Process for the preparation of 17.alpha.-(3-iodobenzoyloxy)-9.alpha.-chloro-4-pregnene-3,20-diones and their D-homo homologs

Abstract

Novel 17.alpha.-(3-iodobenzoyloxy)-9.alpha.-chloro-4-pregnene-3,20-diones and the D-homo homologs thereof, of the formula ##STR1## wherein n is 1 or 2; C.sub.1 -----C.sub.2 represents a C--C single or C.dbd.C double bond; R.sub.1 is hydrogen, hydroxy, or lower acyloxy; R.sub.2 is hydrogen or methyl; R.sub.3 is hydrogen, methyl or fluorine; and when n is 1, C.sub.15 -----C.sub.16 represents a C--C single or C.dbd.C double bond; and when n is 2, C.sub.16 -----C.sub.17 represents a C--C single or C.dbd.C double bond; which have valuable pharmacological properties and also serve as intermediates in the preparation of known pharmacologically active compounds, can be prepared by irradiating a 17.alpha.-(3-iodobenzoyloxy)-4-pregnene-3,20-dione or a D-homo homolog thereof of the formula ##STR2## with long wavelength ultraviolet radiation in the presence of phenyliodine dichloride.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.