TETRAHYDRO-FLUORENE COMPOUNDS, PROCESSES FOR THEIR PREPARATION AND PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS THEREOF

Abstract: The invention relates to novel [(5,6,9a-substituted-3-­ oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]alkanoic and cycloalkanoic acid esters, analogs, the parent acids and their salts, and derivatives. These compounds are synthe­ sized by methods selected from a number of synthetic routes depending on the particular structure, choice of intermediate or preferred reaction sequence. The com­ pounds are useful in the treatment and prevention of injury to the brain and spinal chord due to accidents, ischemic stroke and hydrocephalus; compositions for such uses are also disclosed.

Description: TETRAHYDRO-FLUORENE COMPOUNDS, PROCESSES FOR THEIR PREPARATION AND PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS THEREOF BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION: Trauma to the brain or spinal chord caused by physical forces acting on the skull or spinal column, by ischemic stroke or by hydrocephalus results in edema I and swelling of the affected tissues. This is followed by ischemia, temporary or permanent brain and/or spinal chord injury and may result in death. The tissues mainly affected are classified as grey matter. The specific therapy currently used for the treatment of the medical problems described is limited to steroids, such as! the sodium salt of 6-&alpha;-methyl- prednisolone succinate. Although these agents are effective in situations involving white matter edema, they comprise relative ineffective therapy for grey matter edema. Thus, the compounds of this invention comprise a novel and specific treatment for a medical problem where no specific therapy is available. The compounds of the invention have the added advantage of being devoid of the toxic sidle effects of the asteroids and of having little or no renal effects. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION: The compounds of the instant invention are best characterized by reference to the following structural formula: EMI2.1 wherein R is H, lower alkyl, branched or unbranched, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, sec. butyl, isobutyl and the like; lower aikenyl, such as allyl; lower alkynyl, such as propargyl; aryl, such as phenyl; aryl loweralkyl,such as benzyl; lower cycloalkyl, such as cyclopropyl and cyclobutyl, lower cycloalkyl1wer alkyl, such as cyclopropylmethyl and the like; R1is H, lower alkyl, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tertbutyl and the like; lower alkenyl, such as, allyl, 2-butenyl, and the like; lower alkynyl, such as, propargyl, butynyl and the like; lower cycloalkyl, such as cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and the like; substituted lower alkyl, where the substituent is carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, oxo, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, halo, lower acyloxy, lower dialkylamino, sulfamoyl, pyridyl, furyl, tetrahydrofuryl, aryl, l-methylpiperidyl, morpholinyl, pyrrolidinyl, 1-methylpiperazinyl, thienyl, and the like; heterocyclic, such as, imidazolyl, pyridyl, thiazolyl, pyrazinyl, furyl, and the like; aryl, such as phenyl, carboxyphenyl, hydroxymethylphenyl the like; yl and y2 are C1 and CH3 A is (CH2)2 EMI3.1 where R2 is H, methyl or ethyl, R3 is H, F or methyl and R2 and R3 may be joined together to form a ring which can be represented by /C(CH2)n where n= 2, 3, or 4. Since the 9a carbon atom in the molecule is asymmetric, the compounds of the invention are racemic; however, these compounds can be resolved, so that the invention includes the pure enantiomers. In addition, in some instances, the group represented by A includes an asymmetric carbon atom. Thus, these molecules may contain two asymmetric carbon atoms and now can consist of two diastereomers, each of which consists of two enantiomers. The invention includes the two diastereomeric pairs and their enantiomers whenever they exist. Although the invention involves novel esters of [(5,6,9a-substituted-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetr fluoren-7-yl)oxy3alkanoic and cycloalkanoic acids, it also includes the corresponding acids, the obvious analogs, salts, and their derivatives such as anhydrides, amides, hydrazides, guanidides and the like. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION: The preferred embodiments of the instant invention are realized in structural formula IA wherein: R is lower alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cyclopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl, or aralkyl is is lower alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cyclo- alkyl, substituted alkyl, such as carboxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, dihydroxyalkyl, trihydroxyalkyl, oxoalkyl, dilower alkylaminoalkyl, heterocyclic-alkyl, aralkyl and aryl. yl and 2 are chloro A is -CH2-. Also included are the enantiomers of each racemic compound. A preferred compound is ethyl [(5,6-dichloro 9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetate and its enantiomers. Another preferred compound is ethyl [(5,6-di chloro-3-oxo-9a-propyl-l, 2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 7-yl)oxylacetate and its enantiomers. Another preferred compound is ethyl [(9a butyl-5 , 6-dichloro-3-oxo-l ,2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 7-yl)oxy]acetate and its enantiomers. Another preferred compound is ethyl [(9a-allyl 5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)- oxy]acetate and its enantiomers. Another preferred compound is ethyl [(5,6- dichloro-3-oxo-9a-propargyl-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 7-yl)oxy]acetate and its enantiomers. Another preferred compound is ethyl [(5,6 dichloro-9a-cyclopropylmethyi-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate and its enantiomers. Another preferred compound is ethyl [(9a-benzyl 5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3E-fluoren-7-yl)- oxylacetate and its enantiomers. Another preferred compound is carboxymethyl [(5;6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-ylSoxy3acetate and its enantiomers. Another preferred compound is the carboxymethyl [(5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-9a-propyl-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate and its enantiomers. Another preferred compound is carboxymethyl [(9a-butyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate and its enantiomers. Another preferred compound is carboxymethyl [(9a-allyl-5 , 6-dichloro-3-oxo-l ,2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl)oxyjacetate and its enantiomers. Another preferred compound is carboxymethyl [(5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-9a-propargyl-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate and its enantiomers. Another preferred compound is carboxymethyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a-cyclopropylmethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetra- hydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetate and its enantiomers. Another preferred compound is carboxymethyl [(9a-benzyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate and its enantiomers. Another preferred compound is 2-(4-morpholinyl)ethyl [(5 ,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l, 2,9, 9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetate and its enantiomers. Another preferred compound is l-(hydroxymethyl)2-hydroxyethyl [(5 ,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l ,2 , 9, 9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetate and its enantiomers. Another preferred compound is 2,3-dihydroxypropyl [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l ,2 , 9, 9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate and its enantiomers. Another preferred compound is 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l ,2, 9, 9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate and its enantiomers. Another preferred compound is 3-carboxypropyl [(5 , 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l ,2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate and its enantiomers. Included within the scope of this invention are the parent carboxylic acids, their salts and their amide derivatives which may be prepared by conventional methods well known to those skilled in the art. Thus, the acid addition salts can be prepared by the reaction of the carboxylic acids of the invention with an appropriate amine, guanidine, ammonium hydroxide, alkali metal hydroxide, alkali metal bicarbonate or alkali metal carbonate and the like. The salts are selected from among the non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable bases. The compounds of Formula I which are esters (i.e. compounds of Formula IA, where R'' is the same as R' with the exclusion of hydrogen) can be prepared by a variety of methods including one or more of the following seven methods. The first method involves the etherification of compounds of Formula IV with a haloalkanoic acid ester or halocycloalkanoic acid ester such as, X-A-COOR'', where X is halo and A is defined previously to produce compounds of Formula IA. The reaction is illustrated graphically below: EMI6.1 In general, the reaction is conducted in the presence of a base, such as an alkali metal carbonate, hydroxide or alkoxide such as potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium hydroxide, sodium ethoxide and the like. Solvents which are essentially inert to the reactants and product and in which the reactants and product are reasonably soluble are usually employed. Dimethylformamide, ethanol and acetone, for example, have been found to be especially advantageous to use as solvents. The reaction may be conducted at a temperature in the range from about 250C. to the boiling point temperature of the particular solvent employed. The reaction is generally complete in about 15 to 60 minutes; but, if lower temperatures are employed or if the particular halo ester is not very reactive, the reaction time may be much longer. The second method for the synthesis of compounds of Formula IA involves the cyclization of compounds of Formula X to produce those of Formula Ia. This method will be discussed later. The third method for the preparation of compounds of Formula IA involves the esterification of compounds of Formula II. This may be accomplished by well known esterification methods such as those described for the conversion of compounds of Formula VIII to those of Formula IX (vide infra). A fourth method involves a transesterification process as shown below. EMI7.1 This involves heating an ester of Formula IB (where R' " is selected from the same group as R" ¯except it cannot be identical to R" in this reaction) The reaction proceeds successfully with a variety of alcohols tR''OH) and is generally carried out in the presence of a catalytic amount of R''OM where M is a sodium or potassium ion. The reaction is carried out in the presence of an ion-exchange resin, such as, amberlite and the like. Solvents, such as, methylene chloride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, are employed and the reaction is conducted at temperatures ranging from 300C to the boiling point of the solvent employed. The reaction time varies from 2 hours to one day. A fifth method consists of the esterification of a salt of the corresponding carboxylic acids (II) with the appropriate alkyl or aralkyl halide (R' 1X) where X represents halogen. EMI8.1 The reaction is carried out in the presence of a base, such as, potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate and the like which generates the corresponding salt of the compound of Formula II. The reaction is generally carried out in the presence of a solvent such as, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidinone and the like at temperatures usually in the range of 500 to 1200C. The reaction time varies from one to 24 hours depending on the temperature and the nature of the reactants. A sixth method consists of the reaction of a mixed anhydride of Formula III with an appropriate alcohol, R' 'OH. EMI9.1 The mixed anhydride is generally generated in situ from the corresponding carboxylic acid (Formula II) and ethyl chloroformate in tetrahydrofuran (or similar solvent) at a low temperature (such as, -100C to +100C) in the presence of an appropriate base (such as triethylamine and the like). The alcohol, R''OH, is added and the reaction mixture gradually increased to ambient temperature over a period of one to 5 hours and finally heated at 500C to the boiling point of the solvent for one to 6 hours. The seventh method involves the reaction of a l-acylimidazole derivative of Formula IIIA with an alcohol of Formula R''OH. EMI9.2 The acylimidazole (IIIA) is generally prepared in situ by the reaction of a Compound II with 1,1'carbonyldiimidazole in a solvent (such as tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane and the like) at a temperature of -10 to +100C. Reaction of the alcohol (R' 'OH) with IIIA is generally conducted in the presence of a catalytic amount of a base (such as sodium hydride, R''OC(CH3)3 and the like). The reaction is generally carried out at temperatures between OOC and ambient temperature and requires from one to 24 hours for completion. It should be pointed out that the R'' moiety of the esters of Formula IA may possess a chemically reactive function which requires the presence of a chemical protective group during one or another of the seven synthetic methods described -These¯Rrotective groups may be removed by one of several processes, such as selective hydrolysis, hydrogenolysis and the like. The synthesis of the carboxylic acid compounds of Formula II is generally carried out by the hydrolysis of the corresponding ester (IC): EMI10.1 The process can be effected by heating the ester in a solution of acetic and aqueous inorganic acid, such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuriC acid and the like. The reaction can be carried out at temperatures of 300C to 1000C for periods of about 20 minutes to 6 hours, depending on the specific ester used and the other reaction conditions. In the instances, such as where A is -CHF-, it is advantageous to carry out the hydrolysis using a weak base, such as aqueous sodium bicarbonate. A solvent, such as aqueous ethanol, methanol or isopropyl alcohol is used and the mixture heated at 450C to 1000C for periods of 15 minutes to 4 hours. Acidification of the reaction mixture with strong aqueous acids, such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid or sulfuric acid produces the desired compound of Formula II. A second method for the preparation of compounds of the type illustrated by Formula II involve the reaction of a haloalkanoic or halocycloalkanoic acid (X-A-COOH) with the appropriate phenol (IV). EMI11.1 Using a haloalkanoic or halocycloalkanoic acid X-A-COOH, where X= iodo, bromo or chloro and A is as defined above, for example, iodoacetic acid or bromofluoroacetic acid, as the etherification agent, the reaction is conducted in the presence of a base. The base is selected from among the alkaline earth or alkali metal bases such as sodium or potassium carbonate, calcium hydroxide and the like. The reaction is carried out in a liquid reaction milieu, the choice being based on the nature of the reactants; however, solvents which are reasonably inert to the reactants and are fairly good solvents for the compounds of Formula IV and the X-A-COOH reagent, can be used. Highly preferable are dimethylformamide, ethanol, acetone, and N-methylpyrrolidine-2-one, and the like. A third method for preparing compounds of Formula II involves the pyrolysis of the corresponding tert. -butyl ester (ID): EMI11.2 This method involves heating a tert. -butyl ester of the type illustrated by formula ID at from about 800C to 1200C in a suitable non aqueous solvent in the presence of catalytic amount of a strong acid. The solvents are generally selected from among the type benzene, toluene, xylene, etc. and the acid catalyst may be a strong organic or inorganic acid, such as ptoluenesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, methane sulfonic acid, sulfuric etc. The acid, being a catalyst, is generally used in relatively small quantities as compared to the tert.-butyl ester (ID). It is to be noted that this reaction is a pyrolysis and Got a hydrolysis, since water is excluded from the reaction and the products are a carboxylid acid (Formula II) and iosbutylene and no alcohol is produced. A fourth method is limited to the instances wherein compounds of Formula IIA are produced, i.e., where A is ethylene: EMI12.1 This synthesis involves the reaction of the appropriate phenol (IV) with propiolactone in the presence of a base and a solvent, preferably while heating and stirring the reaction mixture. Solvents, such as a mixture of water and an alcohol, such as methanol, ethanol or propanol are used. The base is selected from among the alkali metal hydroxides or carbonates, such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, potassium carbonate and the like. The temperature is generally at the boiling point of the solvent mixtures but it may be at 500C-1100C depending on the reactants involved. The product is isolated by acidification of the reaction mixture with a strong acid such as hydrochloric or sulfuric acid. The compounds of Formula IC may be prepared by one or another of the seven methods described for the preparation of compounds of Formula IA. The preparation of compound IV can be carried out by one or the other of two methods. The first method involves the followiing three-step process: EMI13.1 Compounds of the type represented by Formula V which are used to produce the compounds of this invention have generally been described in the scientific and/or patent literature. For those that have not been previously disclosed or must be prepared by new methods, a description of their synthesis will be described later. The first step (Step A) in the synthesis involves the reaction of a compound of Formula V with methyl vinyl ketone to produce a compound of Formula VI. The reaction is catalyzed by a base, such as triton B (benzyltrimethylammonium hydroxide) in methanol but other bases such as tetramethylammonium hydroxide, tetraethylammonium hydroxide or sodium methoxide are effective catalysts. Solvents which are inert to the reaction and are effective in dissolving the reactants and product are normally used. Tetrahydrofuran is an especially preferred solvent but others, like p-dioxane or 1,2dimethoxyethane can be used. The reaction is generally conducted at ambient temperatures but temperatures in the range of 100C to 450C or somewhat above or below these values can be used. The second step (Step B) in the synthesis is the cyclization of a compound of Formula VI to give a compound of Formula VII. The reaction is generally conducted in the presence of a solvent such as benzene, toluene, xylene, anisole and the like but many other solvents which are inert to the reactants and to the catalyst are useful. A catalyst is necessary for increasing the rate of reaction. Salts of weak organic acids and weak inorganic or organic bases are preferred; for example, pyrrolidine acetate, piperidine acetate, ammonium acetate, ammonium propionate, pyrrolidine propionate and the like. The reaction is preferably conducted at the temperature of the boiling solvent but temperature of 300C-1200C can be used. It is advantageous to carry out the reaction under conditions in which the water produced in the reaction is constantly removed. This is effected by various means, such as using a Dean Stark constant water separator or co-distilling the solvent and the water. Another device for removing the water is to add molecular sieves designed for removing water, for example, Davison Molecular Sieves of 3A size M-564 (Cation: potassium, base:alumina-silicate). The last step (Step C) involves the ether cleavage of a compound of Formula VII to produce a compound of Formula IV. This can be accomplished by many of the agents known to cleave ethers, especially useful are hydrohalide salts of weak bases, such as pyridine hydrochloride or pyridine hydrobromide, but other agents, such as aqueous hydrobromic acid or aluminum bromide can be used. When pyridine hydrohalides are used, the temperatures above that which these substances melt are generally employed. This usually involves temperatures in the range of 1500C to 2150C, but temperatures somewhat lower or higher can be used. The period of heating varies depending on the specific compound but periods of from 15 minutes to 2 hours may be used. The second method for preparing compounds of Formula IV is shown by the five-step reaction illustrated below. It should be mentioned that this is not simply a cyclical method whereby a compound of the invention (Formula II) is converted to one of its precursors (Formula IV) simply to be reconverted to the product again (Formula II). In this instance, a readily accessible compound of Formula VIII, for example, where the A moiety is CH2, is converted to a compound of Formula II which, in turn, is converted to a compound of Formula IV which now can be used to synthesize a compound of Formula II which is difficultly accessible, i.e., wherein A is -CHF-, EMI15.1 EMI16.1 The first step (Step A) involves the esterification of compound of Formula VIII to produce the ester of Formula IX. The starting material, Formula VIII, is generally known; however, the synthesis of those which are not known or are accessible only by new methods will be discussed later. The esterification can be effected by many of the known methods. Especially useful is the procedure whereby compound of Formula VIII is reacted with an alkyl halide, such as methyl iodide, in the presence of an alkaline earth or alkali metal carbonate, such as potassium carbonate or sodium carbonate in the presence of a solvent such as dimethylformamide, l-methylpyrrolidin-2-one, and the like to produce a compound of Formula IX. The reaction is generally conducted at a temperature of 300C-600C for from 3 to 20 hours. Alternatively, the esterification may be effected by the reaction of a compound of Formula VIII with an alkanol, such as methanol, ethanol or iospropyl alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst. The acid catalyst may be a strong organic or inorganic acid, such as sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid and the like. The second step (Step B) involves the reaction of a compound of Formula IX with methyl vinyl ketone to form a compound of Formula X. The conditions for this reaction are similar to those described above for the conversion of a compound of Formula V to one of Formula VI. The third step (Step C) is the cyclization of compounds of Formula X to form those of Formula IC. The conditions for this reaction are similar to those described for the conversion of compounds of Formula VI to those of Formula VII. The fourth step (Step D) is the hydrolysis of compounds of Formula IC to those of Formula II. The conditions of this reaction have been described earlier. The final step (Step E) is the ether cleavage of a compound of Formula II to produce a compound of Formula IV. The conditions for this reaction are similar to those described for the conversion of a compound of Formula VII to those of Formula IV. As indicated earlier, those compounds of Formula V and Formula VIII which are not known or are accessible only by new synthetic routes, may be prepared by methods disclosed in this invention which are illustrated below. EMI18.1 The first step is the etherification of a compound of Formula XI to produce a compound of Formula XII. This is accomplished by a reaction involving a compound of Formula XI in any one of.a number of chemical processes; especially useful is dimethyl sulfate in the presence of potassium carbonate using a solvent, such as dimethylformamide. The second step (Step B) is the conversion of a compound of Formula XII to one of Formula XIII. This can be accomplished by one or another of many methods; especially useful is the reaction of a compound of Formula XII with malonic acid in the presence of a solvent such as pyridine and a weak organic base, such as piperidine or pyrrolidine. The reaction is effected by heating for 1 to 6 hours at a temperature of 750C to 1200C, preferably at about 950C to 1000C. Quenching the reaction mixture in ice and acidification with a strong acid, such as hydrochloric acid yields the desired compound of Formula XIII. The third step (Step C) involves the catalytic hydrogenation of a compound of Formula XIII to produce a compound of Formula XIV. The reduction is conducted in an atmosphere of hydrogen at an initial pressure of 10 to 100 psi and at temperatures of from 150C to 450C. A solvent in which the starting material and product are reasonably soluble and which is inert to the reactants, product and catalyst is employed. Solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, and the like are especially useful. The catalyst is usually a finely divided noble metal (which may be on an inert support) i.e., palladium on charcoal or it may be a noble metal derivative which upon exposure to hydrogen is reduced to the free metal, i.e., platinum oxide. The fourth step (Step D) consists of the cyclization of a compound of Formula XIV to produce a compound of Formula XV. This is accomplished by first converting a compound of Formula XIV toThhe corresponding acid chloride using a reagent like thionyl chloride or phosphorus oxychloride. A solvent, such as benzene is advantageous. The acid chloride is subjected to the conditions of the Friedel-Crafts reaction which results in the cyclization of the acid chloride to form a compound of Formula XV. A reagent such as aluminum chloride, stannic chloride and the like are used to effect the cyclization. The reaction is conducted in a typical Friedel-Crafts solvent, such as methylene chloride or carbon disulfide. The reaction time is generally 1 to 6 hours. The fifth step (Step E) involves the reduction of a compound of Formula XV to one of Formula XVI. This reaction is accomplished by using zinc amalgam and hydrochloric acid. The reaction is generally conducted in a solvent such as a mixture of water and an alkanol, such as ethanol or 1propanol. The reaction time is generally between 3 and 10 hours and is generally conducted at temperatures of 600C to 1100C. The time and temperature are interdependent so that when the temperature is lower, the time is longer. The sixth step (Step F) involves the oxidation of a compound of formula XVI to produce one of Formula XVII. The oxidation is best accomplished using a reagent such as chromium trioxide in a mixture of acetic acid and water. The reaction is advantageously conducted at ambient temperatures but temperatures somewhat higher or lower may be used. The seventh step (Step G) consists of the alkylation of a compound of Formula XVII to produce one of Formula V. This first involves formation of the anion of a compound of Formula XVII by treatment with a base, such as an alkali metal alkoxide, for example, potassium tert.-butoxide in tert.-butyl alcohol. An alkali metal hydride, such as sodium hydride and the like, or an alkali metal amide, such as sodium amide, lithium amide and the like, also may be used. The anion is then treated with an alkylating agent, Alkyl-X. Solvents which are inert to the reactants may be employed. Suitable solvents are 1,2-dimethoxyethane, tert. -butyl alcohol, dimethylformamide, benzene and the like. The reaction is conducted at a temperature in the range from about 250C to about 1500C. The eighth step (Step H) consists of the ether cleavage of a compound of Formula V to produce one of Formula XVIII. This reaction is carried out under conditions similar to those described earlier for the conversion of compounds of Formula VII to those of Formula IV. The ninth step (Step I) consists of the etherification of a compound of Formula XVIII to one of Formula IX. This reaction is carried out under conditions described for the conversion of compounds of Formula IV to those of Formula IC. Compound VIII may be prepared by one of two methods. The first method (Step J) involves the hydrolysis or pyrolysis of a compound of Formula IX to produce one of Formula VIII. This reaction is carried out by the methods described for the conversion of compounds of Formula IC or ID to those of Formula II. The second method for the preparation of compounds of Formula VIII is the etherification d'f compounds of Formula XVIII. This reactien is carried out by the methods described for the conversion of compounds of Formula IV to those of Formula II. As mentioned earlier, the compounds of this invention possess one and sometimes two asymmetric carbon atoms. In the instances where they possess two asymmetric carbon atoms, the reaction whereby these chiral centers are established can produce two diastereomers. These may be separated to obtain each pure diastereomer by methods well known to those skilled in the art1 such as by fractional crystallization, column chromatography, high pressure liquid chromatography and the like. Those compounds possessing only one asymmetric carbon atom, as well as each pure diastereomer from compounds possessing two asymmetric carbon atoms, consist of a racemate composed of two enantiomers. The resolution of the two enantiomers may be accomplished by forming a salt of the racemic mixture with an optically active base such as (+) or (-) amphetamine, (-) cinchonidine, dehydroabietylamine, (+) or (-)-a-methylbenzylamine, (+) or (-)-a-(lnaphthyl)ethylamine, (+) cinchonine, brucine, or strychnine and the like in a suitable solvent such as methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol, benzene, acetonitrile, nitromethane, acetone and the like. There is formed in the solution two diastereomeric salts one of which is usually less soluble in the solvent than the other. Repetitive recrystallization of the crystalline salt generally affords a pure diasteriomeric salt from which is obtained the desired pure enantiomer. The optically pure enantiomer of the [(5,6,9a-substituted 3-oXo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]alkanoic or cycloalkanoic acid is obtained by acidification of the salt with a mineral acid, isolation by filtration and recrystallization of the optically pure antipode. The other optically pure antipode may generally be obtained by using a different base to form the diastereomeric salt. It is of advantage to isolate the partially resolved acid from the filtrates of the purification of the first diastereomeric salt and to further purify this substance through the use of another optically active base. It is especially advantageous to use an optically active base for the isolation of the second enantiomer which is the antipode of the base used for the isolation of the first enantiomer. For example, if (+)-amethylbenzylamine was used first, then (-)-a-methylbenzylamine is used for the isolation of the second (remaining) enantiomer. The preparation of derivatives of the carboxylic acids (Formula II) of the invention are accomplished by methods well known by those skilled in the art. For example, an anhydride of Formula XIX is prepared from a compound of Formula II by reaction with a carbodiimide in an organic solvent. For example, EMI23.1 a compound of Formula II can be reacted with a carbodiimide, such as N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or N,N'-di-p-tolylcarbodiimide in a solventsuch as benzene, chlorobenzene, methylene chloride or dimethylformamide to produce. a compound of Formula XIX. The amide, hydrazide, guanidide and the like derivatives (Formula XX) of compounds of the invention are prepared by methods well known to those skilled in the art. For example, a compound of Formula II is converted to the acylimidazole (lIlA) (described above) which, in turn, is treated EMI24.1 with the appropriate base (R4R5 NH) to obtain the desired derivative (Formula XX). Thus, if R4R5NH represents ammonia or an amine, i.e., where R4 and R5 are hydrogen or lower alkyl, and the like, the product is an amide. If R4R5NH represents a hydrazide, i.e., R4 is amino or dilower-alkylamino and R5 is hydrogen or lower alkyl, the product is a hdyrazide. If R4 is EMI24.2 and R5 is hydrogen the product is guanidide. The reactions described may be conducted in an excess of the reactant base as a solvent or one may use a conventional solvent, such as dimethylformamide, l-methylpyrrolidin-2-one and the like. The acid addition salts of Formula XXI (where s represents a cation from a pharmaceutically acceptable base) are prepared by reacting a carboxylic acid of Formula II with an appropriate alkali metal or alkaline earth bicarbonate, carbonate or alkoxide, an amine, ammonia, an organic quaternary ammonium hydroxide, guanidine and the like. The reaction is illustrated below: EMI25.1 The reaction is generally conducted in water but when alkali metal hydroxides and alkoxides and the organic bases are used, the reaction can be conducted in an organic solvent, such as ethanol, dimethylformamide and the like. The preferred salts are the sodium, ammonium, diethanolamine, l-methylpiperazine, piperazine and the like salts. Inasmuch as there is a wide variety of symptoms and severity associated with grey matter edema, particularly when it is caused by blows to the head or spinal chord, the precise treatment protocol is left to the practitioner. It is up to the practitioner to determine the patient's response to treatment and to vary the dosages accordingly. A recommended dosage range is from 1 Wg. to 10 mg./kg of body weight as a primary dose and a sustaining dose of half to equal the primary dose, every 4 to 24 hours. The compounds of this invention can be administered by a variety of established methods, including intravenously, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, and orally. As with dosage7 the precise mode of administration is left to the discretion of the practitioner. Recent studies in experimental head injury by R.S. Bourke et. al. (R.S. Bourke, M.A. Daze and H.K. Kimelberg, Monograph of the International Glial Cell Symposium, Leige, Belgium, August 29-31, 1977 and references cited therein) and experimental stroke by J.H. Garcia et al. (J.H. Garcia, H. Kalimo, Y. Kamijyo and B.F. Trump, Virchows Archiv. [Zellopath.], 25, 191 (1977), indicate that astroglial swelling, a secondary and potentially inhibitable process, is a fundamental pathophysiological response to ischemicXtraumatic brain insult in-both pathological disorders. Furthermore, astroglial swelling is believed to reduce oxygen available to neurons by prolongation of the oxygen diffusion pathaway. Thus, the damage to cerebral grey matter may be far more extensive as a result of patholog±cal events secondary to astroglial swelling than as a result of damage inflicted by the initial ischemic/ traumatic insult. Consequently, it is of prime importance that the treatment commence as soon as possible after the initial trauma in order to minimize the brain cell damage and the possibility of death or permanent paralysis. One aspect of this invention is the treatment of persons with grey matter edema by concomitant administration of a compound of formula I, II or III or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, or amide thereof and an antiinflammatory steroid. These steroids are of some, albeit limited, use in control of white matter edema associated with ischemic stroke and head injury. Steroid therapy is given according to established practice as a supplement to the compound of formula I, II or III, as taughtelsewhere herein. The compounds of formula I, IA, or II are utilized by formulating them in a composition such as tablet, capsule or elixir for oral adminiistration. Sterile solutions or suspensions can be used for parenteral administration. About 70 Ag to 750 mg. of a compound or mixture of compounds of formulae I, IA, or II or a physiologically acceptable salt, ester, or amide is compounded with a physiologically acceptable vehicle, carrier, excipient, binder, preservative, stabilizer, flavor, etc. in a unit dosage form as called for by accepted pharmaceutical practice. The amount of active substance in the composition is such that dosage in the range indicated is obtained. Illustrative of the adjuvants which may be incorporated in tablets, capsules and the like are the following: a binder such as gum tragacanth, acacia, corn starch or gelatin; an excipient such as dicalcium phosphate; a disintegrating agent such as corn starch, potato starch, alginic acid and the like; a lubricant such as magnesium stearate; a sweetening agent such as sucrose, lactose, or saccharin; a flavoring agent such as peppermint, oil of wintergreen or cherry. When the dosage unit form is a capsule, it may contain in addition to materials of the above type a liquid carrier such as a fatty oil. Various other materials may be present as coatings or to otherwise enhance the pharmaceutical elegance of the preparation. For instance, tablets may be coated with shellac, sugar or the like. A syrup or elixir may contain the active compound, sucrose as a sweetening agent, methyl and propyl parabens as preservatives, a dye and a flavoring such as cherry or orange flavor. Sterile compositions for injection can be formulated according to conventional pharmaceutical practice by dissolving or suspending the active substance in a conventional vehicle such as water for injection, a naturally occurring vegetable oil like sesame oil, coconut oil, peanut oil, cottonseed oil, etc., or a synthetic fatty vehicle like ethyl oleate or the like. Buffers, preservatives, antioxidants and the like can be incorporated as required. The following examples are included to illustrate the preparation of representative dosage forms. EXAMPLE 1 [(5,6-Dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl) oxylacetic Acid Steps A and B. 5,6-Dichloro-9a-ethyl--7- methoxy-l, 2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one 6, 7-Dichloro-2-ethyl-5-methoxy-2 , 3-dihydro- lH-inden-l-one (32.4 gm., 0.125 mole) is dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (300 ml.) and 40% triton-B in methanol (3 ml.) is added. Methyl vinyl ketone (12.3 gm., 0.175 moles) is added dropwise to the stirring reaction mixture over a period of 10 minutes. The temperature rises from 260C. to 350C. The mixture is stirred for an additional hour and most of the volatile material is removed by evaporation in vacuo using a rotary evaporator. Water (200 ml.) is added and the mixture extracted with ether (three 100 ml. portions). The combined ether extracts are dried over Na2SO4 and then evaporated in vacuo to give a residual oil which is 6,7 dichloro-2-ethyl-5-methoxy-2- (3-oxobutyl) -2, 3-dihydro- lH-inden-l-one. This material is dissolved in dry benzene (200 ml.), placed in a constant water separator (Dean-Stark), treated with acetic acid (1.5 ml.) and pyrrolidine (1.5 ml.). The mixture is refluxed for two hours after which time water ceases to separate. Then the solvent is distilled until only 50 ml. remains and then methanol (100 ml.) is added. Upon chilling in an ice bath, 5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-7-methoxy 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one (16.2 gm.) separates, m.p. 1590-1650C. This material is satisfactory for use in the next step. Step C. 5, 6-Dichloro-9a-ethyl-7-hydroxy- 1,2, 9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one 5, 6-Dichloro-9a-ethyl-7-methoxy-l, 2,9, 9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one (15 gm., 0.048 mole) is mixed with pyridine hydrochloride (120 gm.) in a reaction vessel and heated in a metal bath at 1950- 2000C. for 30 minutes. The mixture is cooled somewhat and poured with stirring into cold water (800 ml.) The solid that separates is removed by filtration and washed with water. After drying, the product is triturated with acetonitrile (80 ml.) at 600, cooled, filtered and dried. The yield of crude 5,6-dichloro 9a-ethyl-7-hydroxy-l ,2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3- one is 12.2 gm., m.p. 2600-2650C. This material is pure enough for use in the next step. Step D. Ethyl [(5, 6-Dichloro-9a-ethyl-3- oXo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate A mixture of 5, 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-7-hydroxy- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one (6.0 gm., 0.02 mole), ethyl bromoacetate (4.0 gm., 0.025 mole) and potassium carbonate (8.3 gm., 0.06 mole) in dimethylformamide (35 ml.) is heated at 50 C. and stirred for one hour. The mixture is cooled and poured into water (300 ml.). The solid product that separates is removed by filtration, then washed with water followed by benzene (10 ml.). The yield of ethyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl 3-oXo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate after drying, is 6.9 gm. After two recrystallizatons from acetonitrile 4.8 gm. remains, m.p. l640-1660C. Step E. 1(5E6-Dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo- 1,2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetic Acid Ethyl [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l, 2,9, 9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate (4.8 gm., 0.012 mole) is dissolved in acetic acid (30 ml.) containing 5% aqueous hydrochloride acid (10 ml.). The mixture is heated and stirred on a steam bath for an hour. The solution is diluted with water (8 ml.) and cooled. The product that separates is recrystallized twice from a 1:6 (v/v) mixture of. water and acetic acid. The yield of [(5,6-dichloro9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)- oxyjacetic acid is 2.6 gm., m.p. 2370-2380C. Anal. Calcd. for C17H16C1204: C, 57.48; H, 4.54. Found : C, 57.97; H, 4.43. C, 57.21; H, 4.29. Using a procedure similar to that described in Example.l, except in Step A there is substituted for the 6, 7-dichloro-2-ethyl-5-methoxy-2, 3-dihydro- lH-inden-l-one an equimolar amount of: EXAMPLE 2 Step A. 6, 7-Dichloro-5-methoxy-2 , 3-dihydro- lz-inden-l-one. EXAMPLE 3 Step A. 6, 7-Dichloro-5-methoxy-2-methyl- 2, 3-dihydro-lH-inden-l-one. EXAMPLE 4 Step A. 6,7-Dichloro-5-methoxy-2-propyl 2, 3-dihydro-lH-inden-l-one. EXAMPLE 5 Step A. 6,7-Dichloro-2-isopropyl-5-methoxy 2, 3-dihydro-lH-inden-l-one. EXAMPLE 6 Step A. 2-Butyl-6,7-dichloro-5-methoxy-2,3dihydro-lH-inden-l-one. EXAMPLE 7 Step A. 6,7-Dichloro-2-isobutyl-5-methoxy 2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-l-one. EXAMPLE 8 Step A. 6, 7-Dichloro-2-cyclopentyl-5- methoxy-2 , 3-dihydro-lH- inden-l-one. EXAMPLE 9 Step A. 2-Benzyl-6,7-dichloro-5-methoxy 2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-l-one. EXAMPLE 10 Step A. 6, 7-Dichloro-2-phenyl-5-methoxy-2 ,3- dihydro-1H- inden-l-one. In Examples 2, Step A through Example 10, Step A, the reaction is carried out as described in Example 1, Step A, then by using each product and conducting the reaction as in Example 1, Step B, there is obtained: EXAMPLE 2 Steps A and B: 6,7-Dichloro-5-methoxy-2 (3-oxobutyl) -2, 3-dihydro-lH-inden-l-one and then 5,6-dichloro-7-methoxy-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 3-one. EXAMPLE 3 Steps A and B. 6,7-Dichloro-5-methoxy-2 methyl-2- ( 3-oxobutyl) -2, 3-dihydro-lH-inden-l-one and then 5,6-dichloro-7-methoxy-9a-methyl-1,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one. EXAMPLE 4 Steps A and B. 6,7-Dichloro-5-methoxy-2 (3-oxobutyl)-2-propyl-2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-l-one and then 5,6-dichloro-7-methoxy-9a-propyl-1,2,9,9a-tetra- hydro-3H- fluoren-3-one. EXAMPLE 5 Steps A and B. 6,7-Dichloro-2-isopropyl-5 methoxy-2- (3-oxobutyl) -2, 3-dihydro-lH-inden-l-one and then 5,6-dichloro-9a-isopropyl-7-methoxy-1,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one. EXAMPLE 6 Steps A and B. 2-Butyl-6,7-dichloro-5methoxy-2-(3-oxobutyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-one and then 5,6-dichloro-9a-butyl-7-methoxy-1,2,9,9a-tetra- hydro-3H-fluoren-one. EXAMPLE 7 Steps A and B. 6,7-Dichloro-2-isobutyl-5methoxy-2-(3-oxobutyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-one and then 5 ,6-dichloro-9a-isobutyl-7-methoxy-1,2,9, 9a- tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-3 -one. EXAMPLE 8 Steps A and B. 6,7-Dichloro-2-cyclopentyl5-methoxy-2-(3-oxobutyl)-2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-l-one and then 5,6-dichloro-9a-cyclopentyl-7-methoxy-1,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one. EXAMPLE 9 Steps A and B. 2-Benzyl-6,7-dichloro-5methoxy-2-(3-oxobutyl)-2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-l-one and then 5,6-dichloro-9a-benzyl-7-methoxy-1,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one. EXAMPLE 10 Steps A and B. 6,7-Dichloro-5-methoxy-2- (3-oxobutyl)-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-l-one and then 5,6-dichloro-7-methoxy-9a-phenyl-1 R,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one. Carrying out the reaction as described in Example 1, Step C, except that the 5,6-dichloro-7 methoxy-1 ,2 , 9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one of Example 1, Step C is substituted by an equimolar quantity of the product of Example 2, Step B, Example 3, Step B, Example 4, Step B, Example 5, Step B, Example 6, Step B, Example 7, Step B, Example 8, Step B, Example 9, Step B, and Example 10, Step B to obtain: EXAMPLE 2 Step C. 5,6-Dichloro-7-hydroxy-1,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one. EXAMPLE 3 Step C. 5, 6-Dichloro-7-hydroxy-9a-methyl- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one. EXAMPLE 4 Step C. 5, 6-Dichloro-7-hydroxy-9a-propyl- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one. EXAMPLE 5 Step C. 5,6-Dichloro-7-hydroxy-9a-isopropyl 1,2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one. EXAMPLE 6 Step C. 9a-Butyl-5,6-dichloro-7-hydroxy 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one. EXAMPLE 7 Step C. 5,6-Dichloro-9a-isobutyl-7 hydroxy-1, 2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one. EXAMPLE 8 Step C. 5, 6-Dichloro-9a-cyclopentyl-7- hydroxy-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one. EXAMPLE 9 Step C. 9a-Benzyl-5 , 6-dichloro-7-hydroxy- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one. EXAMPLE 10 Step C. 5,6-Dichloro-7-hydroxy-9a-phenyl 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one. Carrying out the reaction as described in Example 1, Step D, except that the 5,6-dichloro-9a ethyl-7-hydroxy-l ,2, 9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one of Example 1, Step D, is substituted by an equimolar quantity of the product of Example 2, Step C, Example 3, Step C, Example 4, Step C, Example 5, Step C, Example 6, Step C, Example 7, Step C, Example 8, Step C, Example 9, Step C or Example 10, Step C to obtain: EXAMPLE 2 Step D. Ethyl [(5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-l,2, 9, 9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetate. EXAMPLE 3 Step D. Ethyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a-methyl-3 oXo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 4 Step D. Ethyl [(5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-9a propyl-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7--yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 5 Step D. Ethyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a-isopropyl- 3-oXo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 6 Step D. Ethyl [(9a-Butyl-5, 6-dichloro-3- oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 7 Step D. Ethyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a-isobutyl 3-oXo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 8 Step D, Ethyl [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-cyclopentyl- 3-oxo-1w2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 9 Step D. Ethyl [(9a-Benzyl-5,6-dichloro-3- oXo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3E-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 10 Step D. Ethyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a-phenyl-3oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. Carrying out the reaction as described in Example 1, Step E, except that the ethyl [(5,6-di- chloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 7-yl)oxy]acetate of Example 1, Step E is substituted by an equimolar quantity of the product of Example 2, Step D, Example 3, Step D, Example 4, Step D, Example 5, Step D, Example 6, Step D, Example 7, Step D, Example 8, Step D, Example 9, Step D or Example 10, Step D, there is obtained: EXAMPLE 2 Step E. [(5,6-Dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9atetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid. EXAMPLE 3 Step E. [(5, 6-Dichloro-9a-methyl-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid. EXAMPLE 4 Step E. [(5,6-Dichloro-9a-propyl-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid. EXAMPLE 5 Step E. [(5, 6-Dichloro-3-oxo-9a-isopropyl- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxylacetic acid. EXAMPLE 6 Step E. [(9a-Butyl-5, 6-dichloro-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy3acetic acid. EXAMPLE 7 Step E. [(5, 6-Dichloro-9a-isobutyl-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid. EXAMPLE 8 Step E. [(5,6-Dichloro-9a-cyclopentyl-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid. EXAMPLE 9 Step E. [(9a-Benzyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid. EXAMPLE 10 Step E. [(5, 6-Dichloro-3-oxo-9a-phenyl- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid. By carrying out the reaction as described in Example 1, Step D, except that the ethyl bromoacetate is substituted by an equimolar quantity of: EXAMPLE 11 Step Az. Ethyl 2-bromopropanoate. EXAMPLE 12 Step A. Ethyl 2-bromobutyrate. EXAMPLE 13 Step A. Ethyl 2-bromo-2-methylpropanoate. EXAMPLE 14 Step A. Ethyl l-bromocyclobutane-l-carboxylate. There is obtained: EXAMPLE 11 Step A. Ethyl 2-[(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl 3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- propanoate. EXAMPLE 12 Step A. Ethyl 2-[(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl 3-oxo-l, 2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxy] butyrate. EXAMPLE 13 Step A. Ethyl 2-methyl-2-[(5,6-dichloro-9a- ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- propanoate. EXAMPLE 14 Step A. Ethyl 1-t(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3- oXo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxylcyclo- butane-l-carboxylate. By carrying out the reaction as described in Example 1, Step D, except that the 5,6-dichloro 9a-ethyl-7-hydroxy-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3- one is substituted by 5,6-dichloro-7-hydroxy-9a methyl-l, 2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one (Example 3, Step C) and the ethyl bromoacetate substituted by Example 15, Step A: ethyl 2-bromo-2-methylpropanoate Example 16, Step A: ethyl 1-bromocyclobutane-1- carboxylate. There is obtained: EXAMPLE 15 Step A. Ethyl 2-methyl-2-[(5,6-dichloro 9a-methyl-3-oxo-l ,2 ,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl) - oxy]propanoate. EXAMPLE 16 Step A. Ethyl 1- [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-methyl- 3-oXo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]cyclo- butane-l-carboxylate. By carrying out the reaction as described in Example 1, Step E, except that the ethyl [(5,6 dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l, 2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate is substituted by the product of Example 11, Step A, Example 12, Step A, Example 13, Step A, Example 14, Step A, Example 15, Step A, or Example 16, Step A, whereby there is obtained: EXAMPLE 11 Step B. 2-[(5,6-Dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo 1,2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxy]propanoic acid. EXAMPLE 12 Step B. 2-[(5t6-Dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo- 1,2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]butyric acid. EXAMPLE 13 Step BA 2-M°thyl-2-t(5t6-dichloro-9a- ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy] - propanoic acid. EXAMPLE 14 Step B. 1- ((5, 6-Dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]cyclobutane- l-carboxylic acid. EXAMPLE 15 Step B. "2-Methyl-2- [(5,6-dichloro-9a- methyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)- oxy]propanoic acid. EXAMPLE 16 Step B. l-t(5t6-Dichloro-9Åa-methyl-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]cyclobutane-1- carboxylic acid. EXAMPLE 17 3-[(5,6-Dichloro-9a-methyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]propanoic acid 5, 6-Dichloro-9a-methyl-7-hydroxy-l, 2,9, 9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one (9.0 gm., 0.03 mole) is dissolved in 10% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (35 ml.). The solution is heated to boiling with stirring, the heat source is removed and 8-propio- lactone (23.8 gm., 0.33 mole) is added at such a rate to keep the solution boiling. During the reaction, 10% aqueous sodium hydroxide is added as necessary to keep the reaction mixture alkaline to litmus paper. When the reaction is complete, the solution is cooled and made acid to Congo red paper with 6 normal hydrochloric acid. The product that separates is removed by filtration and dissolved by treatment with a 5% solution of sodium hydroxide (three 50 ml. portions). The combined aqueous extracts are acidified to Congo red paper with 6 normal hydrochloric acid. The product is removed by filtration, washed with water and dried. Recrystallization from a mixture of acetic acid and water gives pure 3-f(5,6- dichloro-9a-methyl-3-oxo-l, 2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 7-yl)oxy]propanoic acid. Carrying out the reaction as described in Example 17 except that the 5,6-dichloro-9a-methyl-7 hydroxy-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one is substituted by an equimolar quantity of: EXAMPLE 18 5, 6-Dichloro-9a-ethyl-7-hydroxy-1, 2,9, 9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one. EXAMPLE 19 5, 6-Dichloro-9a-isopropyl-7-hydroxy-1, 2,9, 9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one. There is obtained: EXAMPLE 18 3-[(5,6-Dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]propanoic acid. EXAMPLE 19 3-[(5,6-Dichloro-9a-isopropyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]propanoic acid. EXAMPLE 20 [(5,6-Dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetic acid Step A. Methyl [(6,7-dichloro-2-ethyl-l- oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-5-yl)oxy]acetate [(6,7-Dichloro-2-ethyl-1-oxo-2,3-dihydro-lH- inden-5-yl)oxy]acetic acid (31.7 gm. 0.1 mole) is dissolved in dimethylformamide (300 ml.) and potassium carbonate (20.7 gm., 0.15 mole) is added. The mixture is stirred and heated at 600C. for 10 minutes in a vessel protected from atmospheric moisture. Methyl iodide (12.6 ml., 28.4 gm., 0.2 mole) is added and heating and stirring continued for 3 hours. The mixture is cooled, added, with stirring to water (3 liters) and the solid that separated removed by filtration and dried. Recrystallization from methanol gives 27 gm. of methyl [(6,7-dichloro-2-ethyl-l-oxo- 2, 3-dihydro-lH-inden-5-yl) oxyl acetate. Step B. Methyl ((6,7-dichloro-2-ethyl-l- oxo-2- (3-oxobutyl) -2, 3-dihydro-lH-inden-5-yl) oxyi - acetate Methyl [(6, 7-dichloro-2-ethyl-l-oxo-2 ,3- dihydro-lH-inden-5-yl) oxy] acetate (15.8 gm., 0.05 mole) is suspended in dry tetrahydrofuran (100 ml.) containing triton-B (1 ml.). The suspension is stirred at ambient temperature and methyl vinyl ketone (5.02 gm., 0.072 mole) is added. The solution which becomes warm initially, is stirred at ambient temperature for 4 hours. Then, the stirring solution is treated with methyl vinyl ketone (0.3 ml.) and triton-B (0.6 ml.) every 4 hours for the next twenty hours. The reaction mixture is evaporated in vacuo at 500C. and the residual material dissolved in ether (100 ml.). The ether solution is washed with water (two 20 ml. portions), dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and filtered. The filtrate is evaporated in vacuo and the residue triturated with ether (10 ml.), filtered and dried. The yield of methyl gt6,7- dichloro-2-ethyl-1-oxo-2-(3-oxobutyl)-2,3-dihydro-lH- inden-5-yl]oxyssacetate is 12.3 gm., m.p. 780-790C. This material is adequate for use in the next step. Step C. Methyl [-(5, 6-dichloro-9a--ethyl-3- oXo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acet te A mixture of methyl C ( 1(6,7-dichloro-2-ethyl- 1-oxo-2-(3-oxobutyl)-2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-5-yl)oxy]- acetate (9.0 gm., 0.024 mole), pyrrolidine (1.70 gm., 0.024 mole) and acetic acid (1.42 gm., 0.024 mole) in toluene (100 ml.) is heated at 850C. for one hour. The solution is concentrated in vacuo at 50 C. to obtain the crude product. The product is subjected to column chromatography on silica gel (300 gm.) using a mixture of dichloromethane and tetrahydrofuran (100/4 v./v.) as the eluent. The yield of pure methyl [(5,6-dichloro9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)- oxy]acetate is 5.05 gm., m.p. 1820-1830C. Step D. [(5,6-Dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid Methyl [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l,2,9, 9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetate (4.0 gm., 0.011 mole) is added to a solution composed of 208 aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (4.32 ml., 0.022 mole) and methanol (45 ml.). The mixture is stirred and heated at reflux for two hours and then concentrated in vacuo at 500C. The residue is dissolved in water (50 ml.) and made acid to Congo red paper with 6 normal hydrochloric acid. The solid that separates is removed by filtration, washed with water, then with a little methanol and finally with a little ether. After drying, the product weighs 3.14 gm., m.p. 2350C. After recrystallization from acetic acid, the yield of pure [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid is 2.61 gm., m.p. 2370-2390C. Anal. Calcd. for C17H16C12O4: C, 57.48; H, 4.54. Found : C, 57.35; H, 4.62. Carrying out the reaction as described in Example 20, Step A, except that the [(6,:7-dichloro-2- ethyl-1-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-5-yl)oxy] acetic acid is substituted by an equimolar quantity of: EXAMPLE 21 Step A. [(6,7-Dichloro-2-propyl-1-oxo-2,3- dihydro-lH-inden-5-yl) oxy) acetic acid. EXAMPLE -22 Step A. [(6, 7-Dichloro-2-butyl-1-oxo-2,3 dihydro-lH-inden-5-y1) oxy] acetic acid. EXAMPLE 23 Step A. [(2-Ethyl-6, 7-dimethyl-1-oxo-2,3- dihydro-1H-inden-5-yl) oxy] acetic acid. EXAMPLE 24 Step A. [(2-Ethyl-1-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H- benz [e] inden-5-y1) oxy] acetic acid. There is obtained: EXAMPLE 21 Step A. Methyl [(6, 7-dichloro-2-propyl-1 -oxo- 2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-5-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 22 Step A. Methyl [(6, 7-dichloro-2-butyl-l-oxo- 2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-5-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 23 Step A. Methyl [(2-ethyl-6, 7-dimethyl-l-oxo- 2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-5-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 24 Step A. Methyl [(2-ethyl-1-oxo-2,3-dihydro- lH-benz[e]inden-5-yl)oxy]acetate. Carrying out the reaction as described in Example 20, Step B, except that the methyl [(6,7 dichloro-2-ethyl-l-oxo-2, 3-dihydro-lH-inden-5-y1) - oxy]acetate is substituted by an equimolar quantity of the product of Example 21, Step A, Example 22, Step A, Example 23, Step A or Example 24, Step A. There is obtained: EXAMPLE 21 Step B. Methyl [6,7-dichloro-2-propyl-1- oxo-2-(3-oxobutyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden- acetate, m.p. 91-930C. EXAMPLE 22 Step B. Methyl g[6,7,dichloro-2-butyl-1-oxo- 2-(3-oxObutyl)-2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-5-yl]oxysacetate, m.p. 92-930C. EXAMPLE 23 Step B. Methyl g[2-ethyl-6,7-dimethyl-1- oxo-2-(3-oxobutyl)-2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-5-yl]oxy}- acetate. EXAMPLE 24 Step B. Methyl 2-ethyl-1-oxo-2-(3-oxo- butyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-benz[e]inden-5-yl]oxy}acetate. Carrying out the reaction as described in Example 20, Step C, except that the methylf[6,7-di chloro-2-ethyl-l-oxo-2- (3-oxobutyl) -2, 3-dihydro-lH- inden-5-yl]oxyXacetate is substituted by an equimolar quantity of the product of Example 21, Step B, Example 22, Step B, Example 23, Step B, or Example 24, Step B, there is obtained: EXAMPLE 21 -Step C. Methyl t(5,6-dichloro-9a-propyl-3- oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate, m.p. l58-l590C. EXAMPLE 22 Step 'C. Methyl [(5', 6'-dichloro-9a-butyl-3- oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate, 153.5-154 C. EXAMPLE 23 Step C. Methyl [(9a-ethyl-5,6-dimethyl-3- oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 24 Step C. Methyl [(7a-ethyl-l0-oxo-7,7a, 8,9- tetrahydro-l0H-benzo[c]fluoren-5-yl)oxy]acetate. Carrying out the reaction as described in Example 20, Step D, except that the methyl 1(5,6- dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetate is substituted by an equimolar quantity of the product of Example 21, Step C, Example 22, Step C, Example 23, Step C or Example 24, Step C. There is obtained: EXAMPLE 21 Step D. [(5,6-Dichloro-9a-propyl-3-oxo-1,2, 9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy] acetic acid. EXAMPLE 22 Step D. ((5,6-Dichloro-9a-butyl-3-oxo-l,2 ,9, 9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid. EXAMPLE 23 Step D. [(9a-Ethyl-5,6-dimethyl-3-oxo1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid. EXAMPLE 24 Step D. I(7a-Ethyl-10-oxo-7,7a,8,9-tetrahydro-l0H-benzo [c] fluoren-5-yl) oxy] acetic acid. EXAMPLE 25 Resolution o f I ( 5 , of [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9, 9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic Acid Step A. A mixture of racemic t(5,6-dichloro- 9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetic acid (7.1 gm., 0.02 mole) and dextro(+)cinchonine (5.89 gm., 0.02 mole) is dissolved in the minimum volume of boiling acetonitrile, is cooled to 5 C and aged for 48 hours. The crystalline product is removed by filtration and recrystallized twice from the minimum volume of acetonitrile. (The mother liquors from each recrystallization are combined and saved). The pure salt is suspended in water (40 ml.) treated with 6 normal hydrochloric acid (5 ml.) and the precipitate that forms is removed by filtration and dried. This pure (+) enantiomer of [(5,6-dichloro9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxyAacetic is then recrystallized from a mixture of tetrahydrofuran and ethyl ether, m.p. 239-24l0C; oQ589o (C=l.l)=+ 151.2. 23 Step B. The combined acetonitrile mother liquors from Step A are evaporated at reduced pressure and the residue treated with water (50 ml.) and 6 normal hydrochloric acid (7.5 ml.). The resulting precipitate is removed by filtration and dried. This residual partially resolved [(5,6dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (2.86 gm., 0.0118 mole) is treated with l(-)cinchonidine (3.47 gm., 0.0118 mole) and the mixture dissolved in the minimum quantity of acetonitrile. After cooling for 48 hours, the salt that separates is removed by filtration and recrystallized twice from the minimum volume of acetonitrile. The pure salt is suspended in water (50 ml) , treated with 6 normal hydrochloric acid (5 ml) and the precipitate that separates is removed by filtration-and dried. This solid is recrystallized from a mixture of tetrahydrofuran and ethyl ether to give the (-) enantiomer of [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid, m.p. 239-2410C, # 589 (C=1.1)=-15 1.2. 23 EXAMPLE 26 Steps A and B. The Two Enantiomers of [(9a butyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 7-yl)oxy]acetic acid Carrying out the resolution as described in Example 25 except that the racemic [(5,6-dichloro-9aethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxyl- acetic acid (Example 1, Step E) is substituted by an equimolar- quantity of racemic [(9a-butyl-5,6-dichloro3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 6, Step E), there is obtained the two enantiomers of [(9a-butyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-y1) oxy] acetic acid. EXAMPLE 27 Steps A and B. The Two Enantiomers of [(9a allyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 7-yl)oxyHacetic acid Carrying out the resolution as described in Example 25, except that the racemic [(5,6-dichzoro-9a- ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetic acid is replaced by an equimolar quantity of racemic I(9a-allyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 31, Step L) there is obtained the two enantiomers of [(9a-allyl 5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)- oxy]acetic acid. EXAMPLE 28 Steps A and B. The Two Enantiomers of [(5,6 dichloro-3-oXo-9a-propargy 2#9t9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren 7-yl)oxy]acetic acid Carrying out the resolution as described in Example 25, except that the racemic [(5,6-dichloro- 9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxyacetic acid is replaced by an equimolar quantity of racemic [(5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-9a-propargyl-1,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 32, Step L), there is obtained the two enantiomers of 1(5,6- dichloro-3-oxo-9a-propargyl-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetic acid. EXAMPLE 29 1-t(5,±-Dichloro-9a-methyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxy] cyclopentane-l-carboxylic acid Step A. 5,6-Dichloro-7-hydroxy-9a-methyl 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one. Carying out a reaction as described in Example 1, Step C, except that the 5,6-dichloro-9aethyl-7-methoxy-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3E-fluoren-3-one is replaced by an equimolar quantity of [(5,6-dichloro9a-methyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 3, Step E), there is obtained 5,6-dichloro-7-hydroxy-9a-methyl-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-3-one. Step B. Ethyl l-[(5,6-Dichloro-9a-methyl 3-oXo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]cyclo- pentane-l-carboxylate. Carrying out a reaction as described in Example 1, Step D, except that the 5,6-dichloro-9aethyl-7-hydroxy-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one and ethyl bromoacetate are replaced by equimolar quantities of 5,6-dichloro-7-hydroxy-9a-methyl-1,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one and ethyl l-bromocyclopentane-l-carboxylate, there is obtained ethyl l-[(5,6- dichloro-9a-methyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl)oxy]cyclopentane-1-carboxylate. Step C. l-t(5,6-Dichloro-9a-methyl-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]cyclopentane- l-carboxylic Acid. Carrying out a reaction as described in Example 1, Step E, except that the ethyl [(5,6-dichloro 9a-ethyl-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate is replaced by an equimolar quantity of ethyl 1-[(5,6 dichloro-9a-methyl-3-oxo-1 ,2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl)oxyj cyclopentane-l-carboxylate, to give l 5,6-dichloro-9a-methyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]cyclopentane-1-carboxylic acid. EXAMPLE 30 Fluoro[(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic Acid Step A. c 5,6-Dichloro-9a-ethyl-7-hydroxy- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one. Carrying out a reaction as described in Example 1, Step C, except that the 5,6-dichloro-9aethyl-7-methoxy-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one is replaced by an equimolar quantity of [(5,6 dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l ,2 ,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 20, Step D), there is obtained 5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-7-hydroxy 1,2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one. Step B. Ethyl fluoro[(5,6-dichloro;9a-'ethyl- 3-oXo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. Carrying out a reaction as described in Example 1, Step D, except that the ethyl bromoacetate is replaced by an equimolar quantity of ethyl bromofluoroacetate, there is obtained ethyl fluoro[(5,6 dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l ,2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetate. Step C. Fluoro [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl- 3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic Acid. Ethyl fluoro [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate (4.01 gm., 0.02 mole) is dissolved in ethanol (75 ml.) and treated with a solution of sodium bicarbonate (3.36 gm., 0.04 mole) in water (150 ml.). The mixture is heated and stirred on a steam bath for 15 minutes and then concentrated in vacuo to a volume of 50 ml. The residual solution is diluted with water (50 ml.) and acidified to Congo red test paper with 6 normal hydrochloric acid. The precipitate that forms is removed by filtration, washed with water and dried. The product is sufficiently pure for use but it may be further purified by recrystallization from a mixture of acetic acid and water to produce pure fluoro[(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetra- hydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetic acid. EXAMPLE 31 [(9a-Allyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic Acid Step A. 2, 3-Dichloro-4-methoxybenzaldehyde. A mixture of 2,3-dichloro-4-hydroxybenz aldehyde (19.1 gm., 0.1 mole) and potassium carbonate (34.4 gm., 0.25 mole) in dimethylformamide (50 ml.) is stirred and treated dropwise over 15- minutes with dimethyl sulfate (14.1 gm., 0.11 mole). The reaction is exothermic; after 45 minutes the mixture is poured with stirring into water (300 ml.). The solid product that separates is removed by filtration, washed with water and then washed with a little methanol. After drying the yield of 2,3-dichloro-4-methoxybenzaldehyde is 16 gm., m.p., 1170-1180C, Step B. 2,3-Dichloro-4-methoxycinnamic Acid A mixture of 2,3-dichloro-4-methoxybenzaldehyde (158 gm., 0.77 mole), malonic acid (146 gm., 1.4 mole), pyridine (450 ml.) and piperidine (15 ml.) is heated and stirred on a steam bath for 2 3/4 hours. The hot reaction mixture is poured, with stirring into a mixture of concentrated hydrochloric acid (770 ml.) and crushed ice (3.1 kg.). The solid that separates is removed by filtration, then washed, first with water and then with a little methanol. After drying, the solid is dissolved in a solution containing sodium hydroxide (61.6 gm.) and water (7.7 liters). The insoluble material is removed by filtration and the filtrate acidified with concentrated hydrochloric acid. The solid 2,3-dichloro-4-methoxycinnamic acid that separates is removed by filtration, washed with water and dried. The yield is 179 gm. (96%), m.p. 2460-2490C. This crude material is adequate for use in the next step. Step C. 3-(2,3-Dichloro-4-methoxyphenyl)propanoic Acid. 2,3-Dichloro-4-methoxycinnamic acid (200.8 g., 0.813 mole) is dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (1600 ml.) and 5% platinum on charcoal (16.3 gm.) is added. The mixture is divided into 8 separate units and each is placed in a Parr hydrogenation apparatus in an atmosphere of hydrogen at an initial pressure of 50 p.s.i. Upon shaking, the time required for the reduction of each batch is 35 to 60 minutes. The combined reaction mixtures are filtered and the solvent removed by distillation at reduced pressure to give crude 3-(2,3-dichloro-4-methoxyphenyl)propanoic acid, 176.3 gm., m.p. 1410-1430C. The material is adequate for use in the next step. Step D. 4,5-Dichloro-6-methoxy-2,3-dihydrolH-inden-l-one. 3- (2 , 3-Dichloro-4 -methoxyphenyl) propanoic acid (176.3 gm., 0.708 mole) is placed in benzene (500 ml.) and thionyl chloride (101.8 ml., 1.42 mole) is added. The mixture is refluxed for 1 1/2 hours and the volatile materials removed by distillation at reduced pressure. The residual oil is dissolved in benzene (50 ml.) and the solvent again removed at reduced pressure. This process is repeated and the residue is dissolved in dry methylene chloride (500 ml.). The solution is placed in a flask protected from atmospheric moisture by a calcium chloride drying tube and cooled via an ice bath. Then aluminum chloride (94.4 gm., 0.708 mole) is added portionwise via a vessel attached to the reaction flask by Gooch rubber tubing. After the addition is complete, the cooling bath is removed and stirring at ambient temperature is continued for 3 hours. The reaction mixture is poured, with stirring into ice water (1635 ml.) containing concentrated hydrochloric acid (218 ml.). The solid that separates is collected by filtration, washed with water and dried. The yield is 160 gm. This material is recrystallized (while treating with decolorizing charcoal) from acetonitrile to give 4,5-dichloro-6 methoxy-2 , 3-dihydro-lH-inden-1-one, 129.1 gm., m.p. 163 -165 . Step E. 4,5-Di'ch1'or'o'-6'-etxy-2',3- dihydro-lH-indene. An amalgam of zinc, prepared from zinc (65 gm.) and mercuric chloride (3.5 gm.), is stirred with a mixture water (20 ml.), ethanol (20 ml.) and concentrated hydrochloric acid (50 ml.). The mixture is heated to boiling and a slurry of 4,5 dichloro-6-methoxy-2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-l-one (23.1 gm., 0.1 mole) in a mixture of hot ethanol (150 ml.), water (20 ml.) and concentrated hydrochloric acid (50 ml.) is added over 15 minutes. Then the boiling mixture is treated with concentrated hydrochloric acid (50 ml.) over an hour. Boiling and stirring is continued for 5 hours-longer and then the stirring is terminated and the mixture is cooled. The liquid portion is separated by decantation and concentrated to half its volume in vacuo. The solid portion of the reaction mixture is extracted with ether (four 50 ml. portions). The combined ether extracts and liquid portion of the reaction mixture are united in a separatory funnel and water (250 ml.) is added. The mixture is thoroughly shaken and the ether layer separated, washed with water, then with brine and finally dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Evaporation of the ether gives 15.2 g. of crude 4,5-dichloro-6 methoxy-2,3-dihydro-lH-indene, m.p. 780-820C. This material is adequate for use in the next step. Step F. 6,7-Dichloro-5-methoxy-2,3 dihydro-lH-inden-l-one. 4, 5-Dichloro-6-methoxy-2, 3-dihydro-lH- indene (21 gm., 0.097 mole) is dissolved in acetic acid (280 ml.) and chromium trioxide (14 gm., 0.14 mole) in a mixture of water (15 ml.) and acetic acid (40 ml.) is added, dropwise with stirring over a period of one hour. The mixture is poured, with stirring into cold water (1200 ml.) and the solid that separates is removed by filtration, washed with water and dried. The product, which consists of a mixture of the desired material and the isomer described in Step D, is subjected to column chromatographic separation using 225 gm. of silica gel and chloroform is used for elution. Evaporation of the solvent gives 6,7-dichloro-5-methoxy-2,3dihydro-lH-inden-l-one, 5.2 gm., m.p. 1540-1560C. Step G. 2-Allyl-6,7-dichloro-5-methoxy- 2 ,3-dihydro-lH-inden-l-one. 6. 7-Dichloro-5-methoxy-2, 3-dihydro-lH- inden-l-one (63.5 gm., 0.274 mole) is dissolved in a mixture of dry tert.-butyl alcohol (500 ml.) and dry benzene (1.5 liters). The solution is refluxed and potassium tert.-butoxide (46 gm., 0.301 mole) in dry tert. -butyl alcohol (1 liter) is added as rapidly as possible. The solution is refluxed for another 1/2 hour, cooled to 200C., stirred and treated with allyl bromide (36 gm., 0.301 mole). The mixture is stirred and refluxed for 4 hours, cooled and treated with water (250 ml.). The crude 2-allyl-6, 7-dichloro-5-methoxy-2 ,3-dihydro-lH-inden- l-one is separated by filtration, washed with water, dried and recrystallized from a mixture of benzene and hexane. Step H. 2-Allyl-6,7-dichloro-5-hydroxy- 2, 3-dihydro-lH-inden-1-one. Dry pyridine hydrochloride (500 gm.) is melted and heated to 1950C. and 2-allr1-6,7-dichloro- 5-methoxy-2 , 3-dihydro-lH-inden-l-one (45.4 gm., 0.167 mole) is added with stirring. The reaction mixture is kept at 1950C. for 45 minutes and then poured with vigorous stirring into crushed ice (2 kg.). The crude product is collected by filtration, washed with water and dried. The 2-allyl 6,7-dichloro-5-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-l-one is recrystallized from a mixture of ethanol and water. Step I. Ethyl [(2-allyl-6,7-dichloro-1- oxo-2, 3 -dihydro-1H- inden-5-yl) oxy] acetate. Carrying out a reaction as described in Example 1, Step D, except that the 5,6-dichloro-9aethyl-7-hydroxy-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one is replaced by an equimolar quantity of 2-allyl-6,7 dichloro-5-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-l-one, there is obtained ethyl [(2-allyl-6, 7-dichloro-I-oxo-2,3- dihydro-lH-inden-5-yl)oxy]acetate. Step J. Ethyl2-allyl-6, 7-dichloro-l- oxo-2-(3-oxobutyl)-2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-5-yl] oxy3- acetate. Carrying out a reaction as described in Example 20, Step B, except that the methyl [(6,7 dichloro-2-ethyl-l-oxo-2 , 3-dihydro-lH-inden-5-yl) - oxy]acetate is replaced by an equimolar quantity of ethyl [(2-allyl-6, 7-dichloro-l-oxo-2, 3-dihydro-lH- inden-5-yl)oxy]acetate, there is obtained ethyl t[2-allyl-6,7-dichloro-1-oxo-2-(3-oxobutyl)-2,3- dihydro-lH-inden-5-yl]oxyXacetate. Step K. Ethyl [(9a-allyl-5,6-dichloro- 3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetate. Carrying out a reaction as described in Example 20, Step C, except that the methyl g[6,7- - dichloro-2-ethyl-1-oxo-2-(3-oxobutyl)-2,3-dihydro-lH- inden-5-yl]oxySacetate is replaced by an equimolar quantity of ethyl (2-allyl-6,7-dichloro-l-oxo-2 (3-oxobutyl) -2, 3-dihydro-lH-inden-5-yl) oxy) acetate, there is obtained ethyl [(9a-allyl-5,6-dichloro 3-oXo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. Step L. [(3a-Allyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxylacetic Acid. Carrying out a reaction as described in Example 20, Step D, except that the methyl [(5,6 dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l ,2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 7-yl)oxy]acetate is replaced by an equimolar quantity of ethyl [(9a-allyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-l,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate, there is obtained [(9a-allyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid. EXAMPLE 32 E ( 5,6-Dichloro-3-oxo-9a-propargyl-1,2,9,9a-tetra- 3H-fluoren-7-y1)oxy] acetic Acid By carrying out a series of reactions as described in Example 31, except that in Step G, the allyl bromide is replaced by an equimolar quantity of propargyl bromide and using the product from each step in the subsequent step, there is obtained: Step . G. 6,7-Dichloro-5-methoxy-2-propargyl 2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-l-one. Step H. 6,7-Dichloro-5-hydroxy-2-propargyl 2, 3-dihydro-lH-inden-l-one. Step I. Ethyl t6,7-dichloro-1-oxo-2- propargyl-2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-5-ylXoxy]acetate. Step J. Ethyl tt6,7-dichloro-1-oxo-2- (3-oxobutyl)-2-propargyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-5-y1] - oxy) acetate. Step K. Ethyl [5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-9apropargyl-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetate. Step L. [(5, 6-Dichloro-3-oxo-9a-propargyl- 1,2 ,9 , 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetic Acid. EXAMPLE 33 [5,6-Dichloro-9a-(2-methylpropyl)-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetra- hydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetic Acid Carrying out a series of reactions as described in Example 31, except that in Step G, the allyl bromide is replaced by an equimolar quantity of cyclopropyl bromide, and using the product from each step in the subsequent one, there is obtained: Step G. 6,7-Dichloro-2-(2-methylpropyl)-5- methoxy-2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-l-one. Step H. 6, 7-Dichloro-2- (2-methylpropyl) -5- hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-1-one. Step I. Ethyl [6,7-dichloro-2- (2-methylpropyl) l-oxo-2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-5-yl)oxy]acetate. Step J. Ethyl {[6,7-dichloro-2-(2-methylpropyl)- l-oxo-2-(3-oxobutyl)-2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-5-yl3- oxy} acetate. Step K. Ethyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a-(2-methyl- propyl)-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)- oxy]acetate. Step L. [(5,6-Dichloro-9a-(2-methylpropyl)-3- oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid. EXAMPLE 34 [(5,6-Dichloro-9a-cyclopropylmethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic Acid Carrying out a series of reactions as described in Example 31, except that in Step G, the allyl bromide is replaced by an equimolar quantity of (bromomethyl)cyclopropane, and using the product from each step in the subsequent step, there is obtained: Step G. 6,7-Dichloro-2-cyclopropylmethyl5-methoxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-one. Step H. 6,7-Dichloro-2-cyclopropylmethyl 5-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-l-one. Step I. Ethyl [(6,7-dichloro-2-cyclopropyl- methyl-1-oxo-2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-5-yl)oxy]acetate. Step J. Ethyl {[6,7-dichloro-2-cyclopropyl- methyl-l-oxo-2-{3-oxobutyl)-2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-5- yl]oxy}acetate. Step K. Ethyl (5,6-dichloro-9a-cyclopropylmethyl-3-oxo-l,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxy]acetate. Step L. [ ( 5 , 6 IL. chl o ro - 9 a - [(5,6-Dichloro-9a-cyclopropylmethyl- 3-oXo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid. EXAMPLE 35 [(5,6-Dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic Acid 5,6-Dichloro-9a-ethyl-7-hydroxy-1,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one (Example 1, Step C) (15 gm., 0.048 mole), potassium carbonate (13.3 gm., 0.096 mole), dimethylformamide (100 ml.) and iodoacetic acid (10.6 gm., 0.057 mole) is stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. The reaction mixture is poured into water (150 ml.), stirred, warmed to 500C., filtered and the filtrate acdified with 6N hydro chloric acid to obtain [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3 oXo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxyaacetic acid, which after.recyrstallization from acetic acid, melts at 237'0C.-2380C. EXAMPLE 36 [(5,6-Dichloro-9a-methy1-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-ylSoxylacet-ic Acid Carrying out a reaction as described in Example 35, except that the 5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl 7-hydroxy-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one is replaced by an equivalent quantity of 5,6-dichloro 9a-methyl-7-hydroxy-1 ,2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 3-one (Example 3, Step C), and there is obtained [(5,6-dichloro-9a-methyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3R-fluoren-7-yl)oxy3acetic acid. EXAMPLE 37 [(5,6-Dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-ylSoxylacetic Acid Step A. tert.-Butyl 1(5,6-dichloro-9a- ethyl-3-oxo-1 ,2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl) - oxy]acetate. A mixture of 5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-7-hydroxy- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one (Example 1, Step C) (15 gm., 0.048 mole), tert.-butyl bromoacetate (10.3 gm., 0.0528 mole), potassium carbonate (13.3 gm., 0.096 mole) and dimethylformamide (100 ml.) is stirred at 350C. for an hour and then cooled and poured into water (100 ml.). The solid that separates is tert.butyl [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l,2 ,9, 9a-tetra- hydro-3H-fluoren-7-yI)oxy]acetate, which is separated by filtration, washed with water and dried. This material is adequate for use in the next step. Step B. [(5, 6-Dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic Acid. Tert.-butyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate (8.22 gm., 0.02 mole) in benzene (100 ml.) containing p-toluenesulfonic acid (0.6 gm.) is refluxed for 20 minutes. The solid that separates upon cooling is L (5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid, m.p. 2370C.-2380C. EXAMPLE 38 [(5,6-Dichloro-3-oxo-9a-propyl-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic Acid Step A. Tert.-butyl 1(5,6-dichloro-3-oxo- 9a-propyl-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-y1)oxy] - acetate. Carrying out a reaction as described in Example 37, Step A, except that the 5,6-dichloro-9aethyl-7-hydroxy-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-3-one is replaced by an equimolar quantity of 5,6-dichloro7-hydroxy-9a-propyl-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren3-one (Example 4, Step C), thereby is obtained tert.butyl [(5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-9a-propyl-l,2,9,9a-tetra- hydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. Step B. E ( 5 , 6 [(5,6-Dichloro-3-oxo-9a-propyl- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic Acid. Carrying out a reaction as described in Example 37, Step B, except that the tert.-butyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate is replaced by an equimolar amount of tert.-butyl ((5,6-dichloro-3-oxo- 9a-propyl-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetate, thereby is obtained [(5,6-dichloro-3-oxo 9a-propyl-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetic acid. EXAMPLE 39 Ethyl [(5,6-Dichloro-3-oxo-9a-ethyl-1,2,9,9a-tetrahodro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxy] ac'etate Methyl I(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetate (Example 20, Step C) (5.8 g, 0.016 mole) is dissolved in a mixture of dry ethanol (50 ml) and methylene chloride (40 ml) containing amberlite IRA 400 (ethoxide) (5-6 g). The mixture is stirred magnetically at reflux for four hours and then filtered. The filtrate is concentrated in vacuo to give a yellow solid (5.3 g) which upon trituration with ethanol and washing with ether yields the product, 4.88 g, m.p. 164-1660C, Using a procedure similar to that described in Example 39, except that there is substituted for the methyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate an equimolar amount of benzyl alcohol there is obtained: EXAMPLE 40 Benzyl 1(5, 6-dichloro-3-oxo-9a-etfyl-l, 2,9;9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxy] ace,tate. Example 41 Ethyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxyj acetate A solution of [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydrofluoren-7-yl)oxyZacetic acid (Example 20, Step D) (1.5 g, 0.004 mole) absolute ethanol (60 ml) and 12 N HC1 (5 ml) in ethanol (20 ml) is heated under reflux on the steam bath with stirring for an hour. The excess solvent is removed under reduced pressure. Ice and water are added to the oily residue and the product extracted into ether. After drying over MgSO4, the solution is concentrated to yield 1.6 g of product, m.p. 160-162 C. Recrystallization from tetrahydrofuranether-petroleum ether (1:1:2) give, S 1.15g of ethyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydrco-3E- fluoren-7-yl)oxyjacetate, m.p. 164-1660C. By carrying out the reaction as described in Example 41, except that the ethanol is replaced by an equal amount of: EXAMPLE 42 l-Propanol EXAMPLE 43 Isopropyl alcohol EXAMPLE 44 l-Butanol EXAMPLE 45 Cyc lobutano I EXAMPLE 46 Allyl alcohol EXAMPLE 47 Propargyl alcohol There is obtained: EXAMPLE 42 Propyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetate. EXAMPLE 43 Isopropyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetra- hydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 44 Butyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 45 Cyclobutyl [ ( 5 , 6 - [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 46 Alkyl [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l, 2,9, 9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetate. EXAMPLE 47 Propargyl [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l, 2,9, 9a-tetra- hydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxyi acetate. By carrying out the reaction as described in Example 41 except that the [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid is replaced by an equimolar amount of: EXAMPLE 48 (+) [(5,6-Dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l, 2,9, 9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 25). EXAMPLE 49 (-) [(5, 6-Dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l, 2, 9,,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 25). EXAMPLE 50 (+)[(9a-Allyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic-acid (Example 27). EXAMPLE 51 (-) [(9a-Allyl-5, 6-dichloro-3-oxo-l,2, 9, 9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxyacetic acid (Example 27). EXAMPLE 52 (+) C(5, 6-Dichloro-3-oxo-9a-propargyl-l ,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 28). EXAMPLE 53 (-)[(5,6-Dichloro-3-oxo-9a-propargyl-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 28). There is obtained: EXAMPLE 48 Ethyl (+) [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l,2,9, 9a-tetra- hydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate, m.p. 94-970C. EXAMPLE 49 Ethyl (-) [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l ,2,9 ,9a-tetra- hydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate, m.p. 94-970C. EXAMPLE 50 Ethyl (+) [(9a-allyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetra- hydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate EXAMPLE 51 Ethyl (-) [(9a-allyl-5, 6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetra- hydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetate. EXAMPLE 52 Ethyl (+) [(5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-9a-propargyl-1,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetate. EXAMPLE 53 Ethyl (-) [(5, 6-dichloro-3-oxo-9d-propargyl-1,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 54 Carboxymethyl [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l ,2,9, 9a- tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetate Step A. Benzyloxycarbonylmethyl [(5,6-dichloro 9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetate A mixture containing [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl 3-oXo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 20, Step D) (1.07 g, 0.003 mole), potassium carbonate (0.41 g, 0.003 mole) and benzyl bromoacetate (0.69 g, 0.003 mole) in dimethylformamide (35 ml) is heated at 800C for two hours. Then this mixture is filtered and the filtrate is concentrated in vacuo. The residue is dissolved in methylene chloride, washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate and then water, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo to give a viscous oil which is triturated- with ether to give 1.06 g. of product. Step B. Carboxymethyl f(5,6-dihloro-9a-ethyl- 3-oxo-l ,2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxy acetate Benzyloxycarbonylmethyl [(5, 6-dichloro-9a- ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetate (1.0 g, 0.002 mole) (Step A) is dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (35 ml) and hydrogenated at ambient temperatures and atmospheric pressure employing 10% Pd/C (0.05 g.) as the catalyst in 2 hours. The catalyst is filtered through super-cel in an atmosphere of nitrogen. Then the filtrate is concentrated in vacuo at 500C to give the product (0.74 g) which is purified by recrystallization from methanol (9 ml) to yield 0.50 g of product, m.p. 179-181 C. By carrying out the reaction as described in Example 54, Step A, except that the benzyl bromoacetate is replaced by an equimolar quantity of: EXAMPLE 55 Step A. Benzyl 5-bromopentanoate EXAMPLE 56 Step A. Benzyl 2-bromopropanoate EXAMPLE 57 Step A. Benzyl 4-bromobutanoate EXAMPLE 58 Step A. Benzyl 2-bromo-2-methylpropanoate There is obtained: EXAMPLE 55 Step A. 4-(Benzyloxycarbonyl)butyl [(5,6 dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l ,2 , 9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 56 Step A. l-(Benzyloxycarbonyl)ethyl [(5,6- dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l, 2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 57 Step A. 3-(Benzyloxycarbonyl)propyl [(5,6dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 58 Step A. l-Benzyloxycarbonyl-l-methylethyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. By carrying out the reaction as described in Example 54, Step B, except that the benzyloxycarbonylmethyl [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2, 9, 9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-y1) oxy] acetate is replaced separately by the compounds produced in Example 55, Step A, Example 56, Step A, Example 57, Step A and in Example 58, Step A, there is produced: EXAMPLE 55 Step B. 4-Carboxybutyl [(5 ,6-dichloro-9a- ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetate. EXAMPLE 56 Step B. l-Carboxyethyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a- ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetate. EXAMPLE 57 Step B. 3-Carboxypropyl [(5,6-dichloro-9aethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetate. EXAMPLE 58 Step B. l-carboxy-l-methylethyI [(5,6-dichloro9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy] - acetate. By carrying out the reaction as described in Example 54, Step A, except that the [(5,6-dichloro 9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetic acid is replaced by an equimolar quantity of: EXAMPLE 59 Step A. [(9a-Al1yl-5, 6-dichloro-3-oxo-l, 2,9, 9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 31, Step L). EXAMPLE 60 Step A. [(5, 6-Dichloro-3-oxo-9a-propargyl- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 32, Step L). EXAMPLE 61 Step A. [(9a-Butyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxylacetic acid (Example 6, Step E). EXAMPLE 62 Step A. [(9a-Benzyl-5, 6-dichloro-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 9, Step D). EXAMPLE 63 Step A. (+)[(5,6-Dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 25) EXAMPLE 64 Step A. (-)[(5,6-Dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 25). EXAMPLE 65 Step A. (+) [(9a-Allyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 27). EXAMPLE 66 Step A. (-) [(9a-Allyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 27). EXAMPLE 67 Step A. (+) [(9a-Butyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 26). EXAMPLE 68 Step A. (-) [(9a-Butyl-5, 6-dichloro-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 26). There is obtained: EXAMPLE 59 Step A. Benzyloxycarbonylmethyl [(9a-Allyl 5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)- oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 60 Step A. Benzyloxycarbonylmethyl f(5,6-dichloro- 3-oxo-9a-propargyl-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)- oxy]acetate EXAMPLE 61 Step A. Benzyloxycarbonylmethy [(9a-butyl- 5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7- yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 62 Step A. Benzyloxycarbonylmethyl t(9a-benzyl- 5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7- yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 63 Step A. Benzyloxycarbonylmethyl (+) ((5,6- dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren 7-yl) oxy] acetate. EXAMPLE 64 Step A. Benzyloxycarbonylmethyl (-) [(5,6- dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 65 Step A. Benzyloxycarbonylmethyl (+) [(9a allyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 66 Step A. Benzyloxycarbonylmethyl (-) [(9a- allyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 7-yl) oxy] acetate. EXAMPLE 67 Step A. Benzyloxycarbonylmethyl (+)1(9an butyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 68 Step A. Benzyloxycarbonylmethyl (-)1(9a- butyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 7-yl)oxy]acetate. By carrying out the reaction as described in Example 54, Step B, except that the benzyloxycarbonylmethyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate is replaced by the products of Example 59, Step A, Example 60, Step A, Example 61, Step A, Example 62, Step A, Example 63, Step A, Example 64, Step A, Example 65, Step A, Example 66, Step A, Example 67, Step A and Example 68, Step A, respectively, there is obtained: EXAMPLE 59 Step B. Carboxymethyl [(9a-allyi-5,6-dichloro- 3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 60 Step B. Carboxymethyl [(5 , 6-dichloro-3-oxo- 9a-propargyl-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetate. EXAMPLE 61 Step B. Carboxymethyl [(9a-butyl-5, 6-dichloro- 3-oXo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 62 Step B. Carboxymethyl [(9a-benzyl-5,6-dichloro 3-oXo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 63 Step B. Carboxymethyl (+)[(5,6-dichloro- 9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetate. EXAMPLE 64 Step B. Carbpxymethyl (-) ; (5, 6-dichloro- 9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetate. EXAMPLE 65 Step B. Carboxymethyl (+)1(9a-allyl-5,6- dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetate. EXAMPLE 66 Step B. Carboxymethyl (-)[(9a-allyl-5,6dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl]oxy]- acetate. EXAMPLE 67 Step B. Carboxymethyl (+) [(9a-butyl-5,6- dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetate. EXAMPLE 68 Step B. Carboxymethyl (-) [(9a-butyl-5,6- dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetate. EXAMPLE 69 2- (4-Morpholinyl) ethyl 5 ( 5 , 6 -dichloro- 9a-ethyl-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate Step A. 1 4 (5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetyl}imidazole. [(5,6-Dichloro;9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 20, Step D) (0.71 g., 0.002 mole) is suspended in dry tetrahydrofuran (.20 ml) and cooled to OOC. A solution of l,l'-carbonyldiimidazole (0.32 g, 0.002 mole) in tetrahydrofuran (5 ml) is added. The solution of 1 fr(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetyitimidazole that is formed is used in the next step without isolation. Step B. 2-(4-Morpholinyl) ethyl t(5,6-dichloro- 9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetate To the solution of (5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl- 3-oXo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetyls- imidazole (0.002 mole) prepared in Step A at OOC is added with stirring 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)morpholine (0.26 g., 0.002 mole) and a catalytic amount of sodium hydride (10 mg). After stirring overnight at the ambient temperature, the colorless reaction mixture is concentrated in vacuo at 5O0C. The resultant yellow liquid is chromatographed using a silica-gel (60 gm) column and eluted with a mixture of methylene chloride and isopropyl alcohol (100/5 v.v.). The product is triturated with ether to give analytically pure product, 0.58 g, m.p. 133-133.50C. By carrying out the reaction as described in Example 69, Step B, except that the 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)morpholine is replaced by an equimolar amount of: EXAMPLE 70: 2-Dimethylaminoethanol EXAMPLE 71: 3-Diethylaminopropanol EXAMPLE 72: 1- (2-Hydroxyethyl) pyrrolidine EXAMPLE 73: 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid EXAMPLE 74: l-methyl-3-hydroxypiperidine EXAMPLE 75: l-methyl-4-hydroxypiperidine there is obtained: EXAMPLE 70 2-Dimethylaminoethyl ( 5 , 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl- 3-oXo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxyXacetate. EXAMPLE 71 3-Diethylaminopropyl [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl- 3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 72 2- (1-pyrrolidinyl) ethyl [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl- 3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 73 2-Carboxy-2-methylethyl f(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl- 9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetate. EXAMPLE 74 l-Methyl-3-piperidyl [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl- 3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 75 l-Methyl-4-piperidyl [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl- 3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 76 (5 -Hydroxymethyl -2 -furyl) methyl [(5,6 -dichloro -3 -oxo- 9a-ethyl-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate [(5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-9a-ethyl-1,2,9,9a-tetra- hydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 20, Step D) (1.43 g, 0.004 mole) is suspended in dry tetrahydrofuran (10 ml) and then triethylamine (0.401 g., 0.004 mole) is added. The resulting solution is cooled at O C followed by the addition of ethyl chloroformate (0.438 g, 0.004 mole) in tetrahydrofuran (5 ml) to form the mixed anhydride and triethylamine hydrochloride which precipitates. To this mixture is added 2,5-di(hydroxymethyl)furan (1.03 g, 0.008 mole) in tetrahydrofuran (5 ml). The reaction mixture is then allowed to rise to ambient temperature before refluxing for one hour. The triethylamine hydrochloride that separates (0.55 g) is filtered and the filtrate is concentrated in vacuo to give a brown solid (2.71 g) which is purified by column chromatography over silica gel (100 g) by elution with a mixture of methylene chloride-tetrahydrofuran (100/4 v.v.) followed by a mixture of methylenechloride-isopropanol (100/5 v.v.) to give 0.55 g. of pruduct which is recrystallized first from isopropanol and then from acetonitrile to give an impure material which melts at 135.5-1370C. This material is further purified by high pressure liquid chromatography using a Whatman Partisil M9 10/25 PAC column and methylene chlorideisopropyl alcohol (100/2 v.v.) at a flow rate of 5 ml./min. The yield of analytically pure product is 280 mg., m.p. 142-1430C, By carrying out the reaction as described in Example 76, except that the 2,5-di(hydroxymethyl)furan is replaced by an equimolar amount of: EXAMPLE 77: Dihydroxyacetone EXAMPLE 78: 2-Methoxyethanol EXAMPLE 79: Tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol EXAMPLE 80: 1 ,l,l-Tris (hydroxymethyl) ethane there is obtained: EXAMPLE 77 3-Hydroxy-2-oxopropyl [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl- 3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 78 2-Methoxyethyl [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 79 Tetrahydrofurfuryl [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3- oXo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxyaacetate. EXAMPLE 80 2, 2-Bis (hydroxymethyl) propyl t(5,6-dichloro- 9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetate. EXAMPLE 81 2-Oxopropyl [(5, 6-Dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l, 2,9, 9a-tetra- hydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate Potassium carbonate (0.2 g) is suspended in a solution of [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1 ,2 , 9, 9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 20, Step D) (0.4 g, 0.0011 mole) in dimethylformamide (3 ml). After warming the suspension on a steam bath for 15 minutes, chloroacetone (0.5 g, .005 mole) is added and the mixture heated for an additional 15 minutes. The reaction mixture is cooled, poured into water (50 ml) and the product extracted into ether (three 15 ml portions). The extract is dried over Na2SO4. After filtration, the extract is concentrated to give a yellow oil. Trituration with cold ether causes crystallization to occur. The crystalline product weighs 0.1 g and melts at 153-155 C. EXAMPLE 82 3-Hydroxypropyl C(5,6-Dichloro-Sa-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetate By substitution of an equimolar amount of 3-bromo-1-propanol for the chloroacetone in Example 81, there is obtained a crude product which is column chromatographed on silica gel and eluted with a mixture of acetic acid, acetone and toluene (5/5/90 v.v.v.). The product weighs 100 mg and melts at 114-1170C. By carrying out the reaction as described in Example 81, except that the chloroacetone is replaced by an equimolar amount of: EXAMPLE 83: 2-Bromoethanol EXAMPLE 84: 2-Bromo-1,3-propanediol EXAMPLE 85: 2-Bromoethanesulfonamide EXAMPLE 86: 1-Bromo-2,3-propanediol there is obtained: EXAMPLE 83 2-Hydroxyethyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo- 1,2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxyi acetate. EXAMPLE 84 1- (Hydroxymethyl) -2-hydroxyethyl [(5, 6-dichioro- 9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetate. EXAMPLE 85 2-Sulfamoylethyl [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3- oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 86 2 ,3-Dihydroxypropyl [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl- 3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 87 3-Pyridylmethyl [(5, 6-Dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l,2, 9, 9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxylacetate A mixture of methyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl 3-oXo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate (Example 20, Step C) (0.74 g, 0.002 mole), 3A molecular sieves (10 g) and 3-hydroxymethylpyridine (0.65 g, 0.006 mole) in methylene chloride (40 ml) is stirred at ambient temperature overnight. The reaction mixture is then filtered through super-cel and washed with methylene chloride. The filtrate is concentrated in vacuo at 500C. This residue is chromatographed over silica gel (30 g) by elution with a methylene chloride-isopropanol mixture (100/3 v.v.) to give 0.36 g of product which is recrystallized from isopropanol (7 ml) to yield 0.23 g of product containing isopropanol. This sample is dried at 830C for 13 hours in vacuo to remove the solvent. The yield of product is 0.20 g., m.p. 120-1210C. By carrying out the reaction as described in Example 87 except that the 3-hydroxymethylpyridine is replaced by an equimolar quantity of: EXAMPLE 88: 2-hydroxymethylpyridine EXAMPLE 89: 4-hydroxymethylpyridine EXAMPLE 90: 3-hydroxymethylpyridine-N-oxide there is obtained: EXAMPLE 88 2-Pyridylmethyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3- oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 89 4-Pyridylmethyl [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3- oXo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 90 3-Pyridylmethyl [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3 oxo-l, 2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetate-- oxide. EXAMPLE 91 [(5,6-Dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl') oxy] acetic Acid Anhydride A stirred suspension of 5,6-dichloro-9a ethyl-3-oxo-l, 2, 9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl) - oxy]acetic acid (14.2 gm., 0.04 mole) in methylene chloride (1.5 liters) is treated with a solution Qf N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (4.33 gm., 0.021 mole) in methylene chloride (100 ml.). After an hour, the solvent is removed by distillation and the residue treated with dry ether (150 ml.). The dicyclohexylurea is removed by filtration and the ether removed by evaporation at reduced pressure to give [(5,6 dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3E-fluoren- 7-yl)oxy]acetic acid anhydride. EXAMPLE 92 [(5,6-Dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetamide 1-fr (5,6-Dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetylgimidazole (Example 69, Step A) (0.81 gm, 0.002 mole) in tetrahydrofuran (20 ml) is treated with 25% aqueous ammonium hydroxide (5 ml). After warming for an hour at 350C, the solvent is removed in vacuo whereby the product remains which is washed with water and recrystallized from acetic acid. By carrying out the reaction as described in Example 92, except that the 25% aqueous ammonium hydroxide is replaced by: EXAMPLE 93A: (t-3utoxycarbony Xethylamine EXAMPLE 94A: 2-(t-Butyoxyzarbonyl)ethylamine there is obtained: EXAMPLE 93 Step A. N-(t-butoxyearbonylmethyl)-[(5,6- dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 7-yl)oxy]acetamide EXAMPLE 94 Step A. N- C2-( t-Butoxycarbonyl) ethyl] - [(5,6- dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l ,2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 7-yl) oxy] acetamide.. EXAMPLE 93 Step B. N-Carboxymethyl [(5,6-dichloro-9aethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetamide. N- (t-Butyoxcarbonylmethyl) - [(5, 6-dichloro- 9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetamide (Example 93, Step A) (600 mg) is dissolved in toluene (100 ml), treated with p-toluenesulfonic acid (50 mg) and the mixture refluxed for 2 hours. The solvent is removed and the product dissolved in an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, filtered and acidified to Congo-red paper with dilute hydrochloric acid. The solid that separates is removed by filtration, washed with water and dried. The yield is 300 mg. EXAMPLE 94 Step B. N- (2-Carboxyethyl) - [(5, 6-dichloro-9a- ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetamide By carrying out the reaction as described in Example 93, Step B, except that the N-(t-butoxycarbonylmethyl)-[(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetamide is replaced by an equimolar amount of N- [2- (t-butoxycarbonyl) ethyl] - [(5, 6-dichloro- 9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetamide. There is obtained N-(2-carboxyethyl)-[(f,6- dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 7-yl) oxy] acetamide. EXAMPLE 95 2,3-Dihydroxypropyl t(5,6-Dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo- 1,2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetate Step A. (2,2-Dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yt)methyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate A mixture of 2 gm. of [(5,6-dichloro-9a ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetic acid, 3 ml. of 2,2-dimethyl-4-hydroxymethyl-1,3dioxolane and 0.5 g. of p-toluenesulfonic acid hydrate are heated on the steam bath for 3 hours. The dark reaction mixture then is chromatographed on 300 g of silica, and eluted with acetic acid-acetone-toluene (5:5:90). Fractions containing a single component (Rf.4) are pooled and concentrated to a yellow oil. On standing overnight, a mixture of crystalline solid and yellow oil resulted. The mixture is filtered and the solid recrystallized from tetrahydrofuran-ether-petroleum ether (5:15:25). The yield of pure product is 0.3 g., m.p. 143-1450C. Step B. 2,3-Dihydroxypropyl [(5,6-dichloro 9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetate A mixture of 165 mg of (2,2-dimethyl-1,3dioxolan-4-yl)methyl [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate from Example 95, Step A is dissolved in 100 ml. of 0.075 N hydrochloric acid and 20 ml. of acetone and heated, with stirring at 50-550C for 2 hours. The mixture is cooled and neutralized with a solution of sodium bicarbonate. The solution is saturated with sodium chloride and extracted two times with 100 ml. portions of 20% tetrahydrofuran in ether. The extract is dried over Na2SO4. After filtration, the filtrate was concentrated to a yellow oil that solidified on standing. After recrystallization from tetrahydrofuran-ether-petroleum ether, there is obtained 110 mg. of product, m.p. 135-1380C. EXAMPLE 96 l-(Hydroxymethy)-2-hydroxyethyl t(5,6-Dichl-oro-9a-ethyl- 3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate Step A. (2-Phenyl-1,3-dioxan-5-yl) [(5,6dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 7-yl)oxy]acetate By substituting the 2,2-dimethyl-4-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxolane used in Example 95, Step A, with an equimolar quantity of 5-hydroxy-2-phenyl-l,3-dioxane and conducting the reaction as described in Example 95, Step A, there is obtained (2-phenyl-1,3-dioxan-5-yl) [(5 , 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l ,2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-y1) oxyi acetate. Step B. l-(Hydroxymethyl)-2-hydroxyethyl [(5,6dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 7-yl) oxy] acetate By substituting the (2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan4-yl) methyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetra- hydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate used in Example 95, Step B by an equimolar amount of (l-phenyl-1,3-dioxan5-yl [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxyaacetate and conducting the reaction as described in Example 95, Step B, there is obtained l-(hydroxymethyl)-2-hydroxyethyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl- 3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 97 [(5,6-Dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid hydrazide By conducting a reaction as described in Example 92, except that an equimolar quantity of anhydrous hydrazine is used in place of the ammonium hydroxide, there is obtained I(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid hydrazide. EXAMPLE 98 Steps A and B. The two enantiomers of 1(5,6dichloro-9a-cyclopropylmethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid. Carrying out the resolution as described¯ in Example 25, except that the racemic l(5,6-dichloro-9a- ethyl-3-oXo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 1, Step E) is substituted by an equimolar quantity of racemic [(5,6-dichloro-9a-cyclopropylmethyl-3- oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 34, Step L), there is obtained the two enantiomers of [(5,6-dichloro-9a-cyclopropylmethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetic acid. EXAMPLE 99 Steps A and B. The two enantiomers of [(9a benzyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 7-yjoxy]acetic acid. Carrying out a reaction as described in Example 25, except that the racemic [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 1, Step E) is substituted by an equimolar quantity of racemic [(9a-benzyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetra- hydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 9, Step E), there is obtained the two enantiomers of [(9a-benzyl 5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)- oxy]acetic acid. EXAMPLE 100 Steps A and B. The two enantiomers of [(5,6dichloro-3-oxo-9a-propyl-1,2,i,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 7-yl)oxy]acetic acid. Carrying out the resolution as described in Example 25, except that the racemic L(5,6-dichloro-9a- ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid is substituted by an equimolar quantity of r ( 5,6- dichloro-3-oxo-9a-propyl-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7- yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 4, Step E) there is obtained the two enantiomers of (5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-9a-propyl- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid. By carrying out a reaction. as described in Example 54, Step A, except that the [(5,6-dichloro 9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetic acid is replaced by an equimolar quantity of: EXAMPLE 101 Step A. [(9a-Cyclopropyl-5, 6-dichloro-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 33, Step L). EXAMPLE 102 Step A. (+) ±(9a-Cyclopropylmethyl-5,6-di- chloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxyl- acetic acid (Example 98). EXAMPLE 103 Step A. (-)[(9a-Cyclopropylmethyl-5,6-di- chloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetic acid (Example 98). EXAMPLE 104 Step A. (+)[(9a-Benzyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 99). EXAMPLE 105 Step A. (-) [(9a-Benzyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 99). EXAMPLE 106 Step A. (+) f(5,6-Dichloro-3-oxo-9a-propargyl 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 28). EXAMPLE 107 Step A. (-) f(5,6-Dichloro-3-oxo-9a-propargyl- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 28). EXAMPLE 108 Step A. (+)[(5,6-Dichloro-3-oxo-9a-propyl- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 100). EXAMPLE 109 Step A. (-)[(5,6-Dichloro-3-oxo-9a-propyl- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 100). there is obtained: EXAMPLE 101 Step A. Benzyloxycarbonylmethyl [(9a-cyclopropyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 102 Step A. Benzyloxycarbonylmethyl (+) f(9a- cyclopropylmethyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-ylXoxy3acetate. EXAMPLE 103 Step A. Benzyloxycarbonylmethyl (-) [(9a- cyclopropylmethyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-y1) oxy] acetate. EXAMPLE 104 Step A. Benzyloxycarbonylmethyl (+)[(9a- benzyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 105 Step A. Benzyloxycarbonylmethyl (-)L(9a- benzyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 7-yl)oxy3acetate. EXAMPLE 106 Step A. Benzyloxycarbonylmethyl (+) f(5,6- dichloro-3-oxo-9a-propargyl-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetate. EXAMPLE 107 Step A. Benzyloxycarbonylmethyl (-)-±(5,6- dichloro-3-oxo-9a-propargyl-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3Hfluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 108 Step A. Benzyloxycarbonylmethyl (+) E ( 5,6- dichloro-3-oxo-9a-propyl-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 7-yl)oxylacetate. EXAMPLE 109 Step A. Benzyloxycarbonylmethyl (-) t(5,6- dichloro-3-oxo-9a-propyl-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 7-yl) oxy] acetate. By carrying out a reaction as described in Example 54, Step B, except that the benzyloxycarbonylmethyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1, 2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxylacetate is replaced by an equimolar quantity of the products of Example 101, Step A, Example 102, Step A, Example 103, Step A, Example 104, Step A, Example 105, Step A, Example 106, Step A, Example 107, Step A, Example 108, Step A, Example 109, Step A, respectively there is obtained: EXAMPLE 101 Step B. Carboxymethyl L (9a-cyclopropyl-5,6- dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxyl - acetate. EXAMPLE 102 Step B. Carboxymethyl (+) -I(9a-cyclopropyl- methyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 7-y1) oxyj acetate. EXAMPLE 103 Step B. Carboxymethyl (-) [(9a-cyclopropyl- methyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 7-yl)oxy]acetate. EXAMPLE 104 Step B. Carboxymethyl (+)[(9a-benzyl-5,6- dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxyi - acetate. EXAMPLE 105 Step B. Carboxymethyl (-) [(9a-benzyl-5,6- dichloro-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetate. EXAMPLE 106 Step B. Carboxymethyl (+) ±(5,6-dichloro-3- oxo-9a-propargyl-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy] acetate. EXAMPLE 107 Step B. Carboxymethyl (-) [(5,6-dichloro-3oxo-9a-propargyl-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)- oxy] acetate. EXAMPLE 108 Step B. Carboxymethyl (+)I(5,6-dichloro-3- oxo-9a-propyl-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetate. EXAMPLE 109 Step B. Carboxymethyl (-) 1(5,6-dichloro-3- oXo-9a-propyl-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetate. EXAMPLE 110 Step A. 3-(Benzyloxycarbonyl)propyl (+) r(5,6- dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 7-yl)oxy]acetate. By carrying out the reaction as described in Example 57, Step A, except that the racemic [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7- yl)oxy]acetic acid (Example 20, Step D) is replaced by an equimolar amount of (+) [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid, there is obtained 3-(benzyloxycarbonyl)propyl (+)[(5,6- dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l2w99a-tetrahydro-3H-luoren 7-yl) oxy] acetate. Step B. 3-Carboxypropyl (+) [(5,6-dichloro- 9a-ethyl-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. By carrying out the reaction as described in Example 57, Step B, except that the racemic 3-(benzyloxycarbonyl)propyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate is replaced by an equimolar amount of the 3-(benzyloxycarbonyl)propyl (+) [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1-,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate of Example 110, Step A, there is obtained: 3-Carboxypropyl (+)[(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo- 1,2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxyacetate. EXAMPLE 111 Step A 3-(Benzyloxycarbonyl)propyl (-)[(5,6dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren- 7-yl) oxyi acetate. By carrying out the reaction as described in Example 57, Step A, except that the [(5,6-dichloro-9a ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetic acid is replaced by an equimolar amount of (-) l(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid, there is obtained 3 (benzyloxycarbonyl) propyl (-.) [(5 ,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl- 3-oXo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. Step B. 3-Carboxypropyl (-)[(5,6-dichloro- ga-ethyl-lt299a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. By carrying out the reaction as described in Example 57, Step B, except that the racemic 3-(benzyloxycarbonyl) propyl [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-l ,2, 9, 9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate is replaced by an equimolar amount of the product of Example 111, Step A, there is obtained 3-carboxypropyl (-) 1(5,6-dichloro- 9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]- acetate. EXAMPLE 112 Dry-filled capsules containing 50 mg. of active ingredient per capsule Per Capsule Ethyl 1(5,6-dichloro-9a- ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetra hydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxy] - acetate 50 mg. Lactose 149 mg. Magnesium Stearate 1 mg. Capsule (Size No. 1) 200 mg. The ethyl [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate (Example 1, Step D) is reduced to a No. 60 powder and then lactose and magnesium stearate are passed-through a No. 60 bolting cloth onto the powder and the combined ingredients admixed for 10 minutes and then filled into a No. 1 dry gelatin capsule. Similar dry-filled capsules can be prepared by replacing the active ingredient of the above example by any of the other compounds of this invention. EXAMPLE 113 Parenteral Solution of the Sodium Salt of Carboxymethyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetate Carboxymethyl [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate (Example 54, Step B) (100 mg.) is dissolved in 0.05N sodium bicarbonate solution (6 ml.) by warming and stirring. The solution is then diluted to 10 ml with water and sterilized by filtration. All the water used in the preparation is pyrogen-free. EXAMPLE 114 Parenteral Solution of the l-Methylpiperazinium Salt of Carboxymethyl l(5,6-dichloro-9a-benzyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetate Carboxymethyl [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-benzyl-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxylacetate (100 mg.) Example 62, Step B) is dissolved by warming and stirring in a solution of 0.05N l-methylpiperazine (6 ml). The solution is then diluted to 10 ml with water and sterilized by filtration. All the water used in the preparation is pyrogen-free. EXAMPLE 115 Dry-Filled Capsules Containing 100 mg. of Active Ingredient Per Capsule Per Capsule Carboxymethyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a- allyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetate 50 mg. Lactose 49 mg. Magnesium Stearate 1 mg. Capsule (Size No. 1) 100 mg. The carboxymethyl [(5, 6-dichloro-9a-allyl-3- oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate (Example 59, Step B) is reduced to a No. 60 powder and then lactose and magnesium stearate are passed through a No. 60 bolting cloth onto the powder and the combined ingredients admixed for 10 minutes and then filled into a No. 2 dry gelatin capsule. EXAMPLE 116 Parenteral Solution of the Sodium Salt of Carboxymethyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a-propargyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- -3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetate Carboxymethyl [(5, 6-Dichloro-9a-propargyl-3- oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxyAacetate (Example 60, Step B)(100 mg.) is dissolved by stirring and warming in a solution of 0.05N sodium bicarbonate (6 ml). The solution is then diluted to 10 ml and sterilized. All the water used in the preparation is pyrogen-free . EXAMPLE 117 Dry-Filled Capsules Containing 100 mg. of Active Ingredient Per Capsule -. Per Capsule Carboxymethyl(+)[(5,6-dichloro- 9a-propyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate 50 mg. Lactose 49 mg. Magnesium Stearate 1 mg. Capsule (Size No. 1) 100 mg. The carboxymethyl (+) [(5, 6-dichloro- 9a-propyl- 3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate (Example 108, Step B) is reduced to a No. 60 powder and then lactose and magnesium stearate are passed through a No. 60 bolting cloth onto the powder and the combined ingredients admixed for 10 minutes and then filled into a No. 2 dry gelatin capsule. EXAMPLE 118 Parenteral Solution of the Sodium Salt of (+)carboxvmethyl[(5,6-dichloro-9a-propyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetate Carboxymethyl (+) f ( 5 , 6 (5, 6-dichloro-9a-propyl- 3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxylacetate (Example 108, Step B)(100 mg) is dissolved by stirring and warming in a solution of 0.05N sodium bicarbonate (6 ml). The solution is then diluted to 10 ml. and sterilized by filtration. All the water used in the preparation is pyrogen-free. EXAMPLE 119 Parenteral Solution of the Sodium Salt of (-)Carboxymethyl[(5,6-dichloro-9-a-propyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro- 3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxyaacetate Carboxymethyl (-){[(5,6-dichloro-9a-propyl-3- oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy)acetate (Example 109, Step B)(100 mg) is dissolved by stirring and warming in a solution of 0.05N sodium bicarbonate (6 ml). The solution is then diluted to 10 ml. and sterilized by filtration. All the water used in the preparation is pyrogen-free. 16373 IA In addition to the groups suitable for inclusion as R in the Formula I at page 2, w-can-also be--vinyl and R1 can also be substituted cycloalkyl such as carboxycycloalkyl. In formula 1A, EMI94.1 R2 can also be hydrogen. In addition to the preferred compounds at page 4 there also are preferred [(5,6-dichloro-9a-methyl-3-oxo 1,2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetic acid; [(5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-9a-isopropyl-1,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid; [(5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-9a-vinyl-1,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid; [(5,6-dichloro-9a-cyclopropyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid, and [(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetic acid hydrazide. Especially preferred are the (+)R enantiomers of the racemic modification of each compound. The more preferred compounds are the (+)R enantiomers of the preferred compounds named specifically. The parent acids of the esters set forth at page 4, e.g. t(5,6-dichloro-9a-ethyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a- tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid are also preferred, as well as the following esters set forth in Table A. TABLE A R1 [(5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-9a-R-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren -7-yl)oxy]acetate R1 R l-carboxy-l-methylethyl ethyl isopropyl " propyl butyl " vinyl allyl propargyl cyclopropyl " cyclopropylmethyl " benzyl ethyl ethyl 3-pyridylmethyl ethyl 2-oxopropyl ethyl carboxymethyl ethyl 3-hydroxylpropyl ethyl Special methods are used to synthesize compounds of Formula II where R is vinyl (Formula II B) or cyclopropyl (Formula II C) as shown below. EMI96.1 An alkyl [(2-e t1idene-l-oxo-l, 2-dihydro-1H- inden-5-yl)oxy] alkonoate is treated with methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) in the presence of a base, such as, potassium tert.-butoxide in 1,2-dimethoxyethano at OOC or Lithium dimethylamide in tetrahydrofuran at -700. The reaction is conducted in an atmosphere of dry nitrogen. The alkyll-oxo-2-(3-oxobutyl)-2-vinyl-2,5- dihydro-lH-inden-5-yl]oxy) alkanoate produced is cyclized to an alkyl [(3-oxo-9a-vlnyl-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoran-7-yl)oxy] alkanoate by heating the presence of a catalyst, such as pyrrolidine acetate in benzene or toluene. Heating with a base, such as, potassium tert.-butoxide in tert-butyl alcohol also is effective. Finally, the compound of Formula II B is produced by safonification of the corresponding alkyl ester by heating in aqueous base, such as, 5% aqueous sodium hydroxide followed by neutralization with aqueous acid, such as, hydrochloric acid. The cyclization and safonification may be effected by heating the alkyl f[l-oXo-2-(3-oxobutyl)-2-vinyl-1,2-dihydro-2H-inden- 5-yl]oxyalkanoate with aqueous acid, such as aqueous acetic acid containing hydrochloric acid or by aqueous base, such as, sodium hydroxide, followed by acidification with aqueous acid, such as, hydrochloric acid. The preparation of compounds of Formula II C is carried out by treating a [(3-oxo-9a-vinyl-1,2,9,9atetrahydro-3H-fluoran-7-yl)oxy]alkanoate with a base such as sodium hydride in dimethylformamide followed by the addition of a solution prepared from trimethylsulfoxonium iodide and sodium hydride in dimethylformamide. The [(9a-cyclopropyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9c-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7- yl)oxy]alkanoate that is produced is safonified to a compound of Formula II C by heating with aqueous acid, such as, aqueous acetic acid containing hydrochloric acid or by aqueous base, such as, sodium hydroxide followed by acidification with aqueous acid, such as, hydrochloric acid. EXAMPLE 25 [(5,6-Dichloro-9a-isopropyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H- fluoren-7-yl) oxy] acetic acid Step A. Methyl [(6,7-dichloro-2-isopropyl-1- oxo-2, 3-dihydro-lH-inden-5-yl) oxy] acetate [(6,7-Dichloro-2-isopropyl-1-oxo-2,3-dihydro- 1H-inden-5-yl)oxy]acetic acid 33.4 gm. 0.1 mole) is dissolved in dimethylformamide (300 ml.) and potassium carbonate (20.7 gm., 0.15 mole) is added. The mixture is stirred and heated at 600C. for 10 minutes in a vessel protected from atmospheric moisture. Methyl iodide (12.6 ml., 28.4 gm., 0.2 mole) is added and heating and stirring continued for 3 hours. The mixture is cooled, added, with stirring to water (3 liters) and the solid that separated removed by filtration and dried. Recrystallization from methanol gives methyl [(6,7-dichloro-2isopropyl-l-oxo-2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-5-yl)oxy]acetate. Step B. Methyl [6, 7-dichloro-2-isopropyl-1- oxo-2-(3-oxobutyl-¯2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-5-ylloxy -acetate Methyl t(6,7-dichloro-2-isopropyl-1-oxo-2,3- dihydro-lH-inden-5-yl)oxy]acetate (16.5 gm., 0.05 mole) is suspended in dry tetrahydrofuran (100 ml.) containing triton-B (1 ml.). The suspension is stirred at ambient temperature and methyl vinyl ketone (5.02 gm., 0.072 mole) is added. The solution which becomes warm initially, is stirred at ambient temperature for 4 hours. Then, the stirring solution is treated with methyl vinyl ketone (0.3 ml.) and triton-B (0.6 ml.) every 4 hours for the next twenty hours. The reaction mixture is evaporated in vacuo at 500C. and the residual material dissolved in either (100 ml.). The ether solution is washed with water (two 20 ml. portions), dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and filtered. The filtrate is evaporated in vacuo and the residue triturated with ether (10 ml.), filtered and dried. The product is methyl it6,7-dichloro-2-isopropyl- l-oXo-2-(3-oXobutyl)-2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-5-yl]oxyeacetate. Step C. Methyl 1(5,6-dichloro-9a-isopropyl-3- oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate A mixture of methyl [(6,7-dichloro-2-isopropyl- l-oxo-2-(3-oxobutyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-5-yl)oxy]- acetate (9.3 gm., 0.024 mole) potassium tert.-butoxide (2.70 gm., 0.024 mole) in tert.-butyl alcohol (100 ml.) is heated at 850C. for three hours. The solution is concentrated in vacuo at 500C. to obtain the crude product. The product is subjected to column chromatography on silica gel (300 gm.) using a mixture of dichloromethane and tetrahydroduran (100/4 v./v.) as the eluent. The product is pure methyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a-isopropyl-3-oxo1,2,9,9&alpha;-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)-oxy]acetate. Step D. [(5,6-Dichloro-9&alpha;-isopropyl-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9&alpha;-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy-acetic acid Methyl [(5,6-dichloro-9a-isopropyl-3-oxo-1,2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate (4.2 gm., 0.011 mole) is added to a solution composed of 20% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (4.32 ml., 0.022 mole) and methanol (45 ml.). The mixture is stirred and heated at reflux for two hours and then concentrated in vacuo at 500C. The residue is dissolved in water (50 ml.) and made acid to Congo red paper with 6 normal hydrochloric acid. The solid that separates is removed by filtration, washed with water, then with a little methanol and finally with a little ether. After drying, the product is recrystallized from acetic acid to give pure [(5,6-dichloro-9a-isopropyl-3-oxo-1,2,9,9a-tetra- hydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid. Using a procedure similar to that described in Example 25, except that in Step A there is substituted for the [(6,7-dichloro-2isopropyl-l-oxo-2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-5-yl)oxy]acetic acid, an equimolar amount of: EXAMPLE 26' Step A. [(6, 7-Dichloro-2-cyclopentyl-1-oxo-2 '3- dihydro-lH-inden-5-yl) oxy] acetic acid. EXAMPLE 27 Step A. [(6,7-Dichloro-l-oxo-2-phenyl-2,3-di- hydro-lH-inden-5-yl)oxy]acetic acid. EXAMPLE 28' Step A. [(2-Benzyl-6, 7-dichloro-1-oxo-2,3-di- hydro-lH-inden-5-yl) oxy] acetic acid. In Examples 2, Step A through 28, Step A, the reaction is carried out as described in Example 25, Step A, there is obtained: Example 26 Step A. Methyl [(6,7-dichloro-2-cyclopentyl-1 -oxo-2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-5-yl)oxy]acetate. Example 27 Step A. Methyl [(6,7-dichloro-1-oxo-2-phenyl 2, 3-dihydro-lH-inden-5-yl) oxy] acetate. Example 28' Step A. Methyl [(2-benzyl-6, 7-dichloro-1-oxo- 2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-5-yl)oxy]acetate. In-Example 25., Step B, the starting material is the product from Step A. Using the products from Step A of Example 26, 27 and 28 as starting materials but conducting the reaction as in Example 25, Step B, there is obtained: Example 26 Step B: Methyl [(6, 7-dichloro-2-cyclopentyl-1 -oxo-2- (3-oxobutyl) -2, 3-dihydro-lH-inden-5-yl) oxy acetate Example 27' Step B: Methyl [6,7-dichloro-1-oxo-2-(3-oxo- butyl)-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-5-yl]oxy}-acetate. Example 28 Step B. Methyl {[(2-benzyl-6,7-dichloro-1-oxo- 2-(3-oxobutyl)-2,3-dihydro H-inden-5-yl [oxy -acetate. Using the products from Step B of x ample 26', 27', 28 as starting material in place for the Example 25', Step B, and conducting the reaction as in Example 25', Step C there is obtained: Example 26' Step C. ethyl [(5,6-dichloro-9&alpha;-cyclopenty1- 3-oxo-l ,2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl) -oxy] acetate. Example 27 Step C. Methyl [(5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-9a-phenyl- 1,2,9,9&alpha;-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]-acetate. Example 28 Step C: Methyl [(9a-benzyl-5,6-dichloro-3-oxo- 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. Using the products from Step C of Examples 26, 27 and 28 as starting materials in place of the product from Example 25, Step C and Conducting the reaction as in Example 25', Step D, there is obtained. Example 26 Step D. [ ( 5, 6-Dichloro- 9a-cyclopentyl-3 -oxo-l 2,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)-oxy]acetate. Example 27 Step D. [(5,6-Dichloro-3-oxo-9a-phenyl-1,2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate. Example 28 Step D. [(9a-Benzyl-5, 6-dichloro-3-oxo-l, 2,9, 9a-tetrahydro-3H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetate.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A compound of the formula: - EMI102.1 wherein R is H, lower alkyl, branched or unbranched; phenyl, phenyl C1 to C4 alkyl where the alkyl is branched or unbranched; C2 to C4 alkynyl, branched or unbranched; C3 to C6 cycloalkyl and C3 to C6 cycloalkyl C1 to C4 alkyl, branched or unbranched; and C2 to C4 alkenyl, branched or unbranched; R1 is H, lower alkyl, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl'and the like; lower alkenyl, such as, allyl, 2-butenyl and the like; lower alkynyl, such as propargyl, butynyl and the like; lower cycloalkyl, such as cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and the like; substituted lower allyl, where the substituent is carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, oxo, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, halo, lower acyloxy, lower dialkylamino, sulfamoyl, pyridyl, furyl, tetrahydrofuryl, aryl l-methylpiperidyl, morpholinyl, pyrrolidinyl, l-methylpiperazinyl, thienyl, and the like; heterocyclic, such as imidazolyl, pyridyl, thiazolyl, pyrazinyl, furyl, and the like; aryl, such as phenyl, carboxyphenyl hydroxymethylphenyl and the like; yl and y2 are independently C1 and CH; A is (CH2)2 EMI102.2 where R2 is H, methyl or ethyl, R3 is H, F or methyl and R2 and R3, may be joined together to form the ring EMI102.3 where n is the integer 2, 3 or 4; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. 2. A compound according to Claim 1 where R1 is lower alkyl. 3. A compound according to Claim 1 where R1 is carboxyloweralkyl. 4. A compound according to Claim 1 where yl and y2 are C1. 5. A compound according to Claim 1 where A iE EMI103.1 6. A compound according to Claim 1 where R is phenyl. 7. A composition in unit dosage form for the treatment of grey matter edema comprising a compound of the formula: EMI103.2 wherein R is H, and lower alkyl; phenyl, phenyl C1 to C4 alkyl where the alkyl is branched or unbranched; C2 to C4 alkynyl, branched or unbranched; C3 to C6 cycloalkyl and C3 to C6 cycloalkyl C1 to C4 alkyl, branched or unbranched; and C2 to C4 alkenyl, branched or unbranched; R1 is H, lower alkyl, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert. -butyl and the like; lower alkenyl, such as, allyl, 2-butenyl, and the like; lower alkynyl, such as, propargyl, butynyl and the like; lower cycloalkyl, such as cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and the like; substituted lower allyl, where the substituent is carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, oxo, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, halo, lower acyloxy, lower dialkylamino, sulfamoyl, pyridyl, furyl, tetrahydrofuryl, aryl, l-methylpiperidyl, morpholinyl, pyrrolidinyl, l-methylpiperazinyl, thienyl, and the like; heterocyclic, such as imidazolyl, pyridyl, thiazolyl, pyrazinyl, furyl, and the like; aryl, such as phenyl, carboxyphenyl, hydroxymethylphenyl. and the like; yl and y2 are independently C1 and CH; A is (CH2)2 Or EMI104.1 R2 where R2 is H, methyl or ethyl, R3 is H, F or methyl and R2 and R3, may be joined together to form the ring C(CH2)n where n is the integer 2, 3 or 4; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. 8. A process for making a compound of the formula: EMI104.2 where R is H, lower alkyl, branched or unbranched; phenyl, phenyl C1 to C4 alkyl where the alkyl is branched or unbranched; C2 to C4 alkynyl, branched or unbranched; C3 to C6 cycloalkyl and C3 to C6 cycloalkyl C1 to C4 alkyl, branched or unbranched; and C2 to C4 alkenyl, branched or unbranched; R'' is lower alkyl, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl and the like; lower alkenyl, such as, allyl, 2-butenyl and the like; lower alkynyl, such as propargyl, butynyl and the like; lower cycloalkyl, such as cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and the like; substituted lower allyl, where the substituent is carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, oxo, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, halo, lower acyloxy, lower dialkylamino, sulfamoyl, pyridyl, furyl, tetrahydrofuryl, aryl, 1-methylpiperidyl, morpholinyl, pyrrolidinyl, 1-methylpiperazinyl, thienyl, and the like; heterocyclic, such as imidazolyl, pyridyl, thiazolyl, pyrazinyl, furyl, and the like; aryl, such as phenyl, carboxyphenyl, hydroxymethylphenyl and the like; yl and Y2 are independently C1 and CH; A is (CH2)2 or EMI105.1 where R2is H, methyl or ethyl, R3is H, F or methyl and R2 and R3, may be joined together to form the ring C(CH2)n where n is the integer 2, 3 or 4 comprising reacting a compound of formula: EMI105.2 with an ester of formula X-A-COOR'' in the presence of a base as previously defined. 9. A process for making a compound of the formula: EMI105.3 where R is H, lower alkyl, branched or unbranched; phenyl, phenyl C1 to C4 alkyl where the alkyl is branched or unbranched; C2 to C4 alkynyl, branched or unbranched; C3 to C6 cycloalkyl and C3 to C6 cycloalkyl C1 to C4 alkyl, branched or unbranched; and .C2 to C4 alkenyl, branched or unbranched; R'' is lower alkyl, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert. -butyl and the like; lower alkenyl, such as allyl, 2-butenyl, and the like; lower alkynyl, such as propargyl, butynyl and the like; lower cycloalkyl, such as cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and the like; substituted lower allyl, where the substituent is carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, oxo, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, halo, lower acyloxy, lower dialkylamino, sulfamoyl, pyridyl, furyl, tetrahydrofuryl, aryl, l-methylpiperidyl, morpholinyl, pyrrolidinyl, 1-methylpiperazinyl, thienyl, and the like; heterocyclic, such as imidazolyl, pyridyl, thiazolyl, pyrazinyl, furyl, and the like; aryl, such as phenyl, carboxyphenyl, hydroxymethylphenyl and the like; 1 and y2 are independently C1 or CH; and A is (CH2)2 or EMI106.1 where R2 is H, methyl or ethyl, R3 is H, F, or methyl and R2 and R3 may be joined together to form the ring /(CH2)n where n is the integer 2, 3 or 4, n CH2)n comprising the cyclization of a compound of formula: EMI106.2 which involves heating in a solvent with a catalyst such as pyrrolidine acetate. 10. A process for making a compound of the formula: EMI107.1 where R is H, lower alkyl, branched or unbranched; phenyl, phenyl C1 to C4 alkyl where the alkyl is branched or unbranched; C2 to C4 alkynyl, branched or unbranched; C3 to C6 cycloalkyl and C3 to C6 cycloalkyl C1 to C4 alkyl, branched or unbranched; and C2 to C4 alkenyl, branched or unbranched; R" is lower alkyl, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert. -butyl and the like; lower alkenyl, such as allyl, 2-butenyl, and the like; lower alkynyl, such as propargyl, butynyl and the like; lower cycloalkyl, such as cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and the like; substituted lower allyl, where the substituent is carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, oxo, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, halo, lower acyloxy, lower dialkylamino, sulfamoyl, pyridyl, furyl, tetrahydrofuryl, aryl, .1-methylpiperidyl, morpholinyl, pyrrolidinyl, 1-methylpiperazinyl, thienyl, and the like; heterocyclic, such as imidazolyl, pyridyl, thiazolyl, pyrazinyl, furyl, and the like; aryl, such as phenyl, carboxyphenyl, hydroxymethylphenyl and the like; yl and y2 are independently C1 and CH; and A is (CH2)2 or EMI107.2 where R2 is H, methyl or ethyl, R3 is H-, F, or methyl and R2 and R3 may be joined together to form the ring EMI107.3 where n is the integer 2, 3 or 4, comprising transesterification of a compound of formula: phenyl, phenyl C1 to C4 alkyl where the alkyl is branched or unbranched; C2 to C4 alkynyl, branched or unbranched; C3 to C6 cycloalkyl and C3 to C6 cycloalkyl C1 to C4 alkyl, branched or unbranched; and C2 to C4 alkenyl, branched or unbranched; EMI108.1 and an alcohol of formula R'''OH by heating the mixture in a solvent in the presence of an ion exchange resin and a catalytic amount of R' "OM where M represents an alkali metal ion and R' " has the same definition as R'' but cannot be identical in the given reaction.

Inventors: CRAGOE, EDWARD J., JR., GOULD, NORMAN P., STOKKER, GERALD E.
Applicants: MERCK & CO. INC.
Application year: 1980
Main classification: C07C59
IPC codes: C07C45, C07D233, C07C62, C07C49, C07C43, C07D211, C07C69, C07C59, C07D317, C07D307, C07D295, C07D213