PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF 3-OXO-PREGN-4-ENE-21,17-CARBOLACTONES BY THE METAL-FREE OXIDATION OF 17-(3-HYDROXYPROPYL)-3,17-DIHYDROXYANDROSTANES

摘要

This invention relates to processes for the production of 3-oxo-pregnane-21,17-carbolactones of formula (II) as well as 3-oxo-pregn-4-ene-21,17-carbolactones of formula (III) by the metal-free oxidation of 17-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3,17-dihydroxyandrostanes of formula (I). In addition, the invention relates to the dichloromethane hemisolvate of 6ß ,7ß; 15ß,16ß-dimethylene-3-oxo-17a-pregnan-5ß-ol-21,17-carbolactone (IV) as such as well as to a process for the production of drospirenone.