Patent GB-1140642-A (GB)
Title: 17--cyanoethynyl-steroids
Inventor: MEHRHOF WERNER
IPC: C07J41/00
Filed: 1967-09-07
Abstract: 1,140,642. 17α-Cyanoethynyl-steroids. E. MERCK A.G. 7 Sept., 1967 [26 Sept., 1966], No. 40879/67. Heading C2U. Novel steroids of the formula (wherein R<SP>1</SP> is α-H (#-R<SP>5</SP>), R<SP>5</SP> being planar if there is a 2(3) or 3(4) double bond, or a free keto group or a keto group functionally modified as a ketal, a Schiff's base or an enamine; R<SP>2</SP> and R<SP>3</SP> are each H or CH 3 , R<SP>2</SP> being non-existent when there is a double bond to the 10-position; R<SP>4</SP> is OR; R<SP>5</SP> is H or OH; and the steroid ring may contain one or more double bonds) and their ethers and esters and the salts of their acid esters are prepared from metal derivatives (including Grignard derivatives) of the corresponding 17α-ethynyl steroids and compounds YCN (wherein Y is CN, a group negative with respect to CN, or aryloxy) or from the corresponding 17-ketones and appropriate anions -C#C.Z (wherein Z is CN or a group convertible thereto) with, if necessary, subsequent conversion of Z to CN. In these processes an OH group present in the steroid nucleus may be in functionally modified form in which case it is subsequently liberated. Similarly, a functionally modified keto group may be converted to a free keto group, a free OH group may be esterified or etherified and a free CO 2 H group may be converted to a salt thereof. In examples (1) 17α - cyanoethynyl - 5 - androstene - 3#,17#- diol ditetrahydropyranyl ether is prepared from the 17α-ethynyl compound and is subsequently hydrolysed to the free diol which is then diacetylated; (2) 17α-cyanoethynyl-estradiol is prepared similarly; (3) the diol product of (1) is prepared from 5-androsten-3#-ol-17-one 3- tetrahydropyranyl ether and propiolic acid nitrile with subsequent hydrolysis; (4) 17α- (3,3 - diethoxy - 1 - propynyl) - estradiol 3 - THP ether (prepared from estrone 3-THP ether) is hydrolysed to 17α-formylethynyl-estradiol, this is converted to the corresponding oxime and this is boiled with acetic anhydride to give 17α- cyanoethynyl-estradiol, also obtained by reacting 17α - formyl - estradiol 3 - acetate (from the free 3-ol) with N,O-bis-(trifluoroacetyl)-hydroxylamine; (5) 17α-cyanoethynyl-estradiol 17-THP ether 3-methyl ether is prepared from the 17α-ethynyl compound, butyl lithium and cyanogen chloride and is subsequently hydrolysed to the 17#-ol, and this converted to the 17-acetate; similarly are prepared 17α-cyanoethynyl - 5α - 2 - androsten - 17# - ol; and 3- cyclopentyloxy - 17α - cyanoethynyl - 1,3,5(10)- estratrien - 17# - ol; (6) 3 - ethylenedioxy- 17α - ethynyl - 17# - hydroxy - 19 - nor - 5- androstene 17-THP ether (prepared from the free 17#-ol) is converted to the 17α-cyanoethynyl compound by the method of (5), and this is hydrolysed to 17α-cyanoethynyl-19-nor-testosterone which is subsequently acetylated; similarly are prepared 17α-cyanoethynyl testosterone and 17α-cyanoethynyl-19-nor-#<SP>5(10)</SP>-androsten-3-on-17#-ol and their acetates; (7) similarly are prepared 17α-cyanoethynyl-5- androsten - 3 - on - 17# - ol and its acetate; and (8) and (9) by similar methods are prepared the 17α-cyanoethynyl derivatives of 4-androsten - 3#,17# - diol; 19 - nor - 5(10) - androstene - 3#,17# - diol; 19 - nor - 4,6 - androstadiene - 3#,17# - diol; 19 - nor - 5(10),9(11)- androstadiene - 3#,17# - diol; 3 - methoxy - 19- nor - 2,5(10) - androstadien - 17# - ol; acetates of the foregoing; 19-nor-4,6-androstadien-3-on- 17# - ol; 19 - nor - 4,9(10) - androstadien - 3- on - 17# - ol; 19 - nor - 4,9(10),11 - androstatrien - 3 - on - 17# - ol; 19 - nor - 5(10),9(11)- androstadien - 3 - on - 17# - ol; and 19 - norandrostan-3-on-17#-ol. The 17α-cyanoethynyl steroids of the invention, which are stated to possess progestative, pregnancy-maintaining, anti-estrogenic, ovulation-inhibiting and anti-fertility activities, and, when ring A is aromatic, oestrogenic activity, may be made up into pharmaceutical compositions with suitable carriers.