Process for the preparation of delta 4-3-ketosteroids

摘要

DELTA <4>-3-Ketosteroids of the formula <IMAGE> in which R2 is hydrogen, a triphenylmethyl or acyl radical, R3 is methyl or ethyl and R4 is hydrogen or methyl, where the 6,7-methylene group can have the alpha or beta configuration, and salts of these compounds are prepared. The compounds are obtained by methylenation of corresponding DELTA <4,6>-3-ketosteroids with dimethylsulphoxonium methylide in dimethyl sulphoxide as solvent. The compounds can be used as diuretics.