PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF 1', 3' - DIHYDROXY STEROID-5-ENES

摘要

1.alpha.,3.beta.-dihydroxy steroid-5-enes are prepared by the reduction of 1.alpha.-hydroxy- and 1.alpha.,2.alpha.-epoxy- steroid-4,6-diene-3-ones and corresponding 6-substituted steroid-4-en-3-ones where the 6-substituent is a reductively eliminatable atom or group with an alkali metal/liquid ammonia or alkali metal/liquid amine reducing agent in the presence of a proton source. The conversion of such dihydroxylated steroids to therapeutically useful new 1.alpha.-hydroxy vitamin D derivatives and related compounds is also described, as are pharmaceutical compositions and applications of these new compounds.