9-ALPHA-HYDROXYSTEROIDS, PROCESS FOR THEIR PREPARATION, PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE CORRESPONDING 9(11)-DEHYDRO-DERIVATIVES AND PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS CONTAINING SAID STEROIDS

摘要

9.alpha.-Hydroxy steroids are prepared directly from 9.alpha.hydroxy steroids as starting compounds without any protection of the 9.alpha.-hydroxyl group. A suitable starting compound is 9.alpha.-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione which is readily available from fermentative degradation of sterols. Two preferred preparations are the production of a 9.alpha.-hyd-roxy,17-cyano,17-hydroxy steroid by reacting said starting compound with a cyanohydrin forming agent, for example potassium cyanide, and the other preferred reaction is the production of a 9.alpha.-hydroxy,17-ethynyl,17-hydroxy steroid by reacting said starting compound with a usual ethynylating agent, such as lithium acetylide ethylene diamine complex. The obtained 17-ethynyl compound can be converted to a pregnane compound, particularly a 17.beta.-acetyl or 17.beta.-halo-acetyl steroid with a 9.alpha.- as well as a 17.alpha.-hydroxyl group by hydrating the ethynyl group or the haloethynyl group respectively.