Patent GB-1091660-A (GB)
Title: 16-methylene-19-nor-progesterone derivatives and their preparation
IPC: C07J5/00
Filed: 1966-10-31
Abstract: Novel steroids of the formula <FORM:1091660/C2/1> (where R is a free, esterified or etherified OH group) are prepared (1) by treating a corresponding D 5-3b -hydroxy-19-carboxylic acid or an ester or acylate thereof with a mild oxidizing agent and a decarboxylating agent successively in any sequence or simultaneously, with previous saponification, partial or complete, of any 19-ester or 3-acylate, (2) removing the CHO group from a corresponding 10-formyl D 5- or D 4-3b -ol or 3-one or a 3-acylate by treatment with an acid or alkali and, if necessary, a mild oxidizing agent; (3) by a method similar to (2) except that the starting material is a 10-CN compound, and the CN group is removed by treatment with an alkali metal and an alcohol or an alkali amide, followed by hydrolysis and, if necessary, treatment with a mild oxidizing agent, with temporary protection of the carbonyl groups by ketalization; (4) by treating 16b -methyl-16a , 17a -oxido-19-nor-progesterone with a strong acid or a Lewis acid; (5) by photochemically decarbonylating the starting materials of (2) in which the keto groups may be temporarily functionally modified, and, if necessary, hydrolysing and oxidizing in the 3-position; (6) by reducing and successively or simultaneously decarboxylating a lactone of a corresponding 6b -hydroxy-19-acid or a ring A saturated 5a -chloro or -bromo derivative thereof; and (7) by dehydrating a corresponding ring A saturated 6b -ol.  R groups may be interconverted by standard procedures.  3b ,17a  - Dihydroxy - 16 - methylene - 5 - pregnen-20-one-19-aci is prepared by the sequence 3b - acetoxy - 16b  - methyl - 16a ,17a  - oxido - 5-pregnen-20 -one (from the 3b -ol) -->3b -acetoxy-16 - methylene - 17a  - hydroxy - 5 - pregnen - 20-one --> 3b  - acetoxy - 5a  - bromo - 6b  - hydroxy-16b  - bromomethyl - 16a ,17a  - oxido - pregnen-20 - one --> 6 - nitrile ester --> 3b  - acetoxy-5a  - bromo - 6b  - hydroxy - 16b - bromomethyl-16a , 17a  - oxido - 19 - oximino - pregnen - 20 - one --> 16,19-hemiacetal of the corresponding 19-one --> corresponding lactone --> 3b -acetoxy-16 - methylene - 17a  - hydroxy - 5 - pregnen - 20-one-19-acid --> required 3b -ol.  3b ,17a  - Diacetoxy - 16 - methylene - 5 - pregnen - 20-one-19-acid methyl ester is prepared from the corresponding free 17a -ol 19-acid by successive esterification and acetylation via the methyl ester of the 17a -ol. A mixture of 5a -bromo-16-methylene-pregnane-6b ,17a  - diol - 3,20 - dione - 17 - acetate - 19-acid-6,19-lactone and the corresponding D 4-5-unsubstituted compound is prepared by the sequence 3b ,17a  - diacetoxy - 16 - methylene-5 - pregnen - 20 - one --> 5a  - bromo - 16-methylene - pregnene - 3b ,6b ,17a  - triol - 20 - one-3,17-diacetate --> 6-nitrile ester --> 19-oximino-6b -ol --> lactol 19-oxo compound + --> 6-nitrile ester --> 19-oximino-6b -ol -->lactol of 19-oxo compound + its acetate --> corresponding 6,19-lactone --> free 3b -ol --> required mixture.  The 16-methylene steroids of the invention, which are stated to possess progestational, pregnancy-maintaining, anti-estrogenic, ovulation inhibiting and anti-androgenic activity, may be made up into pharmaceutical compositions for parenteral, enteral or topical administration with suitable carriers.