Racemic prostaglandins of the 2-series and analogs thereof

A racemic compound of the formula:

• ##EQU32## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen, alkyl of one to 8 carbon atoms, inclusive, cycloalkyl of 3 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, aralkyl of 7 to 12 carbon atoms, inclusive, phenyl, or phenyl substituted with one to 3 chloro or alkyl of one to 4 carbon atoms, inclusive;
• wherein R.sub.2 is --(CH.sub.2).sub.a --CH.sub.3 wherein a is 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, or --(CH.sub.2).sub.d --X wherein d is zero, one, 2, 3, or 4 and X is isobutyl, tert-butyl, 3,3-difluorobutyl, 4,4-difluorobutyl, or 4,4,4-trifluorobutyl;
• wherein R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are hydrogen or alkyl of one to 4 carbon atoms, inclusive;
• wherein A is trimethylene or --CH.sub.2 --Z-- wherein Z is ethylene substituted with one or 2 fluoro, methyl, or ethyl;
• and pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof when R.sub.1 is hydrogen.