerosal       0.004% wt/vol Purified Water   q.s. to dissolve ingredients NaOH or HCl      adjust pH to 5.2 Purified Water   q.s. to 100% ______________________________________

Other compounds of formula I, such as those prepared in accordance with Examples 1-22, can be used as the active compound in the preparation of ophthalmic formulations per this Example.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the specific embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, material, composition of matter, process, process step or steps, to the objective, spirit and scope of the present invention. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

## Claims

1. A compound of the formula ##STR8## or a stereoisomer or a mixture thereof, wherein: R is hydrogen, lower alkyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable, non-toxic salt of the compound wherein R is hydrogen; ##STR9## where Z is hydrogen, methyl, methoxy or trifluoromethyl; and the wavy lines represent the .alpha. or .beta. configuration with the proviso that when one wavy line is .alpha. the other is .beta..

2. The compound of claim 1 represented by the structure: ##STR10## or the enantiomer, or a mixture thereof.

3. The compound of claim 1 represented by the structure: ##STR11## or the enantiomer, or a mixture thereof.

4. A method for lowering intraocular pressure, which method comprises administering to the eye a pharmaceutically acceptable composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and a compound of the formula ##STR12## or a stereoisomer or a mixture thereof, wherein: R is hydrogen, lower alkyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable, non-toxic salt of the compound wherein R is hydrogen; ##STR13## where Z is hydrogen, methyl, methoxy or trifluorophenyl; and the wavy lines represent the .alpha. or .beta. configuration with the proviso that when one wavy line is .alpha. the other is .beta..

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the compound is represented by the structure: ##STR14## or the enantiomer, or a mixture thereof.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the compound is represented by the structure: ##STR15## or the enantiomer, or a mixture thereof.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein said compound is 0.02 to 0.0002% wt/vol of said pharmaceutically acceptable composition.

8. An ophthalmic formulation comprising an ophthalmically acceptable excipient and a compound of the formula ##STR16## or an isomer or a mixture thereof, wherein: R is hydrogen, lower alkyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable, non-toxic salt of the compound wherein R is hydrogen; ##STR17## where Z is hydrogen, methyl, methoxy or trifluoromethyl; and the wavy lines represent the .alpha. and .beta. configuration with the proviso that when one wavy line is .alpha. the other is .beta..

9. The formulation of claim 8, at a pH of 4.0 to 8.0, comprising: said compound     0.0001 to 1.0% wt/vol. solubilizer       0.1 to 2.0% wt/vol. buffer            0.005 to 0.1% wt/vol. preservative      0.0005 to 1.5% wt/vol. purified Water    q.s. to 100%. ______________________________________

10. The formulation of claim 8 comprising: said compound    0.0001 to 1.0 to % wt/vol. Polysorbate 80   0.1 to 2.0% wt/vol. NaCl             0.05 to 1.5% wt/vol. Glacial Acetic Acid 0.005 to 0.1% wt/vol. Thimerosal       0.0005 to 0.01% wt/vol. Purified Water   q.s. to dissolve ingredients NaOH or HCl      q.s. to adjust pH to 5.0-7.0 Purified Water   q.s. to 100%. ______________________________________

11. The formulation of claim 8 comprising: said compound    0.0002% wt/vol. Polysorbate 80   1.0% wt/vol. NaCl             0.9% wt/vol. Glacial Acetic Acid 0.03% wt/vol. Thimerosal       0.004% wt/vol. Purified Water   q.s. to dissolve ingredients NaOH or HCl      q.s. to adjust pH to 5.2 Purified Water   q.s. to 100%. ______________________________________

12. The formulation of claim 11 wherein said compound comprises: ##STR18## where Y is methyl.

13. A compound represented by the structure: ##STR19## where Y is methyl.