3beta-(benzyloxy)-17alpha-methyl-pregn-5-en-20-one for use in the treatment of cognitive disorders

A process for the manufacture of a compound of Formula (I):

• comprising:
• (a) converting pregnenolone to an enol acetate intermediate, followed by reaction of the enol acetate intermediate with a Grignard reagent to form a compound of Formula (II):
• and benzylating the compound of Formula (II) under acidic or basic conditions to provide the compound of Formula (I);
• or
• (b) converting pregnenolone to a compound of Formula (III):
• benzylating the compound of Formula (III) under acidic or basic conditions to provide a compound of Formula (IV):
• reacting the compound of Formula (IV) with an acid to provide a compound of Formula (V):
• and methylating the compound of Formula (V) to provide the compound of Formula (I);
• or
• (c) benzylating pregnenolone to form the compound of Formula (V), and then methylating the compound of Formula (V) to provide the compound of Formula (I).