Inventors:
Michael W. Winkley - St. Albans VT
Robert D. Mitchell - Doylestown PA
Assignee:
American Home Products Corporation - Madison NJ
International Classification:
C07J 700, C07J 7100
Abstract:
A process for the production of medrogestone, in which, in an intermediate step, the solvate 3. beta. ,5. alpha. ,6. beta. -trihydroxy-6. alpha. ,17. alpha. -dimethylpregnan-20- one monomethanolate is obtained as a solid, stable compound by displacing the organic solvent from a solution of of 3. beta. ,5. alpha. ,6. beta. -trihydroxy-6. alpha. ,17. alpha. -dimethylpregnan-20- one with a lower alkanol, and a Diels-Alder adduct of 6-methylene-17. alpha. -methylpregn-4-ene-3,20-dione with maleic anhydride is used as an intermediate for production of the corresponding dicarboxylic acid salt for removal of 6-methylene-17. alpha. -methylpregn-4-ene-3,20-dione contamination of the desired product. Another intermediate, 6. beta. -hydroxy-6. alpha. ,17. alpha.