Inventors:
Michael J. Green - Kendall Park NJ
Elliot L. Shapiro - Cedar Grove NJ
Margaret A. Gentles - Bloomfield NJ
Assignee:
Schering Corporation - Kenilworth NJ
International Classification:
C07J 7100
Abstract:
3-Oxo-6-unsubstituted-7. alpha. -halogeno-4-dehydro steroids, wherein said halogen is chlorine, bromine or iodine, are prepared by reaction of a 3-oxo-6,7-di-unsubstituted-4,6-bis-dehydro steroid with at least an equimolar quantity of the corresponding hydrogen halide in a non-reactive organic solvent at temperatures no higher than about 30. degree. C, and then are isolated by removal of said solvent and any excess acid at temperatures no higher than about 25. degree. C without subjecting said 3-oxo-6-unsubstituted-7. alpha. -halogeno-4-dehydro steroid to a basic medium. A preferred species of this process is that wherein the starting steroid is a 3,20-dioxo-9-unsubstituted-11-oxygenated-1,4,6-pregnatriene-17,21-diol or ester thereof, preferably a 17,21-di-lower alkanoate or a 17-benzoate 21-lower alkanoate ester thereof, whereby is prepared in good yields a 3,20-dioxo-7. alpha. -halogeno-1,4-pregnadiene-17. alpha. ,21-diol or ester thereof, useful as topical anti-inflammatory agents.