ARYLSECOCHOLADIENE DERIVATIVES

Abstract: 24-Nor-secochola-5,7-diene derivatives of formula (I) wherein A is a single or double bond, B is a group CH2CH2, CH=CH or CC, T is a group CH2 or CH2CH2, R<1> and R<3> are H or OH, C(R,R) is CH2 or C=CH2, R<2> is CH3 and R<4> is H, or R<2> is H and R<4> is CH3, L is phenyl and R<5> is OH or C(C1-4-alkyl)2OH, or L-R<5> is 2-furyl which is 5-substituted by C(C1-4-alkyl)2OH, with the proviso that when L is phenyl, A is a single bond, B is CC, T is CH2, each R<1> and R<3> are OH, C(R,R) is C=CH2, R<2> is CH3, R<4> is H, and R<5> is C(CH3)2OH, then R<5> must be in position ortho or para, are useful in the treatment or prevention of vitamin D dependent disorders, particularly psoriasis, basal cell carcinomas, disorders of keratinization and keratosis, leukemia, osteoporosis, hyperparathyroidism accompanying renal failure, transplant rejection and graft vs. host disease.

Description: Arylsecocholadiene derivatives The invention relates to novel secocholadiene, particularly 24-nor- secochola-5,7-diene derivatives of formula (I) wherein A is a single or double bond, B is a group CH 2 CH 2 , CH=CH or C≡C, T is a group CH 2 or CH 2 CH 2 , R 1 and R3 are H or OH, C(R,R) is CH 2 or C=CH 2 , R 2 is CH 3 and R4 is H, or R 2 is H and R4 is CH 3 , L is phenyl and R 5 is OH or C(Cι -4 -alkyl) 2 OH, or L-R 5 is 2-furyl which is 5-substituted by C(Cι.4-alkyl) 2 OH, with the proviso that when L is phenyl, A is a single bond, B is C≡C, T is CH 2 , each R 1 and R3 are OH, C(R,R) is C=CH 2 , R 2 is CH 3 , R* is H, and R 5 is C(CH3) 2 OH, then R 5 must be in position ortho or para. The present invention furthermore relates to a process for the preparation of the compound of formula I, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound of formula I, and the use of the compound of formula I for the treatment of vitamin D dependent disorders and for the manufacture of pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of vitamin D dependent disorders. The term "vitamin D dependent disorders" refers to disorders which can be treated or prevented by the administration of compounds having vitamin D activity, such as vitamin D3 or derivatives, in particular hydroxylated derivatives thereof, e.g. calcitriol or calcipotriol. Examples of such disorders are hyperproliferative skin diseases such as psoriasis, basal cell carcinomas, disorders of keratinization and keratosis; neoplastic diseases such as leukemia; disorders of the sebaceous glands such as acne and seborrhoic dermatitis; osteoporosis; hyperparathyroidism accompanying renal failure; and diseases which require modulation of the immune system, such as transplant rejection and graft vs. host disease. Preferred Cι_4-alkyl groups are straight-chain alkyl groups, such as ethyl, propyl and particularly methyl. Preferred compounds of formula I are those a) wherein R 1 is H or OH and R 3 is OH, and/or b) wherein L is phenyl, B is CH CH 2 or C≡C, R 1 and R 3 are OH and R 5 is C(CH 3 ) 2 OH, preferably c) wherein A is a single bond, B is C≡C and T is CH , such as: (7E)-(lR, 3R,20R)-23-[2-d-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl)- 19,24- dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien-22-yne-l,3-diol. Further preferred compounds are: (7E)-(1R, 3R)-23-[2-(l-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor- 9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien-l,3-diol, (7E)-(1R, 3R)-23-[2-(l-hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor- 9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien-22-yne-l,3-diol, (7E)-(1R, 3R)-23-[3-(l-hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor- 9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien-l,3-diol, (5Z,7E)-(1S, 3R,20R)-23-[3-(l-hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl)- 24- nor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,10(19)-trien-22-yne-l,3-diol, (5Z,7E)-(1S, 3R,20R)-23-[2-(l-hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl)-24- nor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,10(19)-trien-22-yne-l,3-diol, (7E)-(lR, 3R,20S)-23-[3-(l-hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl)- 19,24- dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien-l,3-diol, (7E)-(lR,3R)-23-[2-(l-hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-D-homo-19,24- dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,17-trien-22-yne-l,3-diol, (5Z, 7E)-(lS,3R,21R)-23-[2-d-hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-D- homo-24-nor-9, 10-seco-chola-5,7, 10( 19)-trien-22-yne- 1 ,3-diol. Further preferred compounds are those wherein L is 2-furyl, A is a single bond, B is C≡C, T is CH 2 , R 2 is CH 3 and R 4 is H, such as (7E)-(1R, 3R)-23-[5-(l-hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-furan-2-yl]-19,24- dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien-22-yne-l,3-diol. The compounds of formula I can be obtained by cleavage of the silyl-protecting group(s) contained in a compound of formula wherein A, B, L, T, R, R 2 and R 4 are as above, R 10 and R 30 are H or OSi(CH 3 ) 2 -tert-butyl and R5 0 is OSi(CH 3 ) 3 , OSi(CH 3 ) 2 -tert-butyl or C(Cι. 4 -alkyl)) 2 OSi(CH 3 ) 3 . The intermediates of formula II hereinabove and those of formulae IN, INa and N are novel and as such are a further object of the present invention. The cleavage can be effected by tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) in a solvent such as THF. The compounds of formula II are obtained by coupling a phosphinoxyde of formula with a ketone of formula The coupling can be effected by reacting a solution of the phosphinoxyde in THF with butyl lithium and then with a ketone IV at -78°C. The ketones IV wherein R 50 is C(Cι- -alkyl) 2 OSi(CH 3 ) 3 can be obtained by oxidation followed by silylation of the diols of the formula wherein R 5 is C(Cι- -alkyl) 2 OH. The products of this oxidation are hydroxy-ketones of the formula IVa The oxidation can be effected in DMF or in CH2CI2 with pyridinium dichromate (PDC). The silylation can be carried out by reacting the ketone intermediate in THF or in CH 2 C1 2 at 0°C with 1-trimethylsilyl- imidazol, optionally in mixture with imidazol and trimethylsilyl- chloride. The ketones IN wherein R 50 is OSi(CH 3 ) 3 or OSi(CH 3 ) 2 -tert-butyl can be obtained by silylation of the alcohol-phenols of formula N, wherein R 5 is OH, followed by oxidation. The silylation of the phenolic hydroxy can be effected in DMF or in CH 2 C1 2 with tert-butyldimethylsilylchloride and imidazol. The oxidation can be carried out in DMF with PDC. The diols V, wherein R 5 is C(Cι. 4 -alkyl) 2 OH, can be obtained by reacting the alcohol-esters of formula with methylmagnesium chloride in THF at 0°C. The alcohol-phenols V wherein L is phenyl, R 5 is OH and B is C≡C or CH=CH can be obtained by coupling the alcohols of formula VII or VIII with iodophenol in the presence of a palladium catalyst and copper-CD- iodide in piperidine or in 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine. Similarly, alcohol-esters of formula VI, wherein B is C≡C or CH=CH can be obtained by reacting a solution of the alcohols of formula VII or VIII with a halogenide of formula Hal-L-COOEt, such as ethyliodobenzoat, in the presence of bis(triphenylphosphin)palla- dium(II)-dichloride and copper-(I)-iodide. Alcohol-esters VI wherein B is CH 2 CH 2 can be obtained by catalytic hydrogenation, e.g. over Pd/C in ethanol, of the corresponding alcohol- esters VI wherein B is C≡C. The compounds VIII are obtained from compounds VII by reaction in toluene with tributyltinhydride and azobisisobutyro nitrile. The compounds of formula VII are obtained by deprotection of corresponding compounds of formula e.g. in THF with hydrofluoric acid or dry TBAF. A compound of formula IK can be reacted with a halogenide of formula Hal-L-COOEt, such as 2-bromo-furan-5-ylcarboxylic acid ethyl ester, in the presence of bis-(triphenylphosphin)-palladium(II)- dichloride and copper(I)-iodide. The obtained ester can be deprotected, e.g. in THF with hydrofluoric acid, to the corresponding alcohol ester of formula VI. The compounds of formula X are obtained from compounds of formula by reaction in THF at -78°C with butyllithium. The compounds of formula X are obtained from aldehydes of formula by reaction with tetrabromomethane in dichloromethane in the presence of triphenylphosphine at -20°C. The aldehydes of formula XI can be obtained by oxidation of the alcohols of formula XII e.g. in dichloromethane, with catalytic amounts of tetrapropyl ammonium perruthenate (TPAP) in the presence of a molecular sieve and with N-methyl morpholine oxide as cooxydant, or with oxalyl chloride, DMSO and NEt 3 in CH 2 C1 2 . An ether-alcohol XII with the non-natural configuration (R 2 = H, R 4 = CH 3 ) can be obtained by epimerization of the corresponding aldehyde XI with natural configuration, with l,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non- 5-en (DBN) in THF, followed by reduction with sodium borohydride and chromatographic separation of the desired alcohol XII. Compounds of formula XII wherein T is CH CH 2 can be prepared as described in the European patent application No. 95117037.2 (RAN 4212/67), as set forth in formula Scheme 1 below: According to Scheme 1, compound (1) [Synthesis 957 (1993)] is reduced to yield the equatorial alcohol (2), which is transformed to (4) via the thiocarbamate (3). Compound (4) can be hydroborated to yield (5). Oxydation of the alcohol, e.g., with pyridiniumchlorochromate or TPAP and equilibration with potassium-t-butoxide yields (6), which can be reduced to give compound (7). Acetylation of (7) and cleavage of the tert.- butyl ether function yields (8) which is oxidized and deacylated to yield ketoalcohol (9). For build-up of the vitamin D 3 side chain the alcohol group of (9) is suitably protected, e.g., by a silyl ether protecting group Z, preferably the tert-butyl-dimethyl-silyl group, to obtain (10). The ketone (10) is converted by a Wittig reaction into compound (11) from which (12) is obtained by an ene reaction with paraformaldehyde and dimethylaluminum chloride, or with paraformaldehyde and BF 3 »Et 2 0. Catalytic hydrogenation of (12) gives (13). Scheme 1 (1) (2); R=H (4) (3); R= ^N^N butyl (5) (6) (7) (1 1) (12) (13) The phosphinoxydes of formula III are known or can be obtained in a manner analogous to the known compounds. Thus, those wherein C(R,R) is CH 2 can be prepared as shown in formula Scheme 2 below: Scheme 2 XIII XIV XV XVI III According to Scheme 2, the ketone XIII is converted by a Peterson reaction into the ester XIV from which the alcohol XV is obtained by reduction. Reaction of XV with N-chlorosuccinimide in the presence of dimethylsulphur gives the chloride XVI. Reaction of XVI with diphenylphosphine-lithium and work-up with 5% H 2 0 2 in ethyl acetate gives the phosphinoxide IIP. The following Examples describe the preparation of the compounds of formula I in more detail. In the following Examples 1 to 26, compounds of formula I were obtained by cleavage of the silyl-protecting group(s) in compounds of formula II: Example 1 (7E, 22E)-(lR, 3R)-23-[4-(l-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24- dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,22-triene-l,3-diol from (7E, 22E)-(1R, 3R)-1,3- Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[4-(l-methyl-l- trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,22- triene. MS: (M)+ 464 IR: cm "1 3432; 2931; 2878; 1452; 1371; 1257; 1214; 1169; 1134; 1094; 1050; 967; 863; 813. Example 2 (7E, 22E)-(1R. 3R)-23-[2-(l-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24- dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,22-triene-l,3-diol from (7E, 22E)-(1R, 3R)-1,3- Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[2-(l-methyl-l- trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,22- triene. MS: (M)+ 464 IR: cm-13424; 2947; 2870; 1621; 1444; 1371; 1048; 974; 757. Example 3 (7E, 22EM1R, 3R)-23-(3-Hydroxy-phenyl)-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco- chola-5,7,22-triene-l,3-diol from (7E, 22E)-(1R, 3R)-l,3-Bis-(tert-butyl- dimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[3-(l-methyl-l-trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)- phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,22-triene. MS: (M)+ 422 IR: cm-1 3 1 9 ; 30 42; 2947; 2869; 1613; 1585; 1451; 1375; 1286; 1260; 1229; 1156; 1044; 970; 777. Example 4 (7E, 22EM1R, 3R)-23-[3-d-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24- dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,22-triene-l,3-diol from (7E, 22E)-(1R, 3R)-1,3- Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[3-(l-methyl-l- trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,22- triene. MS: (M)+ 464 IR: cm-1 3 431; 2 947; 2871; 1627; 1050; 970; 702. Example 5 (7E)-(lR, 3R)-23-[2-(l-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor- 9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien-l,3-diol from (7E)-(1R, 3R)-l,3-Bis-(tert- butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[2-(l-methyl-l-trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)- phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7-diene. MS: (M)+ 466 IR: cm-1 3 2 2 ; 2944; 2871; 1619; 1442; 1376; 1047; 761 Example 6 (7E)-(1R, 3R)-23-[2-(l-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor- 9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien-22-yne-l,3-diol from (7E)-(1R, 3R)-l,3-Bis-(tert- butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[2-(l-methyl-l-trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)- phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7-diene-22-yne. MS: (M)+ 462 IR: cm-1 3415. 1931; 2 872; 1623; 1441; 1362; 1046; 759. Example 7 (7E)-(1R, 3R)-23-[3-(l-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor- 9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien-l,3-diol from (7E)-(1R, 3R)-l,3-Bis-(tert-butyl- dimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[3-(l-methyl-l-trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)- phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7-diene. MS: (M)+ 466 IR: cm-1 3 0 9; 2944; 2870; 1620; 1442; 1376; 1048; 793; 709. Example 8 (7E,)-(1R, 3R)-23-[3-(l-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor- 9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien-22-yne-l,3-diol from (7E)-(1R, 3R)-l,3-Bis-(tert- butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[3-(l-methyl-l-trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)- phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien-22-yne. MS: (M)+ 462 IR: cm-1 3 ι 0; 2931; 2872; 1619; 1451; 1415; 1366; 1309; 1272; 1217; 1174; 1142; 1081; 1047; 975; 795; 700. Example 9 (7E)-(1R, 3R)-23-[4-(l-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor- 9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien-l,3-diol from (7E)-(1R, 3R)-l,3-Bis-(tert- butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[4-(l-methyl-l-trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)- phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7-diene. MS: (M)+ 466 IR: cm-1 3396; 2944; 2870; 1617; 1511; 1450; 1409; 1376; 1258; 1215; 1170; 1145; 1118; 1048; 976; 954; 863; 813. Example 10 (7E,)-(lR, 3R)-23-[4-(l-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor- 9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien-22-yne-l,3-diol from (7E)-(1R, 3R)-l,3-Bis-(tert- butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[4-(l-methyl-l-trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)- phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien-22-yne. MS: (M)+ 462 IR: cm-1 3 422; 2966; 2931; 2872; 2238; 1619; 1503; 1451; 1365; 1308; 1255; 1217; 1172; 1142; 1110; 1092; 1047; 958; 862; 836. Example 11 (7E,)-(1R, 3R)-23-(3-Hydroxy-phenyl)-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7- dien-22-yne-l,3-diol from (7E)-(1R, 3R)-l,3-Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl- silanyloxy)-23-[3-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor- 9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien-22-yne. MS: (M)+ 420 IR: cm-1 33 4 5; 2 931; 2873; 2226; 1578; 1445; 1347; 1286; 1183; 1079; 1042; 977; 871; 782; 692. Example 12 (7E,)-(1R, 3R)-23-(3-Hydroxy-phenyl)-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7- dien-l,3-diol from (7E)-(1R, 3R)-l,3-Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)- 23-[3-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola- 5,7-diene. MS: (M)+ 424 IR: cm-1 343 ; 2 945; 2870; 1591; 1454; 1376; 1272; 1234; 1155; 1045; 975; 781; 695. Example 13 (7E)-(1R, 3R)-23-(4-Hydroxy-phenyl)-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7- dien-22-yne-l,3-diol from (7E)-(1R, 3R)-l,3-Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl- silanyloxy)-23-[4-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor- 9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien-22-yne. MS: (M)+ 420 IR: cm-1 :3 2 9 ; 2932; 2872; 1609; 1511; 1263; 1218; 1044; 832. Example 14 (5Z,7E)-(1S, SR^OR^S-β-d-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyD-phenyD^- nor-θdO-seco-chola-δ dOdθMrien^-yne-l.S-diol from δZ^EMlS, 3R,20R)-l,3-Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[3-(l-methyl-l- trimethyl-silanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]- 24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,10 (19)- trien-22-yne. MS: (M)+ 474 IR: cm-1 : 342 8; 2931; 2872; 2218; 1635; 1053; 897; 796; 700. Example 15 (7E)-(1R, 3R,20R)-23-[3-(l-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl)- 19,24- dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien-22-yne-l,3-diol from (7E)-(1R, 3R, 20R)-1,3- Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[3-(l-methyl-l- trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien- 22-yne. MS: (M)+ 462 IR: cm-l : 3413; 2930; 2873; 2230; 1620; 1487; 1047; 866; 801; 703. Example 16 (5Z,7E)-(1S, 3R,20R)-23-[2-d-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl)-24- nor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,10(19)-trien-22-yne-l,3-diol from (5Z,7E)-dS, 3R,20R)-l,3-Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[2-(l-methyl-l- trimethyl-silanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-24-nor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,10(19)- trien-22-yne. MS: (M)+ 474 IR: cm-l ; 3422; 2930; 2872; 1634; 1477; 1442; 1364; 1173; 1053; 954; 914; 859; 759. Example 17 (7E)-(lR, 3R,20R)-23-[2-(l-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl)- 19,24- dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien-22-yne-l,3-diol from (7E)-(1R, 3R, 20R)-1,3- Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[2-(l-methyl-l- trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien- 22-yne. MS: (M)+ 462 IR: cm-13417; 2930; 2872; 1620; 1445; 1363; 1307; 1230; 1173; 1119; 1046; 976; 953; 858; 759. Example 18 (5Z,7E)-(lS, 3R,20S)-23-[3-(l-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl)-24- nor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,10(19)-trien-l,3-diol from (5Z,7E)-(1S, 3R,20S)-1,3- Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[3-(l-methyl-l- trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]- 24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,10 (19)- triene. MS: (M)+ 478 IR: cm-13425; 2930;2871; 1632; 1380; 1055; 957; 899; 708. Example 19 (7E)-(lR, 3R,20S)-23-[3-(l-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl)- 19,24- dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien-l,3-diol from (7E)-(1R, 3R, 20S)-1,3-Bis- (tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[3-(l-methyl-l-trimethylsilanyloxy- ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7-diene. MS: (M)+ 466 IR: cm- 3414; 2933; 2871; 1616; 1490; 1450; 1376; 1175; 1082; 1047; 978; 959; 798; 708. Example 20 (5Z,7E)-(1S, 3R,20R)-23-(3-Hydroxy-phenyl)-24-nor-9,10-seco-chola- 5,7,10(19)-trien-22-yne -1,3-diol from (5Z,7E)-(1S, 3R,20R)-l,3-Bis-(tert- butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[3-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-phenyl]- 24-nor-9, 10-seco-chola-5 ,7,10 ( 19)-triene-22-yne. MS: (M)+ 432 IR: cm-13415; 2945; 2872; 2232; 1612; 1595; 1579; 1446; 1286; 1189; 1051; 782; 688. Example 21 (7EM1R, 3R,20R)-23-(3-Hydroxy-phenyl)-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco- chola-5,7- dien-22-yne -1,3-diol from (7E)-(1R, 3R, 20R)-l,3-Bis-(tert- butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[3-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-phenyl]- 19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7-diene -22-yne. MS: (M)+ 420 IR: cm-13422; 2932; 2873; 2240; 1611; 1594; 1579; 1448; 1287; 1184; 1044; 872; 788; 691. Example 22 (5Z,7E,22E)-(lS,3R,20S)-23-(3-Hydroxy-phenyl)-24-nor-9,10-seco- chola-5,7,10(19)-22-tetraene -1,3-diol from (5Z.7E,22E)-(1S, 3R,20S)-1,3- Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[3-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)- phenyl]- 24-nor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,10 (19),22-tetraene. MS: (M)+ 434 IR: cm-13432; 2950; 2869; 1612; 1586; 1451; 1282; 1258; 1153; 1052; 970; 957; 870; 773; 688. Example 23 (7E ,22E)-(1R, 3R,20S)-23-(3-Hydroxy-phenyl)-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco- chola-5,7,22 trien -1,3-diol from (7E,22E)-(1R, 3R, 20S)-l,3-Bis-(tert- butyldimethyl-silanyloxy )-23- [3-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy )-phenyl] - 19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,22-triene. MS: (M)+ 422 IR: cm-1 3422;2953; 2929; 2869; 1613; 1585; 1451; 1374; 1284; 1155; 1079; 1044; 972; 870; 972; 777; 691. Example 24 (7E)-(1R, 3R)-23-[5-(l-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-furan-2-yl]-19,24- dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien-22-yne-l,3-diol from (7E)-(1R, 3R)-1,3-Bis- (tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[5-(l-trimethylsilanyloxy-l-methyl- ethyl)-furan-2-yl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,10(19)-trien-22-yne-l,3- diol. MS: (M)+ 452 IR: cm-13345; 2 954; 2922; 2855; 2240; 1617; 1534; 1456; 1377; 1366; 1305; 1262; 1200; 1189; 1169; 1149; 1119; 1080; 1047; 1024; 9781963; 940; 789. Example 25 (5Z,7E)-(lS, 3R)-23-[5-(l-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-furan-2-yl]-24-nor- 9,10-seco-chola-5,7,10(19)-trien-22-yne-l,3-diol from (5Z,7E)-(1S, 3R)-1,3- Bis-(tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[5-(l-trimethylsilanyloxy-l- methyl-ethyl)-furan-2-yl]-19-nor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,10(19)-trien-22-yne- 1,3-diol. MS: (M)+ 464 IR: cm-1 3 360; 2934; 2880; 1538; 1453; 1380; 1366; 1309; 1264; 1203; 1183; 1170; 1148; 1121; 1052; 1023; 966; 899; 847; 791. Example 26 (5Z,7E)-(3S)-23-[5-(l-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-furan-2-yl]-24-nor- 9,10-seco-chola-5,7,10(19)-trien-22-yne-3-ol from (5Z,7E)-(3S)-3-(tert-Butyl- dimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[5-(l-trimethylsilanyloxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-furan- 2-yl]-19-nor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,10(19)-trien-22-yne-3-ol. MS: (M)+ 448 IR: cm-1 3 36 o ; 2940; 2880; 1540; 1443; 1380; 1367; 1267; 12003; 1172; 1150; 1122; 1052; 1028; 968; 947; 898; 870; 848; 791. Typically, the product of formula II, (5Z,7E)-(1S, 3R,20R)-1,3-Bis- (tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[2-(l-methyl-l-trimethyl-silanyloxy- ethyl)-phenyl]-24-nor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,10(19)-trien-22-yne was dissolved in a 1 molar solution of TBAF (tetra-butyl ammonium fluoride) in THF (2 ml; 2 mmol; 10 equivalents) and stirred over night at room temperature. The reaction mixture was then poured on chilled brine, extracted twice with ethyl acetate, washed twice with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent was removed. After flash-chromatography (eluent: hexanes/ isopropanoi 73/27) the product of the above Example 16, (5Z,7E)- (1S, 3R,20R)-23-[2-(l-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl)-24-nor-9,10-seco- chola-5,7,10(19)-trien-22-yne-l,3-diol was obtained as a colorless foam (71 mg; yield 73%). A) The following compounds of formula II were obtained from compounds of formula III and IV: Example 1A (7E, 22E)-(1R, 3R)-l,3-Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[4-(l- methyl-l-trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola- 5,7,22-triene from (E)-(1R, 3R, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3-[4-(l- methyl- l-trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-prop-2-enyl]-octahydro- inden-4-one. MS: (M)+ 765 IR: cm-1 433 ι ; 2 955; 2886; 2856; 1616; 1468; 1361; 1253; 1174; 1093; 1048; 917; 837; 775. Example 2A (7E, 22E)-(1R, 3R)-l,3-Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[2-(l- methyl-l-trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola- 5,7,22-triene from (E)-(1R, 3R, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3-[2-(l- methyl- l-trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl] -allyl] -octahydro-inden-4- one. MS: (M)+ 765 IR: cm-1 30 58; 2953; 2885; 2856; 1612; 1468; 1379; 1361; 1252; 1212; 1158; 1085; 1026; 960; 918; 836; 776; 697; 669. Example 3A (7E, 22E)-(1R, 3R)-l,3-Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[4-(l- methyl-l-trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola- 5,7,22-triene from (E)-(1R, 3R, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3-[2-(tert- butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-phenyl]-allyl]-octahydro-inden-4-one. MS: (M)+ 765 IR: cm-1 2 954; 2931; 2886; 2857; 1598; 1577; 1471; 1440; 1360; 1281; 1253; 1155; 1087; 1051; 1036; 1003; 963; 922; 836; 777; 692. Example 4A (7E, 22E)-(1R, 3R)-l,3-BisJtert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[3-(l- methyl-l-trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola- 5,7,22-triene from (E)-(1R, 3R, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3-[3-d- methyl-l-trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-allyl]-octahydro-inden-4- one. MS: (M- tBu-Si-OH)+ 632 IR: cm-1 2 954; 2887; 2856; 1602; 1467; 1361; 1252; 1172; 1086; 1048; 963; 922; 903; 878; 837; 775; 701. Example 5A (7E)-(lR,3R)-l,3-Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[2-(l-methyl- l-trimethyl-silanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7- diene from [IR, 3R, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[2-(l-methyl-l- trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-propenyl]-octahydro-inden-4-one. MS: (M)+ 767 IR: cm-12952; 2856; 1620; 1468; 1378; 1358; 1251; 1158; 1086; 1026; 837; 775; 752. Example 6A (7E)-(1R, 3R)-l,3-Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[2-(l-methyl- l-trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7- diene-22-yne from (IR, 3aR, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[2-(l- methyl-l-trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-prop-2-ynyl]-octahydro- inden-4-one. MS: (M)+ 762 IR: cm-1 2 953; 2930; 2884; 2857; 1621; 1470; 1359; 1252; 1080; 1048; 836; 775; 758. Example 7A (7E)-(1R, 3R)-l,3-Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[3-(l-methyl- l-trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7- diene from (IR, 3aR, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3-[3-(l-methyl-l- trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-propenyl]-octahydro-inden-4-one. MS: (M)+ 767 IR: cm-1 2 953; 2929; 2885; 2856; 1600; 1467; 1372; 1355; 1248; 1086; 1028; 837; 767. Example 8A (7E)-(1R, 3R)-l,3-Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[3-(l-methyl- l-trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7- dien-22-yne from (IR, 3aR, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[3-(l- methyl-l-trimethyl-silanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-prop-2-ynyl]-octahydro- inden-4-one. MS: (M)+ 763 IR: cm-1 2 953; 2929; 2884; 2855; 1470; 1358; 1252; 1084; 1046; 835; 774; 696. Example 9A (7EM1R, 3R)-l,3-Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[4-(l-methyl- l-trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7- diene from (IR, 3aR, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3-[4-(l-methyl-l- trimethyl-silanyloxy-ethyD-phenyl] -propenyl] -octahydro-inden-4-one. MS: (M)+ 767 IR: cm-1 2 953; 2884; 2856; 1620; 1380; 1861; 1252; 1172; 1086; 1030; 917; 836; 775. Example 10A (7E)-(1R, 3R)-l,3-Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[4-(l-methyl- l-trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7- dien-22-yne from (IR, 3aR, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[4-(l- methyl-l-trimethyl-silanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-prop-2-ynyl]-octahydro- inden-4-one. MS: (M)+ 763 IR: cm-1 2 954; 2931; 2885; 2857; 1620; 1502; 1467; 1377; 1359; 1253; 1173; 1091; 1046; 961; 916; 836; 775. Example 11A (7E)-(1R, 3R)-l,3-Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[3-(tert- butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien- 22-yne from (IR, 3aR, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-3-[4-(tert-butyldimethyl- silanyloxy)-l-methyl-phenyl]-propenyl]-octahydro-inden-4-one . MS: (M-H)+ 762 IR: cm-1 2 954; 2930; 2885; 2857; 1596; 1574; 14751 1426; 1360; 1289; 1254; 1195; 1086; 1025; 939; 878; 837; 777; 687. Example 12A (7E)-(1R, 3R)-l,3-Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[3-(tert-buty- ldimethyl-silanyloxy)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7-diene from (lR,3aR, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-3-[3-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-l- methyl-phenyl]-propyl]-octahydro-inden-4-one. MS: (M)+ 767 IR: cm-1 2 952; 2930; 2885; 2857; 1604; 1583; 1468; 1441; 1376; 1360; 1253; 1156; 1086; 1050; 1026; 1004; 960; 922; 837; 777; 696; 664. Example 13A (7EM1R, 3R)-l,3-Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[4-(tert-butyl- dimethyl-silanyloxy)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien-22-yne from (IR, 3aR, 7aR)-l-[(S)-3-[4-(tert-Butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-l-methyl- phenyl]-prodynyl]-7a-methyl-octahydro-inden-4-one. MS: (M)+ 763 IR: cm-1 2 956; 2930; 2886; 2857; 1602; 1507; 1469; 1360; 1255; 1089; 1051; 1026; 915; 837; 805; 777. Example 14A (5Z,7E)-( IS , 3R,20R)- l,3-Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23- [3-( 1- methyl-l-trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]- 24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola- 5,7,10 (19)-trien-22-yne from (IR, 3aR, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3- [3-(l-methyl-l-trimethyl-silanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-prop-2-ynyl]- octahydro-inden-4-one . MS: (M)+ 774.7 IR: cm-1 2 954; 2930; 2885; 2857; 1652; 1602; 1468; 1377; 1361; 1317; 1253; 1223; 1177; 1084; 1043; 1006; 909; 885; 836; 775; 701. Example 15A (7E)-(1R, 3R, 20R)-l,3-Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[3-(l- methyl-l-trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola- 5,7-dien-22-yne from (IR, 3aR, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3-[3-(l- methyl-l-trimethyl-silanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-prop-2-ynyl]-octahydro- inden-4-one. MS: (M)+ 762.6 IR: cm-1 2 953; 2929; 2885; 2856; 2241; 1625; 1602; 1468; 1378; 1360; 1252; 1221; 1176; 1086; 1048; 961; 902; 836; 800; 774; 699. Example 16A (5Z,7E)-(1S, 3R,20R)-l,3-Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[2-(l- methyl-l-trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]- 24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola- 5,7,10 (19)-trien-22-yne from (IR, 3aR, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3- [2-(l-methyl-l-trimethyl-silanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-prop-2-ynyl]- octahydro-inden-4-one . MS: (M)+ 774.5 IR: cm-1 2 953; 2930; 2886; 2857;1645; 1470; 1440; 1376; 1360;1253; 1176; 1078; 1045; 1006; 909; 879; 835; 777; 702; 683. Example 17A (7E)-(1R, 3R, 20R)-l,3-Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[2-(l- methyl-l-trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola- 5,7-dien-22-yne from (IR, 3aR, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3-[2-(l- methyl-l-trimethyl-silanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-prop-2-ynyl]-octahydro- inden-4-one. MS: (M)+ 762.6 IR: cm-1 2 954; 2930; 2857; 1620; 1470; 1359; 1252; 1175; 1085; 1048; 960; 908; 836; 776; 757; 698; 667. Example 18A (5Z,7E)-(1S, 3R,20R)-l,3-BisJtert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[3-d- methyl-l-trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]- 24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola- 5,7,10 (19)-triene from (IR, 3aR, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[3-(l- methyl-l-trimethyl-silanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-propyl]-octahydro-inden-4- one. MS: (M)+ 778.7 IR: cm-1 2 954; 2930; 2884; 2856; 1645; 1603; 1468; 1459; 1377; 1360; 1252; 1175; 1085; 1043; 909; 875; 837; 775; 706. Example 19A (7E)-(1R, 3R, 20R)-l,3-Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[3-(l- methyl-l-trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola- 5,7-diene from (IR, 3aR, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[3-d-methyl-l- trimethyl-silanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-propyl]-octahydro-inden-4-one. MS: (M)+ 766.7 IR: cm-1 2 953; 2929; 2885; 2856;1602; 1468; 1462; 1379; 1358; 1252; 1177; 1087; 1048; 1030; 962; 922; 837; 775; 706. Example 20A (5Z,7E)-(1S, 3R,20R)-l,3-Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[3- (tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-phenyl]- 24-nor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,10 (19)-triene-22-yne from (IR, 3aR, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3-[3- (tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-phenyl]-prop-2-ynyl]-octahydro-inden-4- one. MS: (M)+ 774.7 IR: cm-1 2 954; 2930; 2885; 2857; 1596; 1574; 1475; 1424; 1360; 1288; 1254; 1198; 1087; 1050; 1027; 1004; 980; 960; 941; 904; 878; 836; 777; 687. Example 21A (7E)-(1R, 3R, 20R)-l,3-Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[3-(tert- butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7-diene -22-yne from (IR, 3aR, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3-[3-(tert-butyl- dimethyl-silanyloxy)-phenyl]-prop-2-ynyl]-octahydro-inden-4-one. MS: (M)+ 762.6 IR: cm-1 2 954; 2931; 2885; 2857; 1596; 1574; 1475; 1424; 1376; 1360; 1289; 1254; 1198; 1156; 1086; 1051; 1027; 1004; 981; 961; 942; 905; 878; 836; 778; 688; 664. Example 22A (5Z,7E,22E)-(1S, 3R,20S)-l,3-Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23- [3-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-phenyl]- 24-nor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,10 (19),22-tetraene from E-(1R, 3aR, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[3- (tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-phenyl]-allyl]-octahydro-inden-4-one. MS: (M)+ 776.5 IR: cm-1 2955; 2930; 2888; 2857; 1599; 1577; 1470; 1438; 1362; 1280; 1254; 1158; 1081; 989; 909; 835; 777; 687. Example 23A (7E,22E)-(1R, 3R, 20S)-l,3-Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[3- (tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola- 5,7,22-triene from E-(1R, 3aR, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[3-(tert- butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-phenyl]-allyl]-octahydro-inden-4-one. Example 24A (7E)-(lR,3R)-l,3-Bis-(tert-butyl-dimethyl=silanyloxy)-23-[5-(l- (trimethyl-silanyloxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-furan-2-yl]-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco- chola-5,7-dien-22-yne-l,3-diol from (IR, 3R, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l- methyl-3-[5-(l-methyl-l-trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-furan-2-yl]-prop-2- ynyl] -octahydro-inden-4-one. MS: (M)+ 753.7 IR: cm-1 2 994; 2929; 2885; 2856; 1472; 1463; 1449; 1434; 1379; 1361; 1251; 1185; 1162; 1088; 1051; 1023; 1006; 960; 899; 875; 837; 774. Example 25A (5Z,7E)-(lS,3R)-l,3-Bis-(tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[5-(l- trimethyl-silanyloxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-furan-2-yl]-19-nor-9,10-seco-chola- 5,7,10(19)-trien-22-yne-l,3-diol from (IR, 3R, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l- methyl-3-[5-(l-methyl-l-trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-furan-2-yl]-prop-2- ynyl] -octahydro-inden-4-one. MS: (M)+ 764.7 Example 26A (5Z,7E)-(3R),3-(tert-Butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[5-(l-trimethyl- silanyloxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-furan-2-yl]-19-nor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,10(19)- trien-22-yne-3-ol from (IR, 3R, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[5-(l- methyl-l-trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-furan-2-yl]-prop-2-ynyl]-octahydro- inden-4-one. MS: (M)+634.5 Typically, the product of formula III, (3R,5R)-[2-[3,5-bis-(tert-butyl- dimethyl-silanyloxy )-cyclohexylidene] -ethyl] -diphenyl-phosphine oxide Tetrahedron Lett. 1991, 32, 7666) (399 mg; 0,698 mmol) was dissolved in dry THF (3 ml). At -78°C butyl lithium (1,6M in hexane; 0,530 ml; 0,848 mmol) was slowly added. The reaction mixture turned to an intense red color and was stirred for 30 minutes. Then the compound (E)-(1R, 3R, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3-[4-(l-methyl-l-trimethylsilanyloxy- ethyl)-phenyl]-prop-2-enyl]-octahydro-inden-4-one (144 mg; 0,349 mmol) was slowly added. After one hour at -78°C the reaction mixture was allowed to reach slowly room temperature. The reaction mixture was then poured on chilled brine, extracted twice with ether, washed twice with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvents were removed. After flash-chromatography (eluent: hexanes/ethyl-acetate 95/5) the compound of formula II of the above Example 1A, (7E, 22E)-(1R, 3R)-l,3-Bis-(tert-butyldimethyl- silanyloxy)-23-[4-(l-methyl-l-trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24- dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,22-triene (228 mg; 85% yield) was obtained as a colorless foam. For preparing compounds II containing a methylene group in the A-ring, (3S,5R)-[2-[3,5-bis-(tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-2-methylene- cyclohexylidene] -ethyl] -diphenyl-phosphine oxide was used instead of the above used phosphine oxide. B) The following compounds of formula IV were obtained from compounds of formula V: Example IB (E)-(1R, 3R, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3-[4-(l-methyl-l- trimethyl-silanyl-oxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-prop-2-enyl]-octahydro-inden-4-one from (E)-(1R, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-l-[(R)-l-Methyl-3-[4-(l-hydroxy-l-methyl- ethyl)-phenyl-propenyl]-7a-methyl-octahydro-inden-4-ol. MS: (M)+ 412 IR: cm-1 2 959; 2874; 1714; 1507; 1458; 1379; 1254; 1173; 1098; 1039; 969; 912; 840; 755. Example 2B (E)-(1R, 3R, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3-[2-(l-methyl-l- trimethyl-silanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-allyl]-octahydro-inden-4-one from (E)-(1R, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-l-[(R)-l-Methyl-3-[2-(l-hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)- phenyl-propenyl]-7a-methyl-octahydro-inden-4-ol. MS: (M)+ 412 IR: cm-1 2 958; 2873; 1714; 1457; 1380; 1248; 1158; 1025; 913; 838; 757. Example 3B (E)-(1R, 3R, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3-[3-(l-methyl-l- trimethyl-silanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl] -allyl] -octahydro-inden-4-one from (E)-(1R, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-l-[(R)-3-[3-(l-hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl- propeny]-7a-methyl-octahydro-inden-4-ol. MS: (M)+ 412 IR: cm-1 2959; 2874; 1714; 1500; 1458; 1379; 1251; 1175; 1085; 1039; 968; 878; 841; 790; 754; 703. Example 4B [IR, 3R, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[2-(l-methyl-l-trimethyl- silanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl] -propenyl] -octahydro-inden-4-one from [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[2-(l-hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)- phenyl-propenyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol. MS: (M-CH3)+ 399 IR: cm-1 2 958; 2875; 1715; 1465; 1445; 1380; 1248; 1159; 1026; 912; 839; 757. Example 5B (IR, 3aR, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[2-(l-methyl-l- trimethylsilanyl-oxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-prop-2-ynyl]-octahydro-inden-4-one from [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3-[2-(l-hydroxy-l- methyl-ethyl)-phenyl-propynyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol. MS: (M)+ 410 IR: cm-1 2 964; 2876; 1715; 1476; 1455; 1379; 1249; 1176; 1073; 1044; 910; 841; 759. Example 6B (IR, 3aR, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3-[3-(l-methyl-l- trimethylsilanyl-oxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-propenyl]-octahydro-inden-4-one from [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[3-(l-hydroxy-l- methyl-ethyl)-phenyl-propenyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol. MS: (M+H)+ 415 IR: cm-1 2 958; 2874; 1715; 1607; 1458; 1380; 1251; 1175; 1088; 1037; 840; 796; 755; 707. Example 7B (IR, 3aR, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[3-(l-methyl-l- trimethylsilanyl-oxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-prop-2-ynyl]-octahydro-inden-4-one from [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3-[3-(l-hydroxy-l- methyl-ethyl)-phenyl-propynyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol. MS: (M)+ 410 IR: cm-1 2 963; 2876; 1715; 1598; 1470; 1455; 1380; 1307; 1250; 1176; 1083; 1040; 904; 841; 796; 755; 701. Example 8B (IR, 3aR, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3-[4-(l-methyl-l- trimethylsilanyl-oxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-propenyl]-octahydro-inden-4-one rom [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[4-(l-hydroxy-l- methyl-ethyl)-phenyl-propenyl] -octahydro-inden-4-ol . MS: (M-CH3)+ 399 IR: cm-1 2 958; 2874; 1715; 1512; 1458; 1379; 1252; 1173; 1101; 1037; 913; 840; 757. Example 9B (IR, 3aR, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[4-d-methyl-l- trimethylsilanyl-oxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-prop-2-ynyl]-octahydro-inden-4-one from [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3-[4-(l-hydroxy-l- methyl-ethyl)-phenyl-propynyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol. MS: (M)+ 410 IR: cm-1 2 963; 2876; 1715; 1502; 1455; 1380; 1253; 1174; 1096; 912; 839; 755. Example 10B (IR, 3aR, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3-[3-(l-methyl-l- trimethylsilanyl-oxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-prop-2-ynyl]-octahydro-inden-4-one from [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-3-[3-(l-hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)- phenyl]-l-methyl-prop-2-ynyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol. MS: (M)+ 410 IR: cm-1 964; 2875; 1714; 1600; 1480; 1455; 1415; 1381; 1315; 1250; 1225; 1176; 1084; 1039; 841; 799; 756; 701. Example 11B (IR, 3aR, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3-[2-(l-methyl-l- trimethylsilanyl-oxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-prop-2-ynyl]-octahydro-inden-4-one from [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-3-[2-(l-hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)- phenyl]-l-methyl-prop-2-ynyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol. MS: (M)+ 410 IR: cm-1 2 964; 2875; 1715; 1476; 1455; 1379; 1313; 1248; 1175; 1071; 1045; 909; 842; 759. Example 12B (IR, 3aR, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[3-(l-methyl-l- trimethylsilanyl-oxy-ethyl)-phenyl] -propyl] -octahy dro-inden-4-one from [lR,3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-3-[3-d-hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)- phenyl]-l-methyl-propyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol. MS: (M+H)+ 415 IR: cm-l2960; 2875; 1715; 1462; 1383; 1250; 1175; 1096; 1038; 840; 800; 762; 712. Example 13B (IR, 3R, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[5-d-methyl-l-trimethyl- silanyloxy-ethyl)-furan-2-yl]-prop-2-ynyl]-octahydro-inden-4-one from[lR,3aR,4S,7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3-[5-(l-methyl-l- hydroxy-ethyl)-furan-2-yl] -prop-2-ynyl] -octahydro-inden-4-ol . MS: (M)+ 400 IR: cm-1 2 963; 2876; 1716; 1542; 1455; 1380; 1364; 1262; 1251; 1217; 1206; 1184; 1162; 1123; 1036; 898; 842; 791; 756. Typically, the compound of formula V, (E)-(1R, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-l-[(R)- l-Methyl-3-[4-(l-hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl-propenyl]-7a-methyl- octahydro-inden-4-ol (137 mg; 0,40 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (6 ml). PDC (226 mg; 0,60 mmol) was added portion wise at room temperature, and the stiring was resumed for one hour. The reaction mixture was then poured on chilled brine, extracted twice with ethyl acetate, washed twice with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent was removed. After flash- chromatography (eluent: hexanes/ethyl-acetate 67/33), the obtained intermediate was dissolved in dry THF (6 ml). Then, at 0°C 1- trimethylsilyl-imidazol (57,7 μl; 0,394 mmol), imidazol (13,4 mg; 0,197 mmol) and trimethylsilylchloride (24,9 μl; 0,197 mmol) were added sequentially. After twenty minutes at -0°C the reaction mixture was allowed to reach slowly room temperature. The reaction mixture was then poured on chilled brine, extracted twice with ethyl acetate, washed twice with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvents were removed. After flash- chromatography (eluent: hexanes/ethyl-acetate 85/15) the compound of formula IV in the above Example IB, (E)-(1R, 3R, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)- l-methyl-3-[4-(l-methyl-l-trimethyl-silanyl-oxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-prop-2- enyl]-octahydro-inden-4-one (148 mg; 89% yield) was obtained as a yellow oil. C) The following compounds of formula IV were obtained from compounds of formula V: Example IC (E)-(1R, 3R, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3-[3-(tert-butyldimethyl- silanyl-oxy)-phenyl]-allyl] -octahy dro-inden-4-one from (E)-(1R, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-l-[(R)-l-Methyl-3-[3-(hydroxy-phenyl)-propenyl]-7a-methyl- octahydro-inden-4-ol. MS: (M)+ 412 IR: cm-1 2956; 2931; 2888; 2861; 1708; 1599; 1577; 1485; 1465; 1429; 1382; 1282; 156; 1160; 978; 859; 782; 692. Example 2C (IR, 3aR, 7aR)-l-[(S)-l-Methyl-3-[3-(tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)- phenyl] prop-2-ynyl]- 7a-methyl-octahydro-inden-4-one from [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-(3-hydroxy-phenyl)-prop-2-ynyl]-7a-methyl octahydro-inden-4-ol . Example 3C (IR, 3aR, 7aR)-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3-[3-(tert-Butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)- phenyl] -proρ-2-ynyl]-7a-methyl-octahydro-inden-4-one (from (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3-(3-hydroxy-phenyl)-prop-2-ynyl]-7a-methyl- octahy dro-inden-4-ol . MS: (M)+ 414 IR: cm-1 2 957; 2858; 1714; 1603; 1583; 1483; 1442; 1379; 1273; 1260; 1157; 976; 889; 842; 782; 696. Example 4C (IR, 3aR, 7aR)-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[4-(tert-Butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)- phenyl] -prop-2-ynyl]-7a-methyl-octahydro-inden-4-one from (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-l-[(S)-3-[4-(tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-phenyl]-l-methyl- prop-2-ynyl]-7a-methyl-octahydro-inden-4-ol. MS: (M)+ 410 IR: cm-1 2 958; 2932; 2882; 2858; 1715; 1602; 1506; 1469; 1380; 1262; 1166; 1096; 911; 841; 805; 781. Example 5C (lR, 3aR, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3-[3-(tert-butyl-dimethyl- silanyl-oxy)-phenyl] -prop-2-ynyl] -octahy dro-inden-4-one from ( IR, 3aR,4S 7aR)-l-[(R)-l-Methyl-3-(3-hydroxy-phenyl)]-prop-2-ynyl]- 7a- methyl octahy dro-inden-4-ol. MS: (M)+ 410 IR: cm-1 2 957; 2932; 2883; 2859; 2215; 1715; 1596; 1573; 1477; 1422; 1380; 1289; 1256; 1196; 1004; 976; 945; 913; 877; 839; 785; 689. Example 6C E-(1R, 3aR, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[3-(tert-butyl- dimethylsilanyl-oxy)-phenyl]-allyl] -octahy dro-inden-4-one from E-(1R, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[3Jtert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)- ρhenyl]-allyl]-7a-methyl-octahydro-inden-4-ol. MS: (M)+ 412 IR: cm-1 2 958; 2859; 1714; 1598; 1576; 1477; 1380; 1280; 1254; 1156; 973; 853; 842; 783; 691. Typically, the alcohol of formula V, (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-l-[(R)-l- methyl-3-(3-hydroxy-phenyl)-prop-2-ynyl]-7a-methyl-octahydro-inden-4- ol(236 mg; 0,78 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (5 ml). Tert-butyldimethyl- silylchloride (130 mg; 0,86 mmol) and imidazol (133 mg; 1,95 mmol) were added at room temperature, and the stirring was resumed for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was then poured on chilled aqueous HCI solution, extracted twice with ethyl acetate, washed twice with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent was removed. After flash- chromatography (eluent: hexanes/ethyl-acetate 85/15), the intermediate (ketone of formula IV-A) was obtained as a yellow oil. The intermediate was dissolved in DMF (6 ml). PDC (333 mg; 0,885 mmol) was added portion wise at room temperature, and the stirring was resumed for one hour. The reaction mixture was then poured on chilled brine, extracted twice with ethyl acetate, washed twice with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent was removed. After flash- chromatography (eluent: hexanes/ethyl-acetate 88/12) the compound of formula IV in the above Example 3C (IR, 3aR, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-3- [3-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-l-methyl-phenyl]-prop-2-ynyl]- octahydro-inden-4-one (236 mg; overall yield: 73%) was obtained as a colorless oil. D) The following compounds of formula V were obtained from compounds of formula VI: Example ID (E)-(1R, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-l-[(R)-l-Methyl-3-[4-(l-hydroxy-l-methyl- ethyl)-phenyl-propenyl]-7a-methyl-octahydro-inden-4-ol from (E)-4-[(R)- 3-K1R, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-Hydroxy-7a-methyl-octahydro-inden-l-yl]-but-l- enyl]-benzoic acid ethyl ester. MS: (M)+ 342 IR: cm-1 3 1 3 ; 2 931; 2867; 1640; 1510; 1458; 1368; 1257; 1161; 1093; 961; 862; 814; 565. Example 2D (E)-(1R, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-l-[(R)-l-Methyl-3-[2-(l-hydroxy-l-methyl- ethyl)-phenyl-propenyl]-7a-methyl-octahydro-inden-4-ol from (E)-2-[(R)- 3-[(lR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-Hydroxy-7a-methyl-octahydro-inden- 1-yl] -but- 1- enyl]-benzoic acid ethyl ester. MS: (M)+ 342 IR: cm-1 3426; 2934; 2867; 1640; 1448; 1368; 1245; 1163; 1067; 989; 945; 761; 751. Example 3D (E)-(1R, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-l-[(R)-3-[3-(l-hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl- propeny]-7a-methyl-octahydro-inden-4-ol from (E)-3-[(R)-3-[(lR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-Hydroxy-7a-methyl-octahydro-inden-l-yl]-but-l-enyl]-benzoic acid ethyl ester. MS: (M)+ 342 IR: cm-13406; 2933; 2868; 1600; 1455; 1370; 1252; 1164; 963; 790; 700. Example 4D [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[2-(l-hydroxy-l- methyl-ethyl)-phenyl-propenyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]- 7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[2-(carboxylic acid ethyl ester)-phenyl- propenyl] -octahydro-inden-4-ol . MS: (M-H2θ)+ 326 IR: cm-1 3405; 2936; 2870; 1468; 1442; 1373; 1241; 1065; 992; 943; 759. Example 5D [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3-[2-(l-hydroxy-l- methyl-ethyl)-phenyl-propynyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol from (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-Hydroxy-l-[(S)-3-[2-(carboxylic acid ethyl ester)-phenyl-l-methyl- propynyl]-7a-methyl-octahydro-indene. MS: (M)+ 340 IR: cm-1 3422; 2919; 2850; 2213; 1470; 1429; 1398; 1340; 1283; 1219; 1122; 1095; 1059; 1031; 948; 721. Example 6D [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[3-(l-hydroxy-l- methyl-ethyl)-phenyl-propenyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol from from [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[3-(carboxylic acid ethyl ester)- phenyl-propenyl] -octahy dro-inden-4-ol . MS: (M)+ 344 IR: cm-13393. 2 930; 2868; 1604; 1487; 1441; 1371; 1263; 1163; 1068; 990; 952; 940; 886; 790; 706. Example 7D [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3-[3-(l-hydroxy-l- methyl-ethyl)-phenyl-propynyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol from (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-Hydroxy-l-[(S)-3-[3-(carboxylic acid ethyl ester)-phenyl-l-methyl- propynyl]-7a-methyl-octahydro-indene. MS: (M)+ 340 IR: cm-1 3424; 2970; 2934; 2872; 2218; 1600; 1470; 1455; 1372; 1268; 1167; 992; 951; 894; 862; 796; 701. Example 8D [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[4-(l-hydroxy-l- methyl-ethyl)-phenyl-propenyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol from [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[4-(carboxylic acid ethyl ester)-phenyl- propenyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol. MS: (M)+ 344 IR: cm-1 3377; 2 974; 2938; 2867; 1510; 1459; 1407; 1376; 1316; 1261; 1165; 1141; 1098; 1078; 994; 952; 861; 810. Example 9D [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3-[4-d-hydroxy-l- methyl-ethyD-phenyl-propynyl] -octahy dro-inden-4-olfrom (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-Hydroxy-l-[(S)-3-[4-(carboxylic acid ethyl ester)-phenyl-l-methyl- propynyl]-7a-methyl-octahydro-indene. MS: (M)+ 340 IR: cm-1 3412; 2970; 2932; 2870; 2214; 1602; 1502; 1455; 1365; 1257; 1167; 1107; 1042; 988; 950; 857; 835; 569. Example 10D [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-3-[3-(l-hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)- phenyl]-l-methyl-propyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol from 3-[(S)-3-[(lR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-Hydroxy-7a-methyl- octahydro-inden-1-yl] -butyl] -benzoic acid ethyl ester. MS: (M)+ 344 IR: cm-l3406; 2932; 2869; 1726; 1608; 1490; 1457; 1374; 1261; 1166; 1087; 989; 951; 890; 837; 792; 707. Example IIP [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-3-[3-(l-hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)- phenyl]-l-methyl-prop-2-ynyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol from (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-Hydroxy-l-[(R)-3-[3-(carboxylic acid ethyl ester)-phenyl-l-methyl- propynyl]-7a-methyl-octahydro-indene. MS: (M)+ 340 IR: cm-13397; 2969; 2933; 2870; 2230; 1600; 1480; 1454; 1415; 1370; 1310; 1268; 1082; 1068; 987; 952; 892; 862; 794; 708. Example 12D [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-3-[2-(l-hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)- phenyl]-l-methyl-prop-2-ynyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol from (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-Hydroxy-l-[(R)-3-[2-(carboxylic acid ethyl ester)-phenyl-l-methyl- propynyl]-7a-methyl-octahydro-indene. MS: (M)+ 340 IR: cm-13439; 2931; 2869; 2220; 1477; 1450; 1438; 1366; 1307; 1265; 1231; 1166; 1119; 1065; 1034; 988; 949; 855; 759. Example 13D [lR,3aR,4S,7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-3-[5-(l-methyl-l- hydroxy-ethyl)-furan-2-yl]-ρrop-2-ynyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol from [lR,3aR,4S,7aR]-7a-Methyl-4-(tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-l-[(R)-l- methyl-3-[5-carboxylic acid ethyl ester- furan-2-yl]-prop-2-ynyl]- octahydro-indene. MS: (M)+ 330 IR: cm-1 3409; 2969; 2934; 2872; 1732; 1719; 1504; 1455; 1373; 1305; 1256; 1201; 1166; 1145; 1120; 1021; 963; 946; 789. Typically, the compound of formula VI (E)-4-[(R)-3-[(lR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-hydroxy-7a-methyl-octahydro-inden-l-yl]-but-l-enyl]-benzoic acid ethyl ester (177 mg; 0,496 mmol) was dissolved in dry THF (6 ml). Methylmagnesiumchlorid (3M solution in THF; 1,0 ml; 2,98 mmol) was added at 0°C. And the reaction was stirred for three hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture was then poured on chilled brine, extracted twice with ethyl acetate, washed twice with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent was removed. After flash- chromatography (eluent: hexanes/ethyl-acetate 67/33) the compound of formula V of the above Example ID (E)-(1R, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-l-[(R)-l- Methyl-3-[4-(l-hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl-propenyl]-7a-methyl- octahydro-inden-4-ol (144 mg; yield: 85%) was obtained as a colorless foam. E) The following compounds of formula VI were obtained by hydrogenation in the side chain: Example IE [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[2-(carboxylic acid ethyl ester)-phenyl-propenyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol from (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-Hydroxy-l-[(S)-3-[2-(carboxylic acid ethyl ester)-phenyl-l-m ethyl - propynyl]-7a-methyl-octahydro-indene. MS: (M)+ 358 IR: cm-13500; 1720; 1602; 1577; 1447; 1368; 1257; 1167; 1136; 1098; 1069; 990; 942; 750; 711. Example 2E [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[3-(carboxylic acid ethyl ester)-phenyl-propenyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol from (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-Hydroxy-l-[(S)-3-[3-(carboxylic acid ethyl ester)-phenyl-l-methyl- propynyl]-7a-methyl-octahydro-indene. MS: (M)+ 358 IR: cm-1 3528; 2939; 2868; 1719; 1608; 1590; 1444; 1369; 1280; 1197; 1104; 1024; 992; 946; 862; 751; 698. Example 3E [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[4-(carboxylic acid ethyl ester)-phenyl-propenyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol from (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-Hydroxy-l-[(S)-3-[4-(carboxylic acid ethyl ester)-phenyl-l-methyl- propynyl]-7a-methyl-octahydro-indene. MS: (M)+ 358 IR: cm-1-3538; 2935; 2868; 1718; 1611; 1463; 1368; 1276; 1177; 1106; 1022; 993; 943; 850; 768; 708. Example 4E 3-[(S)-3-[(lR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-Hydroxy-7a-methyl- octahydro-inden- 1-yl] -butyl] -benzoic acid ethyl ester from (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-Hydroxy-l- [(R)-3-[3-(carboxylic acid ethyl ester)-phenyl-l-methyl-propynyl]-7a- methyl-octahydro-indene. MS: (M)+ 358 IR: cm-1 352 8; 2932; 2870; 1719; 1609; 1591; 1445; 1370; 1282; 1197; 1105; 1024; 990; 947; 751; 695. Example 5E 3-[(R)-3-[(lR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-Hydroxy-7a-methyl- octahydro-inden- 1-yl] -butyl] -phenol from [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3- (3-hydroxy-phenyl)-propynyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol. MS: (M)+ 302 IR: cm-1 3523; 3234; 3034; 2996; 2936; 2867; 1619; 1585; 1480; 1372; 1349; 1295; 1249; 1153; 1063; 982; 956; 941; 784; 695. Typically, the compound of formula VI, (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4- Hydroxy-l-[(S)-3-[2-(carboxylic acid ethyl ester)-phenyl-l-methyl- propynyl]-7a-methyl-octahydro-indene (218 mg; 0,615 mmol) was dissolved in dry ethanol (12 ml). Palladium on carbon (10%; 55 mg) was added and the reaction was put under hydrogen at one atmosphere for 12 hours at room temperature. The catalyst was filtered off and the solvent was evaporated. The compound of formula VI of the above Example IE, the [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[2-(carboxylic acid ethyl ester)-phenyl- propenyl] -octahydro-inden-4-ol (226 mg; yield: 100%) was obtained as a yellowish oil. F) The following compounds of formula V or VI were obtained from compounds of formula VII or IX Example IF (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-Hydroxy-l-[(S)-3-[2-(carboxylic acid ethyl ester)- phenyl-l-methyl-propynyl]-7a-methyl-octahydro-indene from (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-(tert-Butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-7a-methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl- prop-y nyl] -octahy dro-indene . MS: (M)+ 354 IR: cm-13530; 3440; 2934; 2872; 2218; 1726; 1597; 1568; 1481; 1446; 1367; 1292; 1248; 1165; 1131; 1080; 1042; 758. Example 2F (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-Hydroxy-l-[(S)-3-[3-(carboxylic acid ethyl ester)- phenyl-l-methyl-propynyl]-7a-methyl-octahydro-indene from (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-(tert-Butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-7a-methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl- prop-ynyl]-octahydro-indene. MS: (M)+ 354 IR: cm-1 3531 . 2 934; 2872; 2216; 1721; 1600; 1578; 1451; 1369; 1290; 1228; 1166; 1105; 1079; 1024; 992; 756; 685. Example 3F (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-Hydroxy-l-[(S)-3-[4-(carboxylic acid ethyl ester)- phenyl-l-methyl-propynyl]-7a-methyl-octahydro-indene from (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-(tert-Butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-7a-methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl- prop-ynyl]-octahydro-indene. MS: (M)+ 354 IR: cm-1 3530; 2934; 2872; 2216; 1719; 1605; 1451; 1405; 1368; 1272; 1174; 1106; 1022; 857; 770; 698. Example 4F [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-(3-hydroxy-phenyl)- propynyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol from [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)- l-methyl-prop-2-ynyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol. MS: (M-H)+ 297 IR: cm-1 3441; 3140; 2946; 2881; 2220; 1611; 1571; 1479; 1450; 1359; 1327; 1285; 1182; 1157; 1064; 988; 947; 878; 783; 689. Example 5F (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-l-[(S)-l-methyl-3-[4-(tert-Butyl-dimethyl- silanyloxy)-phenyl] -prop-2-ynyl] -7a-methyl-octahydro-inden-4-ol from [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-prop-2-ynyl]-octahydro- inden-4-ol. MS: (M-H)+ 412 IR: cm-1 340 o ; 2931; 2859; 1602; 1506; 1470; 1362; 1258; 1165; 1097; 1063; 912; 840; 806; 781; 675. Example 6F [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-3-(3-hydroxy-phenyl)-l-methyl- prop-2-ynyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol from [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l- [(R)-l-methyl-prop-2-ynyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol. MS: (M-H)+ 298 IR: cm-l3561; 3226; 2938; 2875; 2228; 1611; 1570; 1471; 1453; 1377; 1328; 1291; 1234; 1183; 1153; 1085; 1000; 989; 958; 936; 888; 880; 789; 692. Example 7F (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-Hydroxy-l-[(R)-3-[3-(carboxylic acid ethyl ester)-phenyl-l-methyl-prop-2-ynyl]-7a-methyl-octahydro-indene from (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-(tert-Butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-7a-methyl-l-[(R)-l- methyl-prop-2-ynyl]-octahydro-indene. MS: (M-H)+ 354 IR: cm-1 352 4 ; 3 468; 2934; 2870; 2238; 1721; 1602; 1582; 1476; 1453; 1428; 1370; 1291; 1229; 1167; 1106; 1080; 1025; 989; 960; 756; 685. Example 8F (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-Hydroxy-l-[(R)-3-[2-(carboxylic acid ethyl ester)-phenyl-l-methyl-prop-2-ynyl]-7a-methyl-octahydro-indene from (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-(tert-Butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-7a-methyl-l-[(R)-l- methyl-prop-2-ynyl]-octahydro-indene. MS: (M-H)+ 354 IR: cm-1 3538; 3 468; 2933; 2870; 2240; 1714; 1600; 1570; 1482; 1447; 1369; 1292; 1249; 1167; 1132; 1076; 1042; 989; 949; 758; 701. Example 9F [lR,3aR,4S,7aR]-7a-Methyl-4-(tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-l-[(R)- l-methyl-3-[5-carboxylic acid ethyl ester-furan-2-yl]-prop-2-ynyl]- octahydro-indene from (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-(tert-Butyl-dimethyl- silanyloxy)-7a-methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-prop-ynyl]-octahydro-indene. MS: (M)+ 330 IR: cm-1 3 540;2935; 2873; 2242; 1722; 1589; 1508; 1470; 1457; 1445; 1436; 1361; 1302; 1244; 1142; 991; 761. Typically, the compounds of formula IX, (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-(tert- Butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-7a-methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-propynyl]- octahydro-indene (1000 mg; 3,12 mmol) and ethyl-2-iodobenzoat (1290 mg; 4,68 mmol) were dissolved in Piperidin (15 ml). The reaction mixture was degassed and Bis-(triphenylphosphin)-palladium (II)- dichloride (219 mg; 0,312 mmol) and copper-(I)-iodide were added. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for two hours then was heated at 50°C overnight. The reaction mixture was then poured on chilled aqueous hydrochloric acid, extracted twice with ethyl acetate, washed twice with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent was removed. After flash-chromatography (eluent: hexanes/ethyl-acetate 96/4) the impure adduct was obtained as a brown oil. The brown oil was dissolved in THF (25 ml). Hydrofluoric acid (40% aqueous solution; 13 ml) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for forty hours. The reaction mixture was then poured on chilled brine, extracted twice with ethyl acetate, washed twice with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent was removed. After flash- chromatography (eluent: hexanes/ethyl-acetate 82/18) the compound of formula VI of the above Example IF, (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-Hydroxy-l-[(S)- 3-[2-(carboxylic acid ethyl ester)-phenyl-l-methyl-propynyl]-7a-methyl- octahydro-indene (642 mg; yield: 58%) was obtained as a yellow oil. G) The following compounds of formula V or VI were obtained from compounds of formula VIII: Example 1G (E)-4-[(R)-3-[(lR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-Hydroxy-7a-methyl-octahydro- inden-l-yl]-but-l-enyl]-benzoic acid ethyl ester from (E)-(R)-(1R, 3aR, 4S, 7aR) -7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-methyl-3-tributylstannyl-allyl]-octahydro-inden-4- ol. MS: (M+H)+ 357 IR: cm-1 352 2; 2934; 2869; 1715; 1646; 1606; 1456; 1411; 1368; 1275; 1178; 1106; 1068; 1022; 969; 873; 705; 704. Example 2G (E)-2-[(R)-3-[(lR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-Hydroxy-7a-methyl-octahydro- inden- 1-yl] -but- 1-enyl] -benzoic acid ethyl ester from (E)-(R)-(1R, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-methyl-3-tributylstannyl-allyl]-octahydro-inden-4- ol. MS: (M)+356 IR: cm-1 352 7; 2933; 2869; 1716; 1646; 1602; 1571; 1477; 1449; 1367; 1294; 1251; 1166; 1127; 1074; 1023; 990; 965; 751; 709. Example 3G (E)-3-[(R)-3-[(lR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-Hydroxy-7a-methyl-octahydro- inden-l-yl]-but-l-enyl]-benzoic acid ethyl ester from (E)-(R)-(1R, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-methyl-3-tributylstannyl-allyl]-octahydro-inden-4- ol. MS: (M)+356 IR: cm-1 35 24 ; 2934; 2868; 1719; 1648; 1601; 1582; 1443; 1369; 1286; 1201; 1167; 1106; 1025; 965; 752. Example 4G (E)-(1R, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-l-[(R)-l-Methyl-3-[3-(hydroxy-phenyl)-prop-2- enyl]-7a-methyl-octahydro-inden-4-ol from (E)-(R)-(1R, 3aR, 4S, 7aR) -7a- Methyl-l-[(S)-methyl-3-tributylstannyl-allyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol. MS: (M)+300 IR: cm-1 3430; 3 259; 2940; 2863; 1613; 1579; 1500; 1454; 1364; 1331; 1250; 1159; 1060; 963; 778; 686. Example 5G E-(lR,3R,4S,7aR)-7a-Methyl-l[(S)-l-methyl-3-[2-(tert-butyl-dimethyl- silanyl-oxy)-phenyl]allyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol from(E)-(R)-(lR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR) -7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-methyl-3-tributylstannyl-allyl]-octahydro-inden-4- ol. NMR (CDC1 3 ; J in Hz; 250 MHz): 7,14 (t; J=8,l; IH); 6.91(dm; J=8,l; IH); 6.81 (sbr;lH); 6,67 (dm; J=8,l; IH); 6.24 (d(AB); J=16.2; IH); 6.00 (d(AB)d; J=16.2, 9.6; IH); 4,07 (m; IH); 2,31-0.86 (m; 13H); 0.99(d; J=6.1; 3H); 0.98 (s; 9H); 0.93(s; 3H); 0.19 (s; 3H). Typically, the compound of formula VIII, (E)-(R)-(1R, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-methyl-3-tributylstannyl-allyl]-octahydro-inden-4- ol (437 mg; 0,858 mmol) and ethyl-4-iodobenzoat (249 mg; 0,90 mmol) were dissolved in toluene (8 ml). The reaction mixture was degassed and Bis-(triphenylphosphin)-palladium(II)-dichloride (31 mg; 0,043 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was heated at 75°C overnight. The reaction mixture was then poured on chilled brine, extracted twice with ethyl acetate, washed twice with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent was removed. After flash- chromatography (eluent: hexanes/ethyl-acetate 8/2) the compound of formula VI of Example IG, (E)-4-[(R)-3-[(lR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-Hydroxy-7a- methyl-octahydro-inden-l-yl]-but-l-enyl]-benzoic acid ethyl ester (182 mg; yield: 60%) was obtained as a brown oil. In Example 5G, 3-(tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-iodobenzene is utilized instead of ethyl-4-iodobenzoate. H) The following compound of formula VIII were obtained from compounds of formula VII: Example IH (EMR)-(IR. 3aR, 4S, 7aR) -7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-methyl-3- tributylstannyl-allyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol from [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a- Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-prop-2-nyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol. NMR (CDC1 3 ; J in Hz; 250 MHz): 5.74 (m; 2H); 4,08 (m;lH); 2,18-0.82 (m; 47H). Example 2H (E)-(R)-(1R, 3aR, 4S, 7aR) -7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-methyl-3- tributylstannyl-allyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol from [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a- Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-prop-2-nyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol. IR: cm-13408; 2954; 2926; 2870; 1594; 1458; 1374; 1160; 1069; 990; 942; 882. Typically, the compound of formula VII [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a- Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-prop-2-nyl]-octahydro-inden-4-ol (494 mg; 2,39 mmol) was dissolved in toluene (16 ml). Then tributyltinhydride (698 μl; 2,63 mmol) and Azobisisobutyronitrile (39 mg; 0,24 mmol) were added and reaction mixture was heated at 80°C for three hours. The reaction mixture was then poured on chilled brine, extracted twice with ethyl acetate, washed twice with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent was removed. After flash- chromatography (eluent: hexanes/ethyl-acetate 9/1) the compound (E)- (R)-(1R, 3aR, 4S, 7aR) -7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-methyl-3-tributylstannyl-allyl]- octahydro-inden-4-ol (908 mg; yield: 74%) was obtained as a colorless oil. I ) The following compounds of formula VII were obtained from compounds of formula IX: Example II [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-prop-2-nyl]-octahydro- inden-4-ol from (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-(tert-Butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-7a- methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-propynyl]-octahydro-indene. MS: (M-CH 3 )+ 191 IR: cm-1 3 2 9; 3307; 2935; 2872; 2118; 1454; 1374; 1268; 1233; 1163; 1066; 989; 943; 625. Example 21 [IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-prop-2-nyl]-octahydro- inden-4-ol from(lR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-(tert-Butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-7a- methyl-l-[(R)-l-methyl-propynyl]-octahydro-indene. MS: (M)+ 206 IR: cm-l3356; 3306; 2932; 2879; 2120; 1453; 1376; 1268; 1168; 1066; 990; 946; 643; 621. Typically, the compound of formula IX, (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-(tert- Butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-7a-methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-proρynyl]- octahydro-indene (900 mg; 2,81 mmol) was dissolved in THF (35 ml). Hydrofluoric acid (40% aqueous solution; 18 ml) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for three hours. The reaction mixture was then poured on chilled brine, extracted twice with ethyl acetate, washed twice with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent was removed. After flash- chromatography (eluent: hexanes/ethyl-acetate 82/18) the compound [1R, 3aR, 4S, 7aR]-7a-Methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-prop-2-nyl]-octahydro- inden-4-ol (497 mg; yield: 86%) was obtained as a yellow oil. J) The following compounds of formula IX were obtained from compounds of formula X: Example 1J (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-(tert-Butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-7a-methyl-l- [(S)-l-methyl-propynyl]-octahydro-indene from (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-(tret- Butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-l-[(S)-3,3-dibromo-l-methyl-allyl]-7a-methyl- octahydro-indene. MS: (M-tBu)+ 263 IR: cm- 331 2; 2932; 2858; 2120; 1252; 1165; 1083; 1029; 836; 774. Example 2J (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-(tert-Butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-7a-methyl-l- [(R)-l-methyl-propynyl] -octahydro-indene from (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4- (tret-Butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-l-[(R)-3,3-dibromo-l-methyl-allyl]-7a- methyl-octahydro-indene. MS: (M)+ 320 IR: cm-l3313; 2954; 2931; 2859; 2120; 1469; 1375; 1253; 1166; 1079; 1020; 973; 953; 924; 836; 774; 687; 629. Typically, the compound of formula X, (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-(tret- Butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-l-[(S)-3,3-dibromo-l-methyl-allyl]-7a-methyl- octahydro-indene (8,94 g; 18,6 mmol) is dissolved in dry THF (80 ml) and cooled to -78°C Butyllithium (28,6 ml of a 1,6M solution in hexane; 42,8 mmol) is added dropwise. The reaction mixture is allowed to reach room temperature and is then poured on chilled aqueous citric acid. The mixture is extracted twice with ethyl-acetate(150 ml); the organic phase is washed twice with brine (50 ml), dried over sodium sulfate After evaporation of the solvents and flash-chromatography over silica gel (hexanes/ethyl acetate 99:1) the compound (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-(tert- Butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-7a-methyl-l-[(S)-l-methyl-propynyl]- octahydro-indene (5,85 g; Yield 98%) was obtained as a yellow oil. K) The following compounds of formula X were obtained from aldehydes of formula XI: Example IK (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-(tert-Butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-l-[(S)-3,3- dibromo-l-methyl-allyl]-7a-methyl-octahydro-indene from (S)-2-[(lR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-(tert-Butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)- 7a-methyl-octahydro- inden-l-yl]-propan-l-al. MS: (M-tBu)+ 423 IR: cm-1 2 932; 2857; 1626; 1467; 1375; 1252; 1165; 1080; 1029; 952; 922; 835; 776. Example 2K (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-(tert-Butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-l-[(R)-3,3- dibromo-l-methyl-allyl]-7a-methyl-octahydro-indene from (R)-2-[(lR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-(tert-Butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)- 7a-methyl-octahydro- inden-l-yl]-propan-l-al. MS: (M-Me)+ 463 IR: cm-12930; 2858; 1627; 1465; 1375; 1252; 1167; 1082; 1021; 960; 920; 873; 836; 775; 686. Typically, tetrabromomethane (16,8 g; 50,6 mmol) is dissolved in dichloromethane (80 ml). Triphenylphosphine (26,5 g; 101,1 mmol) in solution in dichloromethane (40 ml) is added dropwise. The reaction mixture is cooled to -20°C and the compound (S)-2-[(lR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4- (tert-Butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)- 7a-methyl-octahydro-inden-l-yl]- propan-1-al (J. Org Chem: 1992, 57, 3173 ) in solution in dichloromethane (30 ml) is added dropwise. The reaction mixture is allowed to reach room temperature and is then poured on ice. The mixture is extracted twice with ethyl-acetate (250 ml); the organic phase is washed twice with brine (100 ml), dried over sodium sulfate. After evaporation of the solvents and flash-chromatography over silica gel (hexanes/ethyl acetate 98:2) the compound (IR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-(tert- Butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-l-[(S)-3,3-dibromo-l-methyl-allyl]-7a-methyl- octahydro-indene (8,94 g; Yield 81%) was obtained as a colorless oil. L) The starting aldehyde utilized in Example 2K above is obtained as follows: The alcohol, (R)-2-[(lR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-(tert-Butyl-dimethyl- silanyloxy)-7a-methyl-octahydro-inden-l-yl]-propan-l-ol (10,00g; 30.6 mmol) is diluted in dichloromethane (120 ml) and powdered molecular sieve 4A (6,35g) and N-methyl morpholine oxide (6.21g; 45.9 mmol) are added and the mixture is stirred for 30 minutes. The mixture is cooled to -10°C and tetrapropyl ammonium perruthenate (538mg; 1.53 mmol) is added. The reaction mixture is allowed to reach room temperature and stirred for an additional hour. The mixture is purified by chromatography over silicagel using n- hexanes/ ethylacetate 98/2 as eluent. One obtains 7.64g (yield 76.4%) of the intermediate aldehyde: (R)-2-[(lR,3aR,4S,7aR)-4-(tert-butyl-dimethyl- silanyloxy)-7a-methyl-octahydro-inden-l-yl]-propan-al. M) The starting (R)-alcohol utilized in Example L is obtained as follows: The aldehyde (S)-2-[(lR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-(tert-Butyl-dimethyl- silanyloxy)- 7a-methyl-octahydro-inden-l-yl]-propan-l-al (7.63g; 23.5 mmol) is diluted in absolute THF (120 ml) and 1,5- diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-ene (DBN) (2.81 ml; 23.5 mmol) is added. The mixture is heated to reflux for 6 hours. The reaction mixture is poured on a chilled citric acid solution and extracted with ethylacetate. The organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate and the solvents were removed. The IH NMR of the crude reaction product indicates an approximate 1/1 mixture of the diastereomeric isomers. The crude mixture is diluted in isopropanoi (100 ml) and at 0°C NaBH4 (978 mg; 25.9 mmol) is added. The mixture is stirred half an hour at 0°C and at RT over night. The reaction mixture is then poured in chilled brine and extracted twice with ethyl-acetate. The organic layer is washed with brine and dried over sodium sulfate. The solvents were removed and the crude product is purified by two consecutive flash-chromatographies (n-hexanes/ethyl- acetate: 95/5). The 20-epi alcohol (R)-2-[(lR, 3aR, 4S, 7aR)-4-(tert-Butyl- dimethyl-silanyloxy)-7a-methyl-octahydro-inden-l-yl]-propan-l-ol is obtained in 41% yield (3.135g). MS: (M-Me)+311 IR: cm "1 3352; 2931; 2858; 1469; 1374; 1252; 1166; 1081; 1025; 919; 835; 774. The following compounds of formula I were obtained from the hydroxyketone of formula IVa, (4aR,5R,8aR)-5-((S)-3-[2-(l-hydroxy-l- methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-l-methyl-prop-2-ynyl)-4a-methyl-octahydro- naphthalen-1-one by protection of the alcohol as trimethylsilyl ether of formula IV, Wittig reaction with a phosphinoxide of formula III, followed by cleavage of the silyl groups by treatment with excess fluoride, according to the experimental procedure given below: Example 27 (7E)-(lR,3R)-23-[2-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-D-homo-19,24-dinor- 9, 10-seco-chola-5 ,7-dien-22-yne- 1 ,3-diol MS: (M)+ 476 NMR: (IH, δ, TMS) 0.87 (s, 3H), 1.32 (d, 3H), 1.69 (s, 6H), 1.15-1.85 (m, 14H), 1.9 (m, 3H), 2.2 ( , 2H), 2.49 (dd, IH), 2.75 (dd, IH), 2.9 (m, IH), 3.13 (q, IH), 3.94 (s, OH), 4.1 (m, IH), 4.2 (m, IH), 5.85 (d, IH), 6.31 (d, IH), 7.1-7.25 (m, 2H), 7.41 (dxt, 2H). Example 28 (5Z,7E)-(lS,3R)-23-[2-(l-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-D-homo-24-nor- 9,10-seco-chola-5,7,10(19)-trien-22-yne-l,3-diol MS: (M)+ 488 NMR: (IH, δ, TMS) 0.86 (s, 3H), 1.34 (d, 3H), 1.69 (s, 6H), 1.15-2.0 (m, 17H), 2.31 (dd, IH), 2.61 (dd, IH), 2.75 (dd, IH), 2.9 (M, IH), 3.13 (q, IH), 3.94 (s, OH), 4.24 (m, IH), 4.43 (m, IH), 4.99 (s, IH), 5.33 (s, IH), 6.02 (d, IH), 6.36 (d, IH), 7.1-7.25 (m, 2H), 7.41 (dxt, 2H). Example 29 (5Z,7E)-(3S)-23-[2-(l-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-D-homo-24-nor- 9,10-seco-chola-5,7,10(19)-trien-22-yne-3-ol MS: (M)+ 472 NMR: (IH, δ, TMS) 0.86 (s, 3H), 1.32 (d, 3H), 1.69 (s,6H), 1.15-2.7 (m, 20H), 2.9 (m, IH), 3.11 (q, IH), 3.94 (s, OH and IH), 4.81 (s, IH), 5.06 (s, IH), 6.04 (d, IH), 6.22 (d, IH), 7.1-7.25 (m, 2H), 7.40 (dxt, 2H). Typically, the compound of Example 28 was prepared as follows: a) The hydroxyketone of formula rVa, (4aR,5R,8aR)-5-((S)-3-[2-(l- hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-l-methyl-prop-2-ynyl)-4a-methyl- octahydro-naphthalen-1-one (419 mg, 1.19 mmol) was dissolved in CH 2 C1 2 (10 ml) and treated with trimethylsilyl-imidazole (0.889 ml, 6.07 mmol). The mixture was kept at 35-40°C for 5 h, poured onto crashed ice, extracted twice with ether, washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. Flash chromatography (Si0 2 ), hexane/AcOEt=9/l) yielded 504 mg of (4aR,5R,8aR)-4a-methyl-5-((S)-l- methyl-3-[2-(l-methyl-l-trimethyl-silanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-prop-2-ynyl)- octahydro-naphthalen- 1-one . b) The phosphinoxide, (3S,5R)-(Z)-[2-[3,5-bis-(tert.butyl-dimethyl- silanyloxy)-2-methylenecyclohexylidene] ethyl] -diphenyl phosphine oxide (563 mg, 0.965 mmol) was dissolved in dry THF (5 ml) and treated at -78° C with 0.722 ml 1.55 M nBuLi (hexane). 10 minutes later, the above prepared ketone (205 mg, 0.482 mmol), dissolved in a tiny amount of THF, was added to the deep red solution. The reaction temperature was kept at -78° C for 0.75 h and then slowly allowed to reach 0°C. After 2.5 h the reaction mixture was poured onto crashed ice/ NH C1, extracted twice with ether, washed with water and brine, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. Flash chromatography (Si0 2 , hexane/ AcOEt=9/l) yielded in the less polar fractions 129 mg of ((5Z, 7E)-(lS,3R)-l,3-bis-(tert-butyldimethyl-silanyloxy)-23-[2-(l -methyl-l- trimethylsilanyloxy-ethyl)-phenyl]-D-homo-24-nor-9,10-seco-chola- 5,7,10(19)-trien-22-yne as colorless oil and in the more polar ones 111 mg of starting ketone. c) 619 mg (1.96 mmol) of TBAF trihydrate in 4 ml of THF was dried by stirring at ambient temperature over 0.6 g of 3A molecular sieve for 2h. The resultant solution was then added to the above prepared 129 mg of protected Vitamin D-derivative and the mixture kept for 1.5 h at 50° C. The reaction mixture was then poured onto crashed ice/ NH C1, extracted twice with ether, washed with water and brine, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. Flash chromatography (SiO , hexane/ AcOEt=l/2) afforded 80 mg of ((5Z, 7E)-(1S, 3R)-23-[2-(l-hydroxy- l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-D-homo-24-nor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,10(19)-trien- 22-yne-l,3-diol) as colorless gum. N) The starting hydroxyketone of formula IVa, utilized in paragraph a) above, (4aR,5R,8aR)-5-((S)-3-[2-(l-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-l- methyl-prop-2-ynyl)-4a-methyl-octahydro-naphthalen-l-one was prepared from corresponding alcohol-ether of formula XII, (S)-2- [(lR,4aR,5S,8aR)-5-(tert-Butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-8a-methyl- decahydro-naphthalen-l-yl]-propan-l-ol (Example 15 in European Pat.Appl.No. 95117037.2) (RAN 4212/067-00) as follows: a) Swern reagent was prepared at -60° C by adding slowly DMSO (0.899 ml, 11.5 mmol, dissolved in 2 ml of CH 2 C1 2 ) to oxalylchloride (0.503 ml, 5.85 mmol) in 10 ml of CH 2 C1 2 . 15 Minutes later, (S)-2- [(lR,4aR,5S,8aR)-5-(tert-Butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-8a-methyl- decahydro-naphthalen-l-yl]-propan-l-ol (1.81 g, 5.31 mmol), dissolved in 7 ml of CH 2 C1 2 , was slowly added. After l/2h, NEt 3 (5.18 ml, 37.2 mmol) was added and the temperature allowed to reach -25° C. The reaction was quenched by pouring onto crashed ice/ NH C1, extracted twice with ether, washed with water and brine, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. Flash chromatography (Si0 2 , hexane/ AcOEt=97/3) yielded 1.583 g of (S)-2-[(lR,4aR,5S,8aR)-5-(tert-Butyl- dimethyl-silanyloxy)-8a-methyl-decahydro-naphthalen-l-yl]- propionaldehyde as isomerically pure, colorless oil. b) CBr 4 (3.10 g, 9.35 mmol) was dissolved in 21 ml of CH 2 C1 2 and treated at -15° C with Ph 3 P (4.70 g, 18.7 mmol). 10 Minutes later, the above prepared aldehyde (1.583 g, 4.675 mmol), dissolved in 5 ml of CH 2 C1 2 , was slowly added and allowed to react with the ylide for l/2h. The crude reaction mixture was distributed twice between hexane and EtOH/water=8/2, the upper layer dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent evaporated. Flash chromatography (Si0 2 , hexane) afforded 2.18 g of tert-Butyl-[(lS,4aR,5R,8aR)-5-((S)-3,3-dibromo-l-methyl-allyl)-4a- methyl-decahydro-naphthalen-l-yloxy]-dimethyl-silane as colorless oil. c) The above synthesized dibromide (2.18 g, 4.41 mmol) was dissolved in dry THF (26 ml) and treated at -78° C with nBuLi (9.55 ml [1.5M (hexane)], 14.3 mmol). 60 Minutes later the reaction mixture was poured onto crashed ice/ NH C1, extracted twice with ether, washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. Flash chromatography (Si0 2 , hexane) yielded 1.37 g of the desired tert-Butyl- dimethyl-[(lS,4aR,5R,8aR)-4a-methyl-5-((S)-l-methyl-prop-2-ynyl)- decahydro-naphthalen-l-yloxy]-silane as pure, colorless oil. d) The above prepared acetylene (1.37 g, 4.09 mmol), dissolved in 20 ml of piperidine, was mixed under scrupulous exclusion of air with ethyl 2- iodobenzoate (1.69 g, 6.14 mmol), Cul (78 mg, 0.408 mmol), and (Ph 3 P) 4 Pd (472 mg, 0.408 mmol) and allowed to react at 50° C for 2 h. The mixture was poured onto crashed ice/ HCI, extracted twice with ether, washed with water and brine, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. Flash chromatography (Si0 2 , hexane/ AcOEt=98/2) gave 1.841 g of 2-((S)-3-[(lS,4aR,5R,8aR) 5Jtert-Butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-8a- methyl-decahydro-naphthalen-l-yl]-but-l-ynyl)-benzoic acid ethyl ester, containing some starting iodo-ester as impurity, which was removed after the next step. e) Grignard reagent was prepared according to standard procedures starting from Mel (2.27 g, 16 mmol) and Mg turnings (0.365 g, 15 mmol) in 50 ml of dry ether. After cooling to -78° C 1.437 g (<3 mmol, not corrected) of the above prepared ester, dissolved in 10 ml of dry THF, was added drop by drop and the mixture stirred at room temperature for 2 h. Under cooling and Argon flush, the excess of reagent was carefully destroyed with NH 4 Cl-solution, the layers were separated, the aqueous phase extracted with ether, the combined organic layers washed with NH 4 Cl-solution, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. Flash chromatography (Si0 2 , hexane/ AcOEt=93/7) yielded 862 mg of 2- ((S)-(3-[(lS,4aR,5R,8aR)-5Jtert-Butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-8a-methyl- decahydro-naphthalen-l-yl]-but-l-ynyl)-phenyl)-propan-2-ol as colorless oil. f) 2.90 g (9.19 mmol) of TBAF trihydrate in 18 ml of THF was dried by stirring at ambient temperature over 2.5 g of 3A molecular sieve for 1.5h. The resultant solution was then added to the above prepared 862 mg silyl-ether. After stirring during 44h h at 75° C, the reaction mixture was poured onto crashed ice. Usual workup followed by flash chromatography (Si0 2 , hexane/ AcOEt=8/2) yielded in the less polar fractions 174 mg of starting material and in the more polar ones 424 mg of (lS,4aR,5R,8aR)-5-((S)-3-[2-(l-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-l- methyl-prop-2-ynyl)-4a-methyl- decahydro-naphthalen-1-ol as yellowish crystals of mp. 126-128° C. g) 423 mg of the above synthesized alcohol was dissolved in 10 ml of CH 2 C1 2 and treated with pyridinium dichromate (1.86 g, 4.95 mmol). After stirring for 3h at ambient temperature the reaction mixture was filtered and then washed thoroughly with ether. The combined organic washings were evaporated to dryness and purified by flash chromatography (Si0 2 , hexane/ AcOEt=8/2) to give 420 mg of (4aR,5R,8aR)-5-((S)-3-[2-(l-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-l-methyl- prop-2-ynyl)-4a-methyl-octahydro-naphthalen-l-one as colorless oil. MS: (M) + 352 NMR: (IH, δ, TMS) 0.95 (s, 3H), 1.35 (d,3H), 1.69 (s, 6H), 1.2-2.2 (m, 12H), 2.35 (m, 2H), 3.13 (q, IH), 3.80 (s, OH), 7.14-7.3 (m, 2H), 7.37-7.47 (m, 2H). Example 30 The compound of formula I, (7E)-(lR,3R)-23-[2-(l-Hydroxy-l- methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-D-homo-19,24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,17-trien- 22-yne-l,3-diol MS: (M) + 474 NMR: (IH, δ, TMS) 0.95 (s, 3H), 1.42 (d,3H), 1.69 (s, 6H), 1.25-2.3 (m), 2.48 (m, IH), 2.7-2.9 (m, 2H), 3.42 (q, IH), 3.84 (s, OH), 4.0-4.2 (m, 2H), 5.81 (m, IH), 5.91 (d, IH), 6.31 (d, IH), 7.1-7.3 (m, 2H), 7.43 (m, 2H) was prepared following the experimental procedures given in Example 27, 28 and 29, but starting from alcohol-ether of formula XII, (S)-2- [(4aR,5S,8aS)-5-(tert-Butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-8a-methyl- 3,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro-naphthalen-l-yl]-propan-l-ol (Example 14 in European Pat. Appl. No. 95117037.2, RAN 4212/067-00). The following compounds of formula I were obtained from hydroxyketone of formula IVa, (4aR,5R,8aR)-5-((R)-3-[2-(l-hydroxy-l- methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-l-methyl-prop-2-ynyl)-4a-methyl-octahydro- naphthalen-1-one, by protection of the alcohol as trimethylsilyl-ether of formula IV, Wittig reaction with a phosphinoxide of formula III, followed by cleavage of the silyl groups by treatment with excess fluoride, according to the experimental procedure described above for the product of Example 28: Example 31 (7E)-(lR,3R,20R)-23-[2-(l-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-D-homo- 19, 24-dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien-22-yne-l,3-diol MS: (M+NH 4 ) + 494, (M+Na) + 499 NMR: (IH, δ, TMS) 0.74 (s, 3H), 1.20 (d, 3H), 1.71 (s, 6H), 1.2-2.0 (m, 17H), 2.24 (m, 2H), 2.50 (dd, IH), 2.75 (dd, IH), 2.88 (m, IH), 3.10 (dq, IH), 3.90 (s, OH), 4.0-4.2 (m, 2H), 5.87 (d, IH), 6.31 (d, IH), 7.15-7.25 (m, 2H), 7.44 (m, 2H). Example 32 (5Z, 7E)-(lS,3R,21R)-23-[2-d-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-D- homo-24-nor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,10(19)-trien-22-yne-l,3-diol MS: (M) + 488 NMR: (IH, δ, TMS) 0.74 (s, 3H), 1.20 (d,3H), 1.71 (s, 6H), 1.25-2.05 (m, 17H), 2.32 (dd, IH), 2.61 (dd, IH), 2.89 (m, IH), 3.10 (qd, IH), 3.90 (s, OH), 4.24 (m, IH), 4.45 (m, IH), 5.00 (s, IH), 5.34 (s, IH), 6.02 (d, IH), 6.39 (d, IH), 7.1-7.3 (m, 2H), 7.44 (m, 2H). Example 33 (5Z, 7E)-(3S,21R)-23-[2-(l-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-D-homo- 24-nor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,10(19)-trien-22-yne-3-ol MS: (M) + 472 NMR: (IH, δ, TMS) 0.74 (s, 3H), 1.20 (d,3H), 1.71 (s, 6H), 1.25-2.5 (m, 19H), 2.57 (dd, IH), 2.88 (m, IH), 3.10 (dq, IH), 3.91 (s, OH), 3.94 (m, IH), 4.82 (s(br), IH), 5.07 (s(br), IH), 6.03 (d, IH), 6.22 (d, IH), 7.1-7.3 (m, 2H), 7.44 (m, 2H). The starting hydroxyketone of formula IVa (4aR,5R,8aR)-5-((R)-3- [2-(l-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-l-methyl-prop-2-ynyl)-4a-methyl- octahydro-naphthalen-1-one utilized for Example 31, 32 and 33 was prepared from (R)-2-[(lR,4aR,5S,8aR)-5-(tert-Butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)- 8a-methyl-decahydro-naphthalen-l-yl]-propan-l-ol following similar lines as described in example N) above. O) The alcohol-ethers of formula XII utilized as starting materials in the above paragraph N), and in Examples 27-33 can be obtained as follows: a) A solution of 30.1 g ( 0.13 mole) (4aS,5S)-5-tert-butoxy-4a-methyl- 4,4a,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-2(3H)-naphtalenone in 600 ml tetrahydrofurane was cooled under stirring and Argon atmosphere to -78° C . After dropwise addition of 140 ml (0.14 mole) of L-selectride ( 1 molar in tetrahydrofurane), the reaction mixture was kept at -78° C for an additional hour, then warmed to room temperature and kept at this temperature for 4.5 hours. After cooling to -15° C°, 12 ml of H2O, 90 ml of 4N NaOH and 100 ml of H2O2 (30%) were added sequentially and dropwise by keeping the temperature between -10°Cto -15°C. After completed addition the reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature, poured onto water and extracted three times with ethylacetate. The combined organic layers were dried with sodium sulfate and evaporated after filtration to yield 30 g of crude (2S,4aS,5S)-5- tert-butoxy-4a-methyl-2,3,4,4a,5,6,7,8-octahydro-naphtalen-2-ol as an amorphous product shown by thin layer chromatography and NMR to be sufficiently pure for further transformations. b) To a solution of 13 g (54.54 mMol) (2S,4aS,5S)-5-tert-butoxy-4a- methyl-4,4a,5,6,7,8-octahydro-naphtalen-2-ol in 150 ml tetrahydrofurane were added 20 g (112 mMol) of 1,1'- thiocarbonyldiimidazole. The reaction mixture was refluxed for two hours, cooled to room temperature and evaporated in vacuo. The residue was chromatographed over silicagel with hexane/ethylacetate 4/1 and gave 14.8 g of Imidazole-1-carbothioic acid(2S, 4aS, 5S)-0-(5-tert- butoxy-4a-methyl-2,3,4,4a,5,6,7,8-octahydro-naphtalen-2-yl)ester as an amorphous material. c) To a stirred solution of 9.95g ( 28.5 mMol) imidazole-1-carbothioic acid(2S, 4aS, 5S)-0-(5-tert-butoxy-4a-methyl-2,3,4,4a,5,6,7,8-octahydro- naphtalen-2-yl)ester in 285 ml toluene kept under argon atmosphere were added 75.7 ml (285 mMol) of tributyltinhydride and 75.7 ml of a one molar solution of triethylborane in tetrahydrofurane. The reaction mixture was heated to 120°C for 4 hours and additional 20 ml of tributyltinhydride as well as 20 ml of triethylborane solution (one molar in tetrahydrofurane) were added. The reaction mixture was kept at 120°C for 3 days, cooled to room temperature and evaporated in vacuo. The residue was chromatographed twice over 900 g silicagel with toluene/hexane 1/1 to yield 4.3 g of pure (4S,4aS)-4-tert-Butoxy-4a- methyl-l,2,3,4,4a,5,6,7-octahydro-naphtalene (liquid). d) A solution of 6.15 g ( 27.6 mMol) of (4aS, 4aS)-5-tert-butoxy-4a- methyl-l,2,3,4,4a,5,6,7-octahydro-naphtalene in 180 ml tetrahydrofurane was cooled under argon atmosphere and stirring to 0°C. 55,3 ml (55.3 mMol) of a one molar solution of borane in tetrahydrofurane was added, the reaction mixture kept for an additional hour at 0°C, warmed to room temperature and kept stirring overnight .After cooling to 0°C, 421 ml of water were added dropwise, folowed by addition of 25.3 g NaB0 3 .4H2θ. The suspension was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours, then the reaction mixture was extracted three times with diethylether. The combined organic phases were washed once with brine, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo to yield 12.07 g of crude product, which was chromatographed over 500 g silicagel with hexane/ethylacetate 4/1 to give 3.4 g of a 2:1 mixture of (lS,4aS,5S,8aS)-and (lR,4aS,5S,8aR)-5-tert-butoxy-4a-methyl- decahydro-naphtalen-1-ol as an oily material. e) To a solution of 3,4 g (14.1 mMol) of (IRS, 4aS, 5S, 8aRS)-5-tert- butoxy-4a-methyl-decahydro-naphtalen-l-ol in 34 ml methylenechloride was added under stirring 3.66 g (17.0 mMol) of pyridiniumchlorochromate and the reaction mixture was kept under stirring overnight. Then the reaction was diluted with 33 ml diethylether, kept stirring for 15 minutes and filtered over florisil. The filtrate was evaporated to dryness in vacuo and the residue dissolved in 33 ml of tetrahydrofurane. Under stirring and argon atmosphere 1.65 ml of a one molar solution of potassium-tertio-butoxyde in ■ tetrahydrofurane was added and the reaction was kept overnight. This equilibration is monitored by TLC ( silicagel, hexane/ethylacetate 4/1), which shows the almost complete disappearance of one of the two epimers. The reaction mixture is evaporated in vacuo to dryness , the residue is taken up in water and extracted three times with diethylether. The combined organic phase is washed with water and brine, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo. The residue is chromatographed over 120 g of silicagel with hexane/ethylacetate 9/1 to yield 2.39 g (71%) of pure (4aS,5S,8aR)-5-tert-butoxy-4a-methyl- octahydro-naphtalen-1-one. An analytical sample was obtained by cristallisation from hexane with a m.p. of 78-79°C. f) A solution of 2.12 g (8.9 mMol) of (4aS,5S,8aR)-5-tert-Butoxy-4a- methyl-octahydro-naphtalen-1-one in 44.5 ml tetrahydrofurane was cooled to -78°C and 9.8 ml (9.8 mMol) of a one molar solution of L- selectride in tetrahydrofurane was added dropwise under stirring and argon atmosphere. The reaction mixture was kept at this temperature for an additional hour, warmed to room temperature and kept overnight. The temperature was then lowered to -15°C and 0.17ml of H2O were added dropwise. This was followed by dropwise addition of 7.60 ml 3N NaOH and 6.36 ml of H2O2. The reaction temperature is kept between -10 to -15°C. The reaction mixture is then poured into water and extracted three times with ethylacetate. The combined organic extracts are washed with brine and evaporated in vacuo to dryness. The residue is chromatographed over 120 g of silicagel with hexane/ethylacetate 4/1 to yield 1.03g (48%) of pure (lS,4aS,5S,8aR)-5-tert-Butoxy-4a-methyl- decahydronaphtalen-1-ol as an amorphous product. g) A solution of 4.11 g (17.1 mMol) of (IS, 4aS, 5S, 8aR)-5-tert-butoxy- 4a-methyl-decahydro-naphtalen-l-ol and 313.6 mg (2.6 mMol) of 4- dimethyl-aminopyridine in 26 ml of pyridine is treated with 13 ml of acetic anhydride under stirring and argon atmosphere for two hours. The reaction mixture is poured on ice-water and extracted three times with diethylether. The combined organic layer is washed twice with water, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo to yield 1.26 g of crude product which is chromatographed over 60 g of silicagel with hexane/ethylacetate 9/1 to give 4.64 g (91%) of acetic acid(lS,4aS,5S,8aR)- 5-tert-butoxy-4a-methyl-decahydro-naphtalen-l-yl ester as an amorphous pure product. h) A solution of 4.08 g (14.45 mMol) of acetic acid (lS,4aS, 5S, 8aR)-5- tert-Butoxy-4a-methyl-decahydronaphtalen-l-yl ester in 7.25 ml of carbon tetrachloride is treated dropwise under stirring and argon atmosphere with 2.56 ml (18.8 mMol) of trimethylsilyljodide by keeping room temperature. After completed addition the reaction mixture is stirred for another 30 minutes, then 1.79 ml of methanol are added and the reaction kept for 15 minutes. The reaction mixture is evaporated in vacuo to dryness to yield 5.52 g. The residue is chromatographed over 500 g of silicagel with hexane/ethylacetate 4/1 to give 2.88 g (88%) of pure acetic acid (lS,4aS,5S,8aR)-5-hydroxy-4a-methyl-decahydronaphtalen-l- yl ester . i) 3.73 g (17.3 mMol) of pyridinium chlorochromate is added under stirring to a solution of 3.25 g (14.35 mMol) of acetic acid (IS, 4aS, 5S,8aR)-5-hydroxy-4a-methyl-decahydro-naphtalen-l-yl ester in 32.5 ml of dichloromethane . The reaction mixture is stirred overnight, diluted with 70 ml of diethylether, stirred for 15 minutes and filtered over florisil using diethylether for thorough elution. Evaporation in vacuo yields 3.34 g of a residue, which is chromatographed over 200 g of silicagel with hexane/ ethylacetate 4/1 to give 3.02 g (94%) of pure acetic acid (lS,4aS,8aR)-4a-methyl-5-oxo-decahydronaphtalen-l-yl ester as an oil. j) A solution of 2.99 g(13.3 mMol) of acetic acid (lS,4aS,8aR)-4a- methyl-5-oxo~decahydro-naphtalen-l-yl ester in 13.3 ml of ethanol is treated under stirring and argon atmosphere with sodium ethylate prepared from 0.67 g (29.4 gatom) of sodium and 29.4 ml of ethanol and the reaction mixture is kept overnight. The solvent is evaporated in vacuo to dryness, the residue is taken up in water and after cooling to 0°C, the pH is adjusted to 3-4 with IN HCI. After extracting three times with diethylether, the combined organic extract is washed with brine, dried with sodium sulfate and the solvent is evaporated in vacuo . The residue is triturated with hexane, the cristals are filtered off and dried: 1.07 g (95%) of pure (4aR,5S,8aS)-5-hydroxy-8a-methyl-octahydro- naphtalen-1-one, m.p.:109.5-lll°C. k) To a solution of 2.3 g(12.6 mMol) of (4aR, 5S, 8aS)-5-hydroxy-8a- methyl-octahydro-naphtalen-1-one in 63 ml of dimethylformamide are added under stirring and argon atmosphere 3.74 g(24.8 mMol) of tertio- butyl-dimethyl-silylchloride and 1.94 g(28.5 mMol) of imidazole. The reaction mixture is heated to 100°C for 4 hours, then additional 3.74 g of tert-butyl-dimethylsilylchloride and 1.94 g of imidazole are added and the reaction mixture is kept overnight at 100°C. The reaction mixture is poured onto ice-water and extracted three times with diethylether. The combined organic extract is washed once with water and brine, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo. The residue is chromatographed over 250 g of silicagel with hexane/ethylacetate 9/1 to yield 3.17 g (85%) of low melting cristalline (4aR,5S,8aS)-5-(tert-butyl- dimethyl-silanyloxy)-8a-methyl-octahydro-naphtalen-l-one . 1) A suspension of 11.8 g (31.7 mMol) of ethyltriphenylphosphonium- bromide in 64 ml of tetrahydrofurane is treated under stirring and argon atmosphere with 31.9 ml of a one molar solution of potassiumtertiobutylate and the resulting orange suspension treated with a solution of 3.17 g (10.7 mMol) of (4aR, 5S, 8aS)-5-(tert-butyl- dimethyl-silanyloxy)-8a-methyl-octahydro-naphtalen-l-one in 64 ml of tetrahydrofurane and kept at room temperature for 3 hours. An additional 11.8 g (31.7 mMol) of ethyltriphenylphosphoniumbromide and 31.9 ml of a one molar solution of potassiumtertiobutylate in tetrahydrofurane are added and the reaction mixture kept overnight. Isobutyraldehyde (5.4 ml) is added , the reaction is stirred for 10 minutes, diluted with diethylether and filtered over Florisil using diethylether as eluent. After evaporation in vacuo, the residue (4.79 g) is chromatographed over 120 g of silicagel with hexane to yield 3.15 g (95%) of pure (lS,4aS,8aR)-tert-butyl-(5-ethylidene-4a-methyl-decahydro- naphtalen-l-yloxy)-dimethyl-silane (E/Z 4/1) as an oil. m) To a stirred solution of 3.11 g (10.1 mMol) of (IS, 4aS, 8aR)-tert- Butyl-(5-ethylidene-4a-methyl-decahydro-naphtalen-l-yloxy)- dimethylsilane in 125 ml of toluene are added 0.33 gdl.l mMol) of finely powdered paraformaldehyde. The reaction mixture is cooled to 0°C and 12.56 ml of a one molar solution of dimethylaluminumchloride in hexane are added and kept for one hour at this temperature. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature overnight, diluted with diethylether, washed with IN HCI and with water, then dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo. The residue is chromatographed over a medium pressure 250 g silicagel column with hexane/ethylacetate 9/1 to yield 2.31 g (67.5%) of pure (S)-2-[(4aR,5S,8aS)- 5-(tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-8a-methyl-3,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro- naphtalen-l-yl]-propan-l-ol as an oil. By running the reaction with BF 3 # Et 0 in CH 2 C1 2 small amounts of the (R)-epimer, the starting material of Examples 31-33 can be isolated. n) To a solution of 2.27g(6.7mMol) of (S)-2-[(4aR,5S,8aS)-5-(tert-Butyl- dimethyl-silanyloxy)-8a-methyl-3,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro-naphtalen-l- yl]-propan-l-ol in 22.7 ml of ethylacetate were added 227 mg of Pd/C 10% and 227 mg of sodium bicarbonate. The reaction mixture was stirred under hydrogen atmosphere overnight, filtered over Speedex using ethylacetate for washing thoroughly and the solvent evaporated in vacuo. The residue was chromatographed over a 250 g Lobar column with hexane/ethylacetate 9/1 to yield 2.18 g (95.5%) of (S)-2- [(lR,4aR,5S,8aR)-5-(tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-8a-methyl- decahydro-naphtalen-l-yl]-propan-l-ol as an oily product. The pharmacological properties of the compounds of the formula I can be determined by the following test procedures: Calcium liability (tolerance test in mice): This test gives a global picture of calcemic liability. Profound changes in calcium homeostasis strongly affect the weight development of the animals. This parameter was used as a primary test for tolerance. Mice (25-30 g body weight) received daily subcutaneous administrations of the vitamin D derivative for 4 consecutive days. Body weight was registered just before and at the end of a 5 day treatment period. The "highest tolerated dose" (HTD) in mice is the dose which results in zero weight gain during this treatment period. For calcitriol an HTD of 0.5 μg/kg was observed. In comparison thereto, for the compounds of formula I specifically named as products in the above Examples, HTD figures ranging from 4, 5, 12 and 100 μg/kg for the four less tolerated compounds, up to 6800, 7000, 7500 and 8500 μg/kg for the four best tolerated compounds were observed. From the above results, it can be seen that the compounds of formula I are better tolerated than 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. Orally administered vitamin D analogues can lead to epidermal thickening (acanthosis) in hairless mice. This skin effect is considered as indicative for antipsoriatic potential of vitamin D analogues. Analogues were tested for 4 days at different dosages in order to detect compounds which show this epidermal effect at subtoxic and non-toxic doses (dosage leading to slight or no weight loss). Calcitriol itself could not be dosed for 4 days high enough to obtain this skin effect. Hairless mice (Moro hr/hr) received daily administrations of the test compound in arachis oil by gavage for 4 days, using 2-5 different dosages (3 fold increments; 2 animals per dosage group). The mice were sacrificed at day 5 and skin biopsies were taken, fixed in formalin and treated for histological evaluation. Daily measurements of body weight allows to judge toxicity (calcemic liability) and determine the non-toxic dose level defined as the dose which is tolerated without weight loss. The results in the table below show that the instant compounds, although less potent, are far superior to calcitriol due to a better ratio between the effective dose and the maximal tolerated dose (HTD) pointing to a greater therapeutic window between skin effect (ED50) and toxic calcemic effects. ED50: dose (μg/kg) causing half-maximal epidermal thickening HTD: highest tolerated oral dose (μg/kg) without weight loss TI shift: shift in "therapeutic index", is defined as ratio ED50/HTD for calcitriol divided by the ratio ED50 HTD for the test compound The compounds of formula I as described above can be administered orally, for the treatment of hyperproliferative skin diseases such as psoriasis, basal cell carcinomas, disorders of keratinization, and keratosis, or for the treatment of neoplastic diseases such as leukemia, or for the treatment of diseases which require modulation of the immune system, such as transplant rejection, graft vs. host disease, or for the treatment of osteoporosis and hyperparathyroidism, to warmblooded animals which need such treatment. More specifically, the compounds of formula I as described above can be administered orally to an adult human in dosages that are in the range of about 0.5 to 1000 μg per day for the treatment of the above diseases. The compounds of formula I as described above can be administered topically, for the treatment of hyperproliferative skin diseases such as psoriasis, to warmblooded animals which need such treatment. More specifically, the compounds of formula I as described above can be administered topically in dosages that are in the range of about 0.5 to 1000 μg per gram of topical formulation per day, for the treatment of the above diseases. The dosage of the compounds of formula I can vary within wide limits depending on the illness to be treated, the age and the individual condition of the patient and on the mode of administration and will, of course, be fitted to the individual requirements in each particular case. Oral dosage forms comprising compounds of formula I of the invention may be incorporated in capsules, tablets and the like with pharmaceutically acceptable carrier materials. Illustrative of such carrier materials which may be incorporated into 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, algenic 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. Various other materials may be present as coating or to otherwise modify the physical form of the dosage unit. For instance, tablets may be coated with shellac, sugar, or both. 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. Topical dosage forms comprising compounds of formula I of the invention include: ointments and creams encompassing formulations having oleaginous, absorbable, water-soluble and emulsion-type bases such as petrolatum, lanolin, polyethylene glycols and the like. Lotions are liquid preparations and vary from simple solutions to aqueous or hydroalcoholic preparations containing finely divided substances. Lotions can contain suspending or dispersing agents, for example, cellulose derivatives such as ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, and the like; gelatin or gums, which incorporate the active ingredient in a vehicle made up of water, alcohol, glycerin and the like. Gels are semi- solid preparations made by gelling a solution or suspension of the active ingredient in a carrier vehicle. The vehicles, which can be hydrous or anhydrous, are gelled using a gelling agent, such as, carboxy polymethylene, and neutralized to a proper gel consistency with the use of alkalies, such as, sodium hydroxide and amines, such as, polyethylenecocoamine. As used herein, the term "topical" denotes the use of the active ingredient, incorporated in a suitable pharmaceutical carrier, and applied at the site of the disorder for the exertion of local action. Accordingly, the topical composition include those pharmaceutical forms in which the compound is applied externally by direct contact with the skin. The topical dosage forms comprise gels, creams, lotions, ointments, powders, aerosols and other conventional forms for applying medication to the skin obtained by admixing the compounds of formula I with known pharmaceutical topical carrier materials. The following pharmaceutical compositions can be prepared in a manner known per se: Example A Soft Gelatine Capsule mg/Capsule Compound I 0.0001-1 Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) 0.016 Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) 0.016 Fractionated Coconut Oil (Neobee M-5) or Miglyol 812 q.s. 160.0 Example B Soft Gelatine Capsule mg/Capsule Compound I 0.0001-1 α-Tocopherol 0.016 Miglyol 812 q.s. 160.0 Example C Topical Cream mg/g Compound I 0.005-1 Cetyl Alcohol 1.5 Stearyl Alcohol 2.5 Span 60 (Sorbitan monostearate) 2.0 Arlacel 165 (Glyceryl monostearate 4.0 and polyoxyethylene glycol stearate blend) Tween 60 (polysorbate 60) 1.0 Mineral Oil 4.0 Propylene Glycol 5.0 Propylparaben 0.05 BHA 0.05 Sorbitol Solution 2.0 Edetate Disodium 0.01 Methylparaben 0.18 Distilled Water q.s. Example D Topical ointment mg/g Compound I 0,005-1 Propylenglycol exc. ad ung. pro 1 g

Claims: Claims 1. 24-Nor-secochola-5,7-diene derivatives of formula (I) wherein A is a single or double bond, B is a group CH 2 CH 2 , CH=CH or C≡C, T is a group CH 2 or CH 2 CH 2 , R 1 and R 3 are H or OH, C(R,R) is CH 2 or C=CH 2 , R 2 is CH 3 and R 4 is H, or R 2 is H and R 4 is CH 3 , L is phenyl and R 5 is OH or C(Cι -4 -alkyl) 2 OH, or L-R 5 is 2-furyl which is 5-substituted by C(Cι- -alkyl) 2 OH, with the proviso that when L is phenyl, A is a single bond, B is C≡C, T is CH 2 , each R l and R 3 are OH, C(R,R) is C=CH 2 , R 2 is CH 3 , R 4 is H, and R 5 is C(CH 3 ) OH, then R 5 must be in position ortho or para. 2. Compounds as in claim 1, wherein R 1 is H or OH and R 3 is OH. 3. Compounds as in claim 1 or 2, wherein L is phenyl, B is CH CH or C≡C, R 1 and R 3 are OH and R 5 is C(CH 3 ) 2 OH. 4. Compounds as in claim 3, wherein A is a single bond, B is C≡C and T is CH 2 . 5. The compound as in claim 4, namely: (7E)-(lR, 3R,20R)-23-[2-d-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl)- 19,24- dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien-22-yne-l,3-diol. 6. Compounds as in claim 3, namely: (7E)-(1R, 3R)-23-[2-(l-Hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor- 9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien-l,3-diol, (7E)-(1R, 3R)-23-[2-(l-hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor- 9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien-22-yne-l,3-diol, (7E)-(1R, 3R)-23-[3-(l-hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-19,24-dinor- 9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien-l,3-diol, (5Z,7E)-(lS, 3R,20R)-23-[3-d-hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl)- 24- nor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,10(19)-trien-22-yne-l,3-diol, (5Z,7E)-(1S, 3R,20R)-23-[2-(l-hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl)-24- nor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,10(19)-trien-22-yne-l,3-diol, (7E)-(lR, 3R,20S)-23-[3-(l-hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl)- 19,24- dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien-l,3-diol, (7E)-(lR,3R)-23-[2-(l-hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-D-homo-19,24- dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,17-trien-22-yne-l,3-diol, (5Z, 7E)-(lS,3R,21R)-23-[2-(l-hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-D- homo-24-nor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7,10(19)-trien-22-yne-l,3-diol. 7. Compounds as in claim 1 or 2, wherein L is 2-furyl, A is a single bond, B is C≡C, T is CH 2 , R 2 is CH 3 and R 4 is H. 8. The compounds as in claim 7, namely: (7E)-(1R, 3R)-23-[5-(l-hydroxy-l-methyl-ethyl)-furan-2-yl]-19,24- dinor-9,10-seco-chola-5,7-dien-22-yne-l,3-diol. 9. The compounds of formulae II, IV, IVa and V: wherein A, B, T, R, R 2 , R 4 and L are as in claim 1, R 10 and R 30 are H or OSi(CH 3 ) 2 -tert-butyl and R 50 is OSi(CH 3 ) 3 , OSi(CH 3 ) 2 -tert-butyl or C(Ci- 4 -alkyl) 2 OSi(CH 3 ) 3 . 10. Pharmaceutical composition for the treatment or prevention of vitamin D dependent disorders, particularly psoriasis, basal cell carcinomas, disorders of keratinization and keratosis, leukemia, osteoporosis, hyperparathyroidism accompanying renal failure, transplant rejection and graft vs. host disease. 11. Process for preparing the compounds of formula I as in claim 1 which comprises cleaving the silyl-protection group(s) contained in a compound of formula wherein A, B, T, R, R 2 , R 4 and L are as in claim 1, R 10 and R 30 are H or OSi(CH 3 ) 2 -tert-butyl and R 50 is OSi(CH 3 ) 3 , OSi(CH 3 ) 2 -tert-butyl or C(Cι -4 -alkyl) 2 OSi(CH 3 ) 3 . 12. The compounds of any of claim 1 to 8 for use in the treatment or prevention of vitamin D dependent disorders, particularly psoriasis, basal cell carcinomas, disorders of keratinization and keratosis, leukemia, osteoporosis, hyperparathyroidism accompanying renal failure, transplant rejection and graft vs. host disease. 13. The use of the compounds of any of claim 1 to 8 for the manufacture of pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment or prevention of vitamin D dependent disorders, particularly psoriasis, basal cell carcinomas, disorders of keratinization and keratosis, leukemia, osteoporosis, hyperparathyroidism accompanying renal failure, transplant rejection and graft vs. host disease. 14. Novel compounds, intermediates, formulations and uses substantially as described therein.

Inventors: BARBIER PIERRE, BAUER FRANZ, MOHR PETER, MULLER MARC, PIRSON WOLFGANG, BARBIER, PIERRE, BAUER, FRANZ, MOHR, PETER, MULLER, MARC, PIRSON, WOLFGANG
Applicants: HOFFMANN LA ROCHE, F. HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE AG
Application year: 1998
Main classification: C07C401
IPC codes: A61K31, A61P3, A61P17, A61P19, A61P37, C07C35, C07C49, C07C69, C07C401, C07F7