NOVEL VITAMIN D ANALOGUES

This invention relates to a hitherto unknown class of compounds which shows antiinflammatory and immunomodulating effects as well as strong activity in inducing differenti¬ ation and inhibiting undesirable proliferation of certain cells, including cancer cells and skin cells, to pharma¬ ceutical preparations containing these compounds, to dosage units of such preparations, and to their use in the treat¬ ment and prophylaxis of hyperparathyroidism, particularly secondary hyperparathyroidism associated with renal fail¬ ure, for promoting osteogenesis and treating osteoporosis, for treating neurological dysfunctions such as Alzheimer's disease and a number of disease states including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, acne, alopecia, skin ageing, im¬ balance in the immune ^" system, inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma as well as diseases charac¬ terized by abnormal cell differentiation and/or cell proli¬ feration, such as psoriasis and cancer.

The compounds of the present invention are repre¬ sented by the general formula I

in which Q stands for a C-^-Cg hydrocarbylene diradical, R stands for hydrogen or C- _j _-C- hydrocarbyl, or two R groups, taken together with the carbon atom bearing the hydroxy group can form a C-^-Cg carbocyclic ring. Preferred compounds of formula I are those in which Q stands for a C-.-C-. hydrocarbylene diradical.

More preferred compounds are those in which Q stands for (CH ₂ ) _n , C=ΞC- (CH ₂ ) _n -i- where n is 3,4 or 5 and R stand for methyl or ethyl . In the context of this invention, the expression hydrocarbyl (hydrocarbylene) indicates the radical (diradi¬ cal) obtained after removal of 1 (2) hydrogen atom(s) from a straight, branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon. Examples of R include, but are not limited to, hy¬ drogen, methyl, trifluoromethyl, ethyl, vinyl, normal-, iso- and cyclopropyl, and propen-2-yl.

Examples of two R groups when taken together include di-, tri-, tetra-, and pentamethylene. Examples of Q include, but are not limited to di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, and hexamethylene, -CH=CH-CH ₂ - , CH ₂ -CH=CH-CH ₂ -, -CH=CH-CH ₂ CH ₂ -, -C_-C-CH ₂ -. -CH ₂ -C_-C-CH ₂ - , -C_=C-CH ₂ -CH ₂ -, and o- , m- and p- (C ₆ H ₄ ) -CH ₂ - •

Particularly preferred groups are: R = methyl or ethyl and Q = methylene, ethylene, tri-, tetra-methylene, -C==C-CH ₂ - .

It has been shown that le , 25-dihydroxy-vitamin D_. (1, 25 (OH) ₂ D ₃ ) influences the effects and/or production of interleukins (K. Muller et al . , Immunol . Lett . , 17., (1988), 361-366) , indicating the potential use of this compound in the treatment of diseases characterized by a dysfunction of the immune system, e.g. autoimmune diseases, AIDS, host versus graft reactions, and rejection of transplants or other conditions characterized by an abnormal interleukin-l production, e.g. inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. Promising immunological properties of vitamin D analogues have been described (L. Binderup,

Biochem . Pharmacol . , 43 _. , (1992) , 1885-1892) .

It has also been shown that l,25(OH)-,D ₃ is able to stimulate the differentiation of cells and inhibit excess¬ ive cell proliferation (E. Abe et al. , Proc . Na tl . Acad . Sci . , U. S. A. , 78., (1981), 4990-4994) , and it has been sug¬ gested that this compound might be useful in the treatment of diseases characterized by abnormal cell proliferation and/or cell differentiation such as leukemia, myelofibrosis and psoriasis. Also, the use of l,25(OH) ₂ D ₃ , or its pro-drug lor-0H-D , for the treatment of hypertension (L. Lind et al . , Acta Med . Scand . , 222, (1987) , 423-427) and diabetes mellitus (S. Ino ata et al . , Bone Mineral . , 1 , (1986) , 187- -192) has been suggested. Another indication for l,25(OH) ₂ D ₃ is suggested by the recent observation of an association between hereditary vitamin D resistance and alopecia: treatment with l,25(OH) ₂ D ₃ may promote hair growth (Editorial, Lancet, March 4, (1989) , p. 478) . Also, the fact that topical application of l,25(OH) ₂ D ₃ reduces the size of sebaceous glands in the ears of male Syrian hamsters suggests that this compound might be useful for the treatment of acne (V.L. Malloy et al., The Triconti- nental Meeting for Investigative Dermatology, Washington, (1989) ) . However, the therapeutic possibilities in such indi¬ cations are severely limited by the well known potent effect of l,25(OH) ₂ D ₃ on calcium metabolism; elevated blood concentrations will rapidly give rise to hypercalcemia. Thus, this compound and some of its potent synthetic ana- logues are not completely satisfactory for use as drugs in the treatment of e.g. psoriasis, leukemia or immune dis¬ eases which may require continuous administration of the drug in relatively high doses.

A number of vitamin D analogues have recently been described which show some degree of selectivity in favour of the cell differentiation inducing/cell proliferation inhibiting activity as compared with the effect on calcium

metabolism.

Recent studies (K.W. Colston et al . , Biochem . Phar¬ macol . , 44., (1992) , 693-702 and I.S. Mathiasen et al . , J. Steroid Biochem . Mol ec . Biol . , 46 _. , (1993) , 365-371) support the concept that vitamin D derivatives may inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation in vivo.

The compounds of the present invention differ struc¬ turally from any known vitamin D analogues. All analogues of vitamin D which show biological activity of at least the same order of magnitude as l,25(OH) ₂ D ₃ have a side chain backbone of at least four sequential atoms attached to C-17. In the compounds of this invention the side chain at C-17 has been reduced to a 2-propyl group i.e. there are only two sequential atoms in the backbone of the side chain. New side chains are now attached to C-18 as depicted in ormula I . Compounds of this type are not similar to any known compounds with vitamin D like activity and a predic¬ tion of biological activity is not possible. Such radical changes in the structure of vitamin D normally lead to a complete loss of biological activity.

Surprisingly, these compounds are biologically active and show favourable selectivity. The compounds of the in¬ vention show favourable antiproliferative and differen¬ tiation inducing properties on U937 and HaCaT cells (higher than those of l,25(OH) ₂ D ₃ ) and very low calciuric effect in rats (<5% of that of 1, 25 (OH) ₂ D ₃ ) .

The compounds of the invention are suited for both local and systemic treatment and prophylaxis of human and veterinary disorders which are characterized by abnormal cell proliferation and/or cell differentiation, such as certain dermatological disorders including psoriasis and certain cancer forms, and/or by an imbalance in the immune system, e.g. in autoimmune diseases, including diabetes mellitus, host versus graft reaction, and rejection of transplants. The compounds of the invention are also suited for the treating neurological dysfunctions such as Alzheimer's disease and for treatment of inflammatory di-

seases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. Acne, alopecia, and hypertension are other conditions which may be treated with the compounds of the invention. Finally, as thickening of the skin is observed after topical treatment with the compounds of the invention, these compounds may be useful for treatment or prevention of skin atrophy and skin ageing, including photo-ageing.

Because of the low tendency of the compounds to pro¬ duce hypercalcemia on continued administration they are expected to be valuable for the long term treatment of hy¬ perparathyroidism (particularly secondary hyperparat¬ hyroidism associated with renal failure) and for promoting osteogenesis and treating osteoporosis.

The present compounds may be used in combination with other pharmaceuticals. In the prevention of graft rejection and graft versus host reaction, a treatment with the pres¬ ent compounds may advantageously be combined with e.g. cyclosporin A treatment.

The compounds of formula I may conveniently be pre- pared from 20S- (4-methylphenylsulfonyloxymethyl) -de-A, B- pregnan- (8S) -ol (B. Lythgoe, D.A. Roberts and I. Water- house, J. Chem . Soc . Perkin I, (1977) , 2608-2612) by the routes outlined in Scheme 1 and 2.

For Q = CH ₂ -C-_C-CH ₂ and C=C-CH ₂ -CH ₂ the routes depicted in Schemes 3 and 4 to compounds of the general formula III and II, respectively, are preferred.

The following standard abbreviations are used throughout this disclosure: 18-Crown-6 = 1,4,7,10,13,16- hexaoxacyclooctadecane; DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide; Et = ethyl; "HF" = 5% hydrogen fluoride in acetonitrile: ater (7:1, v/v) ; LAH = Lithium aluminium hydride; Me = methyl; NMR = nuclear magnetic resonance; PDC = pyridinium dichromate, PPTS = pyridinium toluene-4-sulfonate; Pr = propyl; r.t. = room temperature; TBAF = tetra-π-butylammo- nium fluoride trihydrate; TBDMS = tert-butyldimethylsilyl; THF = tetrahydrofuran; THP = tetrahydro-4H-pyran-2-yl; TMS = trimethylsilyl ; TsO = toluene-4-sulfonyloxy.

Scheme 1

Synthesis of the Compound 805

Compound 801

OAc

Compound 802 Compound 803

Compound 804 Compound 805

Notes to Scheme 1 a) ^' LAH/THF/reflux/25 h b) Pb(OAc) ₄ /benzene/pyridine/hι>/15°C/3.5 h c) BF ₃ -Et ₂ 0/Ac ₂ 0/-25 to 25°C/l h d) KOH/MeOH/water/reflux/5 h e) TBDMSCl/imidazole/DMF/25°C/4 h

The syntheses of compounds 801-805 are described in the Preparations 1-5.

Scheme 2 Synthesis of Compounds of the general formula I

Compound805

Q and R are defined as above Y = TMS or THP Y' = H or THP

Notes to Scheme 2

a) KH/l8-Crown-6/VII (see below) /THF/0-30°C/0.1-5.0 h

b) Deprotection of alcohol groups with eg. "HF"/ethyl acetate/20-200 min or TBAF/THF/60°C/20-200 min

c) PDC/CH ₂ Cl ₂ /r.t./l-50 h

d) TMSCl/EtN(2-Pr) ₂ /CH ₂ Cl ₂ /0-30°C/0.2-6.0 h

e) cf . E.G. Baggiolini, J.A. Iacobelli, B.M. Hennesy,

A.D. Batcho, J.F. Sereno and M.R. Uskokovic, J. Org. Che . , J51, (1986) 3098-3108.

f) Deprotection of all alcohol groups with eg. "HF"/eth¬ yl acetate/20-200 min or TBAF/THF/60°C/20-200 min and/or PPTS/EtOH/50°C/20-200 min

Scheme 3 Synthesis of some Compounds of the general formula III (Q CH ₂ -C_-C-CH ₂ )

Compound 805 Compound 806

Formula HI

Compound 807, R = methyl Compound 808, R = ethyl

R is defined as in Scheme 2 .

Notes to Scheme 3

a) ϋert-BuOK/18-Crown-6/3-bromoprop-l-yne/THF/r. t . /21 h

b) n-Butyllithium/2,2-dialkyloxirane/BF ₃ -Et ₂ 0/-78°C to r.t./l-5 h

c) "HF"/ethyl acetate/20-200 min or TBAF/THF/60°C/20-200 min

The syntheses of Compounds 806-808 are described in the Preparations 71, 42 and 67.

Scheme 4 Synthesis of some Compounds of the general formula II (0

Compound 805 Compound 809

Compound 810 Compound 811

Compound 812 Formula II

R and Y are defined as in Scheme 2

Notes to Scheme 4

a ⁾ KH/l8-Crown-6/3-bromoprop-l-ene/THF/0-30°C/80 min

b) Ozone/CH ₂ Cl ₂ /MeOH/-70°C/20 min

c) NaBH ₄ /THF/MeOH/0°C/35 min

TsCl/pyridine/0°C/4 h

e) H-C_=C-CR ₂ (OY) /n-butyllithium/dioxane/90°C/lO-50 h

The syntheses of Compounds 809-812 are described in the Preparations 72-75.

Compounds of the general formula VII, Y0-CR ₂ -Q-X:

The present compounds are intended for use in pharma¬ ceutical compositions which are useful in the treatment of human and veterinary disorders as described above.

The amount required of a compound of formula I (he- reinafter referred to as the active ingredient) for thera¬ peutic effect will, of course, vary both with the particu¬ lar compound, the route of administration and the mammal under treatment . The compounds of the invention can be ad¬ ministered by the parenteral, intra-articular, enteral or topical routes. They are well absorbed when given enterally and this is the preferred route of administration in the treatment of systemic disorders. In the treatment of dermatological disorders like psoriasis or eye diseases topical or enteral forms are preferred. In the treatment of respiratory diseases like asthma an aerosol is preferred.

While it is possible for an active ingredient to be administered alone as the raw chemical, it is preferable to present it as a pharmaceutical formulation. Conveniently, the active ingredient comprises from 0.1 pp to 0.1% by weight of the formulation.

By the term "dosage unit" is meant a unitary, i.e. a single dose which is capable of being administered to a patient, and which may be readily handled and packed, re- maining as a physically and chemically stable unit dose comprising either the active material as such or a mixture of it with solid or liquid pharmaceutical diluents or car¬ riers .

The formulations, both for veterinary and for human medical use, of the present invention comprise an active ingredient in association with a pharmaceutically accept¬ able carrier therefore and optionally other therapeutic ingredient (s) . The carrier(s) must be "acceptable" in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulations and not deleterious to the recipient thereof. The formulations include e.g. those in a form suit¬ able for oral, rectal, parenteral (including subcutaneous,

intramuscular and intravenous) , intra-articular and topical administration.

The formulations may conveniently be presented in dosage unit form and may be prepared by any of the methods well known in the art of pharmacy. All methods include the step of bringing the active ingredient into association with the carrier which constitutes one or more accessory ingredients. In general, the formulations are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing the active ingredient into association with a liquid carrier or a finely divided solid carrier or both, and then, if necessary, shaping the product into the desired formulation.

Formulations of the present invention suitable for oral administration may be in the form of discrete units as capsules, sachets, tablets or lozenges, each containing a predetermined amount of the active ingredient; in the form of a powder or granules; in the form of a solution or a suspension in an aqueous liquid or non-aqueous liquid; or in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion or a water-in-oil emulsion. The active ingredient may also be administered in the form of a bolus, electuary or paste.

A tablet may be made by compressing or moulding the active ingredient optionally with one or more accessory ingredients. Compressed tablets may be prepared by com- pressing, in a suitable machine, the active ingredient in a free-flowing form such as a powder or granules, optionally mixed by a binder, lubricant, inert diluent, surface active or dispersing agent. Moulded tablets may be made by mould¬ ing, in a suitable machine, a mixture of the powdered active ingredient and suitable carrier moistened with an inert liquid diluent.

Formulations for rectal administration may be in the form of a suppository incorporating the active ingredient and a carrier such as cocoa butter, or in the form of an enema.

Formulations suitable for parenteral administration conveniently comprise a sterile oily or aqueous preparation

of the active ingredient which is preferably isotonic with the blood of the recipient .

Formulations suitable for intra-articular administra¬ tion may be in the form of a sterile aqueous preparation of the active ingredient which may be in microcrystalline form, for example, in the form of an aqueous micro- crystalline suspension. Liposomal formulations or bio¬ degradable polymer systems may also be used to present the active ingredient for both intra articular and ophthalmic administration.

Formulations suitable for topical administration, including eye treatment, include liquid or semi-liquid pre¬ parations such as liniments, lotions, gels, applicants, oil-in-water or water-in-oil emulsions such as creams, ointments or pastes; or solutions or suspensions such as drops .

In addition to the aforementioned ingredients, the formulations of this invention may include one or more ad¬ ditional ingredients such as diluents, buffers, flavour- ing agents, binders, surface active agents, thickeners, lubricants, preservatives, e.g. methyl hydroxybenzoate (in¬ cluding anti-oxidants) , emulsifying agents and the like. The compositions may further contain other therapeutically active compounds usually applied in the treatment of the above mentioned pathological conditions.

The present invention further concerns a method for treating patients suffering from one of the above patholog¬ ical conditions, said method consisting of administering to a patient in need of treatment an effective amount of one or more compounds of formula I, alone or in combination with one or more other therapeutically active compounds usually applied in the treatment of said pathological con¬ ditions. The treatment with the present compounds and/or with further therapeutically active compounds may be simul- taneous or with intervals.

In the treatment of systemic disorders daily doses of from 0.1-100 μg, preferably from 0.2-25 μg, of a compound

of formula I are administered. In the topical treatment of dermatological disorders, ointments, creams or lotions con¬ taining from 0.1-500 μg/g, and preferably from 1-100 μg/g, of a compound of formula I are administered. For topical use in ophthalmology ointments, drops or gels containing from 0.1-500 μg/g, and preferably from 1-100 μg/g, of a compound of formula I are administered. The oral composi¬ tions are formulated, preferably as tablets, capsules, or drops, containing from 0.05-50 μg, preferably from 0.1-25 μg, of a compound of formula I, per dosage unit.

The invention will now be further described in the following non-limiting General Procedures, Preparations and Examples :

General Procedures, Preparations and Examples

The exemplified compounds I are listed in Table 1, whereas compounds of the general formulas II-VI are listed in Table 2.

For ^X H NMR (300 MHz) and ¹³ C NMR (75.6 MHz) spectra chemical shift values (δ) are quoted, unless otherwise specified, for deuteriochlorofor solutions relative to internal tetramethylsilane (δ = 0.00), chloroform (δ = 7.25 for ¹ H NMR) or deuteriochloroform (δ = 76.81 for ¹³ C NMR) . The value for a multiplet, either defined (doublet (d) , triplet (t) , quartet (q) ) or not (m) at the approximate mid point is given unless a range is quoted (s = singlet, b = broad) .

Ether is diethyl ether, and was dried over sodium. THF was dried over sodium/benzophenone. Reactions were run at room temperature unless otherwise noted. The work-up procedure referred to involves dilution with the specified solvent (otherwise the organic reaction solvent) , wash with water and then brine, drying over anhydrous MgS0 ₄ , and con¬ centration in vacuo to give a residue. Chromatography was performed on silica gel.

Table 1

Comp. Example General Q R

No. No. formula

Table 2 (continued)

Comp. Prep. General Y/Y' No. No. formula

Table 2 (continued)

Comp. Prep. General Y/Y' Q R

No . No. formula

Preparation 1: 20-Methyl-de-A,B-pregnan- (85 -ol ,

Compound 801 A solution of 205- (4-methylphenylsulfonyloxymethyl) - de-A,B-pregnan- (8S) -ol (B. Lythgoe, D.A. Roberts and I. Waterhouse, J. Chem . Soc. Perkin I, (1977) , 2608-2612)

(0.51 g) in dry THF (5 ml) was refluxed under argon with LAH (0.10 g) for 5 h. After cooling the mixture was quen¬ ched with drops of water and the mixture was worked up (ether) . The oily residue was chromatographed on silica gel with ethyl acetate/pentane 1:2 to give the title compound. ^X H NMR: 0.84 (d, 3H) , 0.91 (d,3H) , 0.93 (s,3H ⁾ , 0.90-1,92 (m,13H) , 1.98 (m, 1H) , 4.07 (m, 1H) .

Preparation 2 : 85, 18-Epoxy-20-methyl-de-A. -preg- nane. Compound 802 Compound 801 (1.7 g) was dissolved in benzene (600 ml) and pyridine (4 ml) and lead tetraacetate (19.3 g) was added under an atmosphere of argon { cf . D.F. Maynard, A.W. Norman and W.H. Okamura, J. Org. Chem . , 57, (1992) 3214- 3217) . The reaction mixture was irradiated with UV-light from a Hanau TG 700 W mercury lamp at ca. 15°C for 3h 45 min. The reaction mixture was filtered and solvent was removed in vacuo . The residue was mixed with ethyl acet¬ ate/pentane 1:3, filtered and chromatographed on silica gel with ethyl acetate/pentane 1:3 to give the title compound. ¹ H NMR: 0.85 (d,3H) , 0.91 (d, 3H) , 0.90-2.10 (m, 13H) , 3.70

(m,2H) , 4.14 (d, 1H)

Preparation 3 : 8J_, 18-Diacetoxy-20-Methyl-de-A,B- pregnane. Compound 803 Under argon and at -25 to -20°C boron trifluoride etherate (26.4 ml) was added dropwise to a solution of Compound 802 (2.2 g) in acetic anhydride (200 ml) . Stirring was continued for 30 min at -20°C and for 15 min at r.t. The mixture was poured into ice cold saturated aqueous sodium hydrogencarbonate (1 1) . After stirring for 1 h the aqueous phase was extracted with ether (3 x 300 ml) . The combined ether phases were washed with water (200 ml) and brine (250 ml) , dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo . Chromatography on silica gel with ethyl acetate/pentane 1:4 gave the title compound. H NMR: 0.85 (d,3H) , 1.02 (d,3H) , 2.01 (d,3H) , 2.06 (s,3H) , 0.90-2.35 (m,13H) , 3.97 (d, 1H) , 4.16 (d, 1H) , 4.90 (m, 1H) .

Preparation 4 : 20-Methyl-de-A,B-pregnane-8f_.18- diol , Compound 804 Compound 803 (3.0 g) was dissolved in methanol (50 ml) and an aqueous solution (20 ml) of potassium hydroxide (2 g) was added. After stirring at 65°C for 6.5 h the reac¬ tion mixture was filtered through silica gel. The filtrate

was evaporated to dryness in vacuo and chromatographed on silica gel wit ethyl acetate/pentane 2:1 to give the title compound. ^ NMR: 0.88 (d,3H) , 1.04 (d,3H) , 0.90-2.10 (m,14H) , 2.33 (m,lH) , 3.62 (m,2H) , 3.67 ( , 1H) .

Preparation 5: 8R-tert-Butyldimethylsilyloxy-20- methyl-de-A,B-pregnan-18-ol, Com¬ pound 805 Compound 804 (1.3 g) , imidazole (1.0 g) and tert- butyldimethylsilyl chloride (1.1 g) was stirred in dry DMF (54 ml) at r.t. for 4 h. The reaction mixture was worked up (ether) . The residue was chromatographed on silica gel with ether/pentane 1:4 to give the title compound. H NMR: 0.01 (s,3H) , 0.02 (s,3H) , 0.85 (s,9H) , 0.85 (d,3H) , 1.02 (d,3H) , 0.90-1.98 (m,13H) , 2.29 (m,lH) , 3.52-3.70 (m,3H) .

General Procedure 1 : Alkylation of Compound 805 with a compound of the general formula VII to compounds of the general formula II

Compound 805 (0.25 g) and a compound of the general formula VII (1.5 mmol) were dissolved in dry THF (5 ml) under argon and potassium hydride (0.23 ml of a 20% oil emulsion) was added. After 5 min a solution of 18-Crown-6 (200 mg) in dry THF (2 ml) was added. After stirring for 20 min at r.t. the reaction mixture was partitioned between water (50 ml) and ether (50 ml) . The ether phase was washed with saturated aqueous sodium chloride (25 ml) and dried over magnesium sulfate . The residue after evaporation of solvent in vacuo was chromatographed on silica gel with ether/pentane 1:10 (v/v) to give a compound of the general formula II.

General Procedure 2 : Deprotection of compounds with the general formula II or VI to the cor¬ responding compounds III or I, re¬ spectively, by treatment with "HF" To a solution of a compound with the general formula

II or VI (0.05 mmol) in ethyl acetate (0.25 ml) was added acetonitrile (1.0 ml) followed by a 5% solution of hydro¬ fluoric acid in acetonitrile :water, 7:1 (0.8 ml) under argon and with stirring. Stirring was continued for 45 min at ambient temperature. Saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen- carbonate (10 ml) was added, and the reaction mixture was worked up (ethyl acetate) . The residue was purified by chromatography (ethyl acetate or a mixture of ethyl acetate and hexane or pentane as eluant) to yield a compound of the general formula III or I.

General Procedure 3 : Oxidation of compounds with the ge¬ neral formula III to compounds of the General formula IV A solution of a compound of the general formula III

(0.5 mmol) and PDC (1.5 mmol) in dichloromethane (15 ml) was stirred at r.t. for 24 h. The reaction mixture was added saturated aqueous sodium hydrogencarbonate (50 ml) and worked up (dichloromethane) . Chromatography with ethyl acetate/pentane 1:3 as eluant gave a compound of the gen¬ eral formula IV.

General Procedure 4 : Protection of the hydroxy group in a compound of the general formula IV (Y'=H) to give a compound of the ge¬ neral formula V A solution of a compound of the general formula IV (Y'=H) (0.4 mmol) , N-ethyldiisopropylamine (0.8 mmol) and trimethylsilyl chloride (0.8 mmol) in dichloromethane (4 ml) was stirred for 140 min. The reaction mixture was par¬ titioned between dichloromethane (30 ml) and phosphate buf¬ fer (30 ml, pH 6.5) . The organic phase was washed with

brine (30 ml) and dried over magnesium sulfate. The residue after evaporation of solvent was chromatographed on silica gel with ethyl acetate/pentane 1:4 as eluant to give a compound of the general formula V.

General Procedure 5 : Coupling of [35- (1Z, 3α, 5<3) 1 - ,2- [3 , 5- bis ( t-butyldimethylsilyloxy) -2-meth- ylenecvclohexylidenel ethyl1 diphen- ylphosphine oxide with a compound of the general formula V to give a com¬ pound of the general formula VI The method described by E.G. Baggiolini, J.A. Iacobelli, B.M. Hennessy, A.D. Batcho, J.F. Sereno and M.R. Uskokovic, J. Org . Chem . , 51 _. , (1986) 3098-3108 was used.

General Procedure 6 : Addition of 2, 2-dialkyloxirane to

Compound 806 to give Compound 807 or 808 To a solution of Compound 806 (0.21 g) in dry THF (2 ml) at -78°C was slowly added a solution of n-butyllithium in hexane (1.6 M, 0.21 ml) . After stirring at -78°C for 40 min boron trifluoride etherate (0.050 ml) was added and stirring continued for 10 min. A solution of 2,2-dialkyl- oxirane (alkyl = methyl or ethyl) (0.42 mmol) in dry THF (2 ml) was added and stirring was continued at r.t. for 1 h. Addition of saturated ammonium chloride and work up with ethyl acetate. Chromatography gave the desired compound 807 or 808.

General Procedure 7 : Reaction of Compound 812 with a compound of the general formula H-CsC-CR ₂ (OY) to give some compounds of the general formula II To a solution of a compound of the formula H-C=C-CR ₂ (OY) (2.2 mmol) i dry dioxane (6 ml) at 5°C was added n-BuLi (1.4 ml, 1.5 M in hexane) . After stirring for 30 min at 5°C and 1 h at r.t. a solution of Compound 812

(0.28 g) in dioxane (3 ml) was added and the mixture was stirred at 90°C for 2 days. Work up with ethyl acetate and chromatography with ether/pentane 1:10 (v/v) gave a compound of the general formula II.

Preparation 6 : Compound 201

General Procedure 1.

Starting compound VII: Compound 701.

Chromatography eluant: ether/pentane 1:10 (v/v) . ¹ H NMR: 0.02 (s,3H) , 0.03 (s,3H) , 0.10 (s,9H) , 0.81

(d,3H) , 0.87 (s,9H) , 0.98 (d,3H) , 1.19 (s,6H) , 0.90-1.95 (m,18H) , 2.27 (m,lH) , 3.17 (d, 1H) , 3.29 (m,3H) , 3.68 (m,lH) .

Preparation 7: Compound 301

General Procedure 2.

Starting compound II: Compound 201.

Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate.

^X H NMR: 0.84 (d,3H) , 1.00 (d,3H) , 1.21 (s,6H) , 0.85- 2.10 (m,20H) , 3.31 (m, 1H) , 3.20 (d, 1H) , 3.31 (m,3H) , 3.72 (m,lH) .

Preparation 8 : Compound 401

General Procedure 3. Starting compound III: Compound 301.

Chromatography eluant : Ethyl acetate .

^X H NMR: 0.86 (d, 3H) , 1.03 (d,3H) , 1.20 (s,3H) , 1.21 (s,3H), 1.10-2.40 (m,19H) , 2.45 (m, 1H) , 3.12 (d,lH) , 3.28 (m,3H) .

Preparation 9: Compound 501

General Procedure 4. Starting compound IV: Compound 401. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:4 (v/v) .

¹ H NMR: 0.08 (s,9H) , 0.84 (d,3H) , 1.02 (d,3H) , 1.18 (s,6H) , 1.10-2.40 (m,18H) , 2.47 (m,lH) , 3.06 (d,lH) , 3.24 (m,3H) .

Preparation 10 : Compound 601 General Procedure 5. Starting compound V: Compound 501. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:10 (v/v) . ¹ H NMR: 0.06 (m, 12H) , 0.08 (s,9H) , 0.83 (d,3H) , 0.87

(s,9H) , 0.88 (s,9H) , 1.02 (d, 3H) , 1.18 (s,6H) , 1.00-2.10 (m,19H) , 2.21 (dd, 1H) , 2.46 (m,2H) , 2.85 ( , 1H) , 2.99 (d,lH) , 3.08 (d,lH) , 3.24 (m,2H) , 4.18 (m,lH) , 4.37 (m,lH) , 4.84 (m,lH) , 5.16 (m, 1H) , 5.98 (d,lH) , 6.24 (d,lH) .

Preparation 11: Compound 202 General Procedure 1.

Starting compound VII: Compound 702. Chromatography eluant: Ether/pentane 1:10 (v/v) . ¹ H NMR: 0.02 (s,3H) , 0.03 (s,3H) , 0.08 (s,9H) , 0.81

(t,6H) , 0.82 (d,3H) , 0.86 (s,,9H) , 0.98 (d,3H) , 0.90-1.95 (m,20H) , 2.27 (m, 1H) , 3.12-3.35 (m,4H) , 3.68 (m, 1H) .

Preparation 12 : Compound 302 General Procedure 2.

Starting compound II: Compound 202. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate.

¹ H NMR: 0.84 (d, 3H) , 0.86 (t,6H) , 1.00 (d,3H) , 0.85- 2.10 (m,22H) , 2.30 (m,lH) , 3.15-3.40 (m.4H) . 3.71 (m, 1H) .

Preparation 13: Compound 402 General Procedure 3.

Starting compound III: Compound 302. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate. ¹ H NMR: 0.80-0.90 (m, H) , 1.02 (d,3H) , 1.15-2.50

(m, 22H) , 3.10-3.40 (m,4H) .

Preparation 14: Compound 502 General Procedure 4. Starting compound IV: Compound 402. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate:pentane 1:1

(v/v)

^" H NMR: 0.08 (s,9H) , 0.80 (t,6H) , 0.85 (d,3H) , 1.03

(d,3H) , 1.20-2.40 (m,20H) , 2.48 (m,lH) , 3.04 (d,lH) , 3.23 (m,3H) .

Preparation 15 : Compound 602 General Procedure 5. Starting compound V: Compound 502.

Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:10 (v/v) . ¹ H NMR: 0.05 (m, 12H) , 0.08 (s,9H), 0.80 (t,6H) , 0.83

(d,3H) , 0.87 (s,9H) , 0.88 (s,9H), 1.02 (d,3H) , 1.00-2.12 (m,21H) , 2.21 (dd,lH) , 2.46 (m,2H), 2.85 (m, IH) , 2.98 (d,lH) , 3.09 (d,lH) , 3.22 (m, 2H) , 4.18 (m, IH) , 4.36 (m, IH) , 4.84 (m,lH) , 5.16 (m, IH) , 5.98 (d,lH) , 6.24 (d, IH) .

Preparation 16: Compound 203 General Procedure 1.

Starting compound VII: Compound 703. Chromatography eluant: Ether/pentane 1:10 (v/v) . ^ NMR: 0.01 (s,3H) , 0.02 (s,3H) , 0.81 (d,3H) , 0.86

(s,9H) , 0.90-1.95 (m,31H) , 2.27 (m, IH) , 3.26 (dd,lH) , 3.46 (m,2H) , 3.64 (m, IH) , 3.93 (m, IH) , 4.13 (m,2H) 5.03 (m, IH) .

Preparation 17: Compound 303 General Procedure 2.

Starting compound II: Compound 203. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:1

(v/v)

^■ H NMR: 0.84 (d, 3H) , 0.90-2.10 (m,32H) , 3.29 (m _. lH) 3.34 (d,lH) , 3.48 (m,2H) , 3.73 (m, IH) , 3.94 (m, IH) , 4.13 (m,2H) , 5.06 (m, IH) .

Preparation 18: Compound 403

General Procedure 3.

Starting compound III: Compound 303.

Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:2 (v/v) .

¹ H NMR: 0.86 (d, 3H) , 0.95 (t,3H) , 0.96 (t,3H) , 1.03 (d,3H) , 1.20-2.60 (m,23H) , 3.16 (d.lH) , 3.41 (d,lH) , 3.50 (m,lH) , 3.95 (m, IH) , 4.03 (d,lH) , 4.15 (d,lH) , 5.01 (m, IH) .

Preparation 19: Compound 603 General Procedure 5. Starting compound V: Compound 403. Chromatography eluant: Ether/pentane 1:10 (v/v) . ¹ H NMR: 0.05 (m, 12H) , 0.84 (d,3H) , 0.86 (s,9H) , 0.87 (s,9H) , 0.94 (t,3H) , 0.95 (t,3H) , 1.01 (d,3H) , 0.90-2.12 (m,23H) , 2.20 (dd,lH) , 2.45 (m,2H) , 2.84 (m,lH) , 3.18 (m,2H) , 3.47 (m,lH) , 3.92 (m, IH) , 4.06 (m,2H) , 4.18 (m,lH) , 4.37 (m,lH) , 4.84 (m, IH) , 5.01 (m,lH), 5.17 (m, IH) , 5.99 (d,lH) , 6.21 (d,lH) .

Preparation 20: Compound 204 General Procedure 1.

Starting compound VII: Compound 704. Chromatography eluant: Ether/pentane 1:10 (v/v) . ¹ H NMR: 0.01 (m, 6H) , 0.82 (d,3H) , 0.86 (s,9H) , 1.01

(m,3H) , 1.50 (s,3H) , 1.66 (s,3H) , 0.80-1.95 (m,18H) , 2.34 (m,lH) , 3.26-3.45 (m, 3H) , 3.66 (m, IH) , 3.95 (m,lH) , 4.35- 4.50 (m,3H) , 7.18 (d,lH) , 7.28 (t,lH) , 7.36 (d,lH) , 7.40

:S,IH)

Preparation 21: Compound 304 General Procedure 2. Starting compound II: Compound 204. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:1 (v/v) followed by ethyl acetate.

^X H NMR: 0.84 (d,3H) , 1.03 (m,3H) , 1.51 (s,3H) , 1.67 (s,3H) , 0.90-2.07 (m,19H) , 2.36 (m, IH) , 3.25-3.45 (m, 3K) ,

3.68 (m,lH) , 3.95 (m,lH) , 4.33-4.52 (m,3H) , 7.17 (d,lH) , 7.29 (t,lH) , 7.36(d,lH) , 7.41 (m, IH) .

Preparation 22: Compound 404 General Procedure 3.

Starting compound III: Compound 304. Chromatography eluant : Ethyl acetate/pentane 1 : 3 (v/v) .

¹ H NMR: 0.85 (d, 3H) , 1.05 (m, 3H) , 1.51 (s,3H) , 1.67 (s,3H) , 1.20-2.45 (m,18H) , 2.53 (m,lH), 3.16 (dd,lH) , 3.34 (m,lH) , 3.39 (m,lH) , 3.95 (m,lH) , 4.33-4.50 (m,3H) , 7.14 (d,lH) , 7.29 (t,lH) , 7.36 (s _. lH) , 7.37 (d, IH) .

Preparation 23 : Compound 604 General Procedure 5.

Starting compound V: Compound 404. Chromatography eluant : pentane followed by ethyl acetate/pentane 1:4 (v/v) .

¹ H NMR: 0.06 (m, 12H) , 0.84 (d,3H) , 0.88 (s,9H) , 0.89 (s,9H) , 1.06 (m,3H) , 1.49 (s,3H) , 1.66 (s,3H) , 0.80-2.00 (m,18H) , 2.08 (m,lH) , 2.21 (dd,lH) , 2.45 (dd,lH) , 2.56 (bd.lH) , 2.85 (m,lH) , 3.20 (m,2H) , 3.37 (m, IH) , 3.95 (m,lH) , 4.19 (m,lH) , 4.37 (m,4H) , 4.83 (m, IH) , 5.16 (m,lH) , 5.99 (d,lH), 6.23 (d, IH) , 7.14 (d,lH) , 7.26 (t,lH) , 7.33 (d,lH) , 7.33 (s,lH) .

Preparation 24 : Compound 205 General Procedure 1. Starting compound VII: Compound 705. Chromatography eluant: Pentane followed by ether/- pentane 1:4 (v/v) .

^: H NMR: 0.00 (m, 6H) , 0.61 (t,3H) , 0.76 (t,3H) , 0.81 (d,3H) , 0.85 (s,9H), 1.00 (m, 3H) , 0.70-2.10 (m, 22H) , 2.34 (m,lH) , 3.27 (d,lH) , 3.38 (d,lH) , 3.42 (m, IH) , 3.64 (m, IH) , 4.00 (m,lH) , 4.43 (m,2H) , 4.59 (m, IH) , 7.15 (d,lH) , 7.20- 7.40 (m,3H) .

Preparation 25: Compound 305

General Procedure 2.

Starting compound II: Compound 205.

Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:2 (v/v) followed by ethyl acetate.

¹ H NMR: 0.61 (t,3H) , 0.77 (m,3H) , 0.83 (d,3H) , 1.01 (m,3H) , 0.70-2.10 (m,23H) , 2.35 (m, IH) , 3.33 (m,2H) , 3.43 (m,lH) , 3.68 (m, IH) , 4.00 (m,lH) , 4.43 (m,2H) , 4.50-4.75 (m,lH) , 7.07-7.45 (m,4H) .

Preparation 26 : Compound 405 General Procedure 3.

Starting compound III: Compound 305. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:3

(v/v)

^ NMR: 0.60 (t,3H) , 0.76 (m, 3H) , 0.84 (d, 3H) , 1.03 (m,3H) , 1.20-2.45 (m,22H), 2.52 (m, IH) , 3.13 (d, IH) , 3.31 (d,lH) , 3.43 (m,lH) , 4.00 (m,lH) , 4.39 (m,2H) . 4.59 (m,lH) , 7.11 (d,lH) , 7.20-7.40 (m,3H) .

Preparation 27 : Compound 605 General Procedure 5. Starting compound V: Compound 405. Chromatography eluant: Pentane followed by ethyl acetate/pentane 1:4 (v/v) .

¹ H NMR: 0.06 (m, 12H) , 0.59 (t,3H) , 0.77 (t,3H) , 0.82 (d,3H) , 0.87 (s,9H) , 0.88 (s,9H) , 1.04 (m, 3H) , 1.00-2.12 (m,23H) , 2.21 (dd,lH) _. 2.45 (dd.lH), 2.56 (bd,lH) , 2.84 (m,lH) , 3.18 (m,2H) , 3.43 (m,lH) , 3.99 (m, IH) , 4.19 (m, IH) , 4.37 (m,3H), 4.56 (m,lH) , 4,83 (m,lH) , 5.16 (m,lH) , 5.99 (d,lH) , 6.22 (d,lH) , 7.11 (d,lH) , 7.20-7.40 (m, 3H) .

Preparation 28: Compound 206

General Procedure 1. Starting compound VII: Compound 706.

Chromatography eluant: ether/pentane 1:10 (v/v) .

¹³ C NMR: 73.6, 71.8, 71.2, 69.0, 58.9, 56.8, 48.3, 41.4, 36.3, 35.1, 31.0, 29.6, 25.7, 24.9, 24.3, 23.2, 22.9, 21.9, 2.4, -4.3, -4.8.

Preparation 29: Compound 306 General Procedure 2. Starting compound II: Compound 206 Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:1 (v/v) . ¹³ C NMR: 72.0, 70.8, 70.6, 69.0, 59.0, 57.1, 48.7,

40.9, 35.9, 35.0, 31.2, 29.4, 29.1, 28.2, 24.9, 23.5, 23.4, 23.2, 22.0.

Preparation 30: Compound 406 General Procedure 3.

Starting compound III: Compound 306. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:1 (v/v) .

¹³ C NMR: 221.7, 71.9, 70.4, 70.2, 60.3, 58.5, 52.8, 40.5, 40.3, 36.4, 30.9, 29.5, 28.9, 27.8, 24.5, 24.0, 23.2, 23.0, 19.5.

Preparation 31: Compound 506 General Procedure 4. Starting compound IV: Compound 406.

Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:4 (v/v) .

¹³ C NMR: 211.2, 73.6, 72.0, 69.2, 60.3, 58.4, 52.6, 41.2, 40.4, 35.5, 30.8, 29.6, 29.6, 27.5, 24,5, 23.7, 23.0, 22.8, 19.2, 2.4.

Preparation 32: Compound 606 General Procedure 5. Starting compound V: Compound 506. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:10

(v/v) .

¹³ C NMR: 148.1,140.9, 135.0, 122.9, 117.9, 111.0, 73.7, 71.9, 71.6, 68.1, 67.3, 58.7, 55.4, 49.0, 45.9, 44.6, 41.4, 35.4, 31.4, 29.6, 28.6, 27.6, 25.7, 24.9, 23.2, 23.1, 21.9, 18.1, 17.9, 2.4, -4.8, -5.0, -5.3.

Preparation 33 : Compound 207 General Procedure 1.

Starting compound VII: Compound 707. Chromatography eluant: ether/pentane 1:10 (v/v) .

Preparation 34 : Compound 307 General Procedure 2. Starting compound II: Compound 207 Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:1 (v/v) .

Preparation 35: Compound 407 General Procedure 3.

Starting compound III: Compound 307. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:1

(v/v) .

Preparation 36: Compound 507 General Procedure 4. Starting compound IV: Compound 307.

Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:4 (v/v) .

Preparation 37: Compound 607 General Procedure 5.

Starting compound V: Compound 507. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:10 (v/v) .

Preparation 38: Compound 208 General Procedure 1.

Starting compound VII: Compound 708. Chromatography eluant: ether/pentane 1:10 (v/v) .

Preparation 39: Compound 308 General Procedure 2. Starting compound II: Compound 208 Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:1 (v/v) .

Preparation 40: Compound 408 General Procedure 3.

Starting compound III: Compound 308. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:1

(v/v) .

Preparation 41: Compound 608 General Procedure 5. Starting compound IV: Compound 408.

Chromatography eluant: Ether/pentane 1:4 (v/v) .

Preparation 42: 8R-tert-Butyldimethylsilyloxy-20- methyl-18- (5-hvdroxy-5-methyl-hex-2-yn- 1-yloxy) -de-A,B-pregnane (Compound 807)

General Procedure 6.

Starting material: 2, 2-Dimethyloxirane.

Chromatography eluant: ether/pentane 1:2 (v/v) fol¬ lowed by ether. ¹³ C NMR: 82.6, 79.4, 71.2, 69.8, 67.8, 58.9, 58.5,

56.8, 48.2, 36.2, 34.7, 34.3, 31.0, 28.4, 27.7, 25.7, 24.2, 23.1, 22.9, 21.7, 18.0, -4.3, -4.8.

Preparation 43 : Compound 309 General procedure 2.

Starting material: Compound 807.

Chromatography eluant : Ethyl acetate/pentane 1 : 1 (v/v) .

Preparation 44 : Compound 409 General Procedure 3. Starting compound III: Compound 309.

Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:1 (v/v) .

Preparation 45 : Compound 609 General Procedure 5.

Starting compound IV: Compound 409. Chromatography eluant: Ether/pentane 1:4 (v/v) .

Preparation 46: Compound 210 General Procedure 1.

Starting compound VII: Compound 710. Chromatography eluant: Ether/pentane 1:4 (v/v) .

Preparation 47: Compound 310 General Procedure 2.

Starting compound II: Compound 210. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:1 (v/v) .

Preparation 48: Compound 410 General Procedure 3.

Starting compound III: Compound 310. Chromatography eluant : Ethyl acetate/pentane 1 :1 (v/v) .

Preparation 49: Compound 610 General Procedure 5. Starting compound IV: Compound 410. Chromatography eluant: Ether/pentane 1:10 (v/v)

Preparation 50 Compound 211 General Procedure 7.

Starting compound: 3-Methyl-3- (tetrahydropyran-2- yloxy) -but-1-yne. Chromatography eluant: Ether/pentane 1:20 (v/v)

Preparation 51: Compound 311 General Procedure 2. Starting compound II: Compound 211. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:1 (v/v) .

Preparation 52 : Compound 411 General Procedure 3.

Starting compound III: Compound 311. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:2

(v/v) .

Preparation 53: Compound 611 General Procedure 5. Starting compound IV: Compound 411.

Chromatography eluant: Ether/pentane 1:10 (v/v) .

Preparation 54 Compound 212

General Procedure 7. Starting compound: 3-Ethyl-3- (tetrahydropyran-2-yl- oxy) -pent-1-yne.

Chromatography eluant: Ether/pentane 1:20 (v/v) .

Preparation 55: Compound 312 General Procedure 2

Starting compound II: Compound 212. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:2 (v/v) .

Preparation 56: Compound 412

General Procedure 3.

Starting compound III: Compound 312. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:2 (v/v) .

Preparation 57: Compound 612 General Procedure 5.

Starting compound IV: Compound 412. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:10 (v/v) .

Preparation 58 : Compound 213 General Procedure 1.

Starting compound VII : Compound 713. Chromatography eluant: Ether/pentane 1:10 (v/v) . ¹³ C NMR: 95.9, 95.9, 88.5, 88.4, 80.2, 71.2, 70.9, 67.5, 67.5, 63.1, 63.0, 58.9, 58,3, 56.8, 48.1, 36.2, 34.6,

31.8, 30.9, 30.6, 30.6, 29.7, 29.5, 27.7, 25.7, 25.2, 24.2, 23.1, 22.9, 21.6, 20.3, 20.2, 17.9, -4.3, -4.8.

Preparation 59: Compound 313 General Procedure 2.

Starting compound II: Compound 213. Chromatography eluant : Ethyl acetate/pentane 1 : 1 (v/v) .

¹³ C NMR: 96.0, 88.7, 80.5, 80.4, 71.1, 70.7, 67.8, 67.8, 63.2, 63.1, 59.0, 58.5, 57.1, 48.5, 35.8, 34.9, 32.0, 31.0, 30.8, 29.9, 28.3, 28.2, 25.4, 23.5, 23.5, 23.4, 23.0,

21.9, 20.4, 20.4.

Preparation 60: Compound 413 General Procedure 3.

Starting compound III: Compound 313. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:1

(v/v)

¹³ C NMR: 211.3, 96.2, 96.2, 89.1, 79.8, 79.8, 71.1, 68.0, 63.3, 63.3, 60.5, 58.7, 58.5, 52.6, 40.7, 35.4, 32.0, 30.9, 30.7, 29.9, 29.8, 27.7, 25.4, 23.7, 23.2, 23.0, 20.5, 19.3.

Preparat ion 61 : Compound 613 General Procedure 5 .

Starting compound IV : Compound 413 . Chromatography eluant : Ether/pentane 1 : 4 (v/v)

¹³ C NMR: 148.2, 140.4, 135.2, 122.8, 118.1, 111.0,

96.0, 88.0, 80.4, 71.8, 70.9, 67.3, 67.1, 63.1, 58.6, 58.2,

55.4, 48.8, 45.8, 44.6, 35.1, 31.8, 31.2, 30.7, 30.6, 29.7,

29.6, 28.6, 27.5, 25.7, 25.2, 23.1, 22.9, 21.9, 20.3, 18.1, 17.9, -4.9, -5, -5.2.

Preparation 62: Compound 214 General Procedure 1.

Starting compound VII: Compound 714. Chromatography eluant: Ether/pentane 1:10 (v/v) .

Preparation 63 : Compound 314 General Procedure 2. Starting compound II: Compound 214. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:1

(v/v) .

Preparation 64 : Compound 414 General Procedure 3. Starting compound III: Compound 314.

Chromatography eluant : Ethyl acetate/pentane 1 : 1 (v/v) .

Preparation 65 : Compound 514 General Procedure 4.

Starting compound IV: Compound 414. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:1 (v/v) .

Preparation 66: Compound 614 General Procedure 5. Starting compound V: Compound 514. Chromatography eluant: Ether/pentane 1:4 (v/v) .

Preparation 67: 8R-tert-Butyldimethylsilyloχy-20- methyl-18- (5-ethyl-5-hydroxy-hept-2-vn- 1-yloxy) -de-A,B-pregnane, Compound 808 General Procedure 6.

Starting material: 2, 2-Diethyloxirane. Chromatography eluant: ether/pentane 1:2 (v/v) fol¬ lowed by ether.

Preparation 68: Compound 315 General Procedure 2. Starting Compound: Compound 808.

Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:1 (v/v) . ¹³ C NMR: 82.9, 79.5, 70.8, 70.0, 68.0, 59.0, 58.8,

57.1, 48.6, 35.8, 34.9, 34.5, 31.1, 28.6, 28.2, 23.5, 23.4, 23.0, 21.9.

Preparation 69: Compound 415 General Procedure 3.

Starting compound III: Compound 315. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:1 (v/v) .

Preparation 70 : Compound 615 General Procedure 5. Starting compound IV: Compound 415. Chromatography eluant: Ether/pentane 1:10 (v/v) .

Preparation 71: 8R-tert-Butyldimethylsilyloxy-20- methyl-18- (prop-2-yn-l-yloxy) -de- A,B-pregnane. Compound 806 A solution of Compound 805 (0.45 g) , 18-Crown-6 (0.36 g) and potassium ϋert-butoxide (0.31 g) was stirred for 10 min and 3-bromoprop-l-yne (0.32 g) was added. After stirring for 1 h another portion of 3-bromoprop-l-yne (0.32 g) was added and after stirring for 1 h 3-bromoprop-l-yne (0.32 g) and potassium tert-butoxide (0.62 g) were finally added. After stirring for 19 h the reaction mixture was worked up (ether) and chromatographed with ether/pentane

1:20 (v/v) as eluant to give Compound 806.

¹³ C NMR: 80.0, 73.8, 71.1, 68.2, 58.9, 58.2, 56.9,

48.2, 36.3, 34.8, 31.0, 27.8, 25.7, 24.2, 23.2, 22.8, 21.7, 18.0, -4.3, -4.8.

Preparation 72: 8R-tert-Butyldimethylsilyloxy-20- methyl-18- (prop-2-en-l-yloχy) -de- A,B-pregnane, Compound 809 The General Procedure 1 was followed where "a compound of the general formula VII" was replaced with "3- bromoprop-1-ene" and where the product "a compound of the general formula II" was replaced by "Compound 809".

¹³ C NMR: 135.1, 115.5, 72.1, 71.2, 68.7, 58.9, 56.9,

48.3, 36.3, 35.1, 31.0, 27.8, 25.7, 24.2, 23.2, 22.9, 22.0, 18.0, -4.3, -4.8.

Preparation 73: 8R- ert-Butyldimethylsilyloxy-20- methyl-18- (carbonylmethoxy) -de-A,B- pregnane. Compound 810 Ozone was passed through a solution of Compound 809 (0.9 g) in a mixture of dichloromethane (60 ml) and meth- anol (20 ml) at -70°C for 30 min until no more starting compound 809 could be detected (TLC, ether/pentane 1:10 (v/v)) . Triphenylphosphine (0.8 g) was added and the mixture was stirred at -70°C for 30 min. Solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue was chromatographed with ether/pentane 1:4 (v/v) followed by ether as eluant to give Compound 810.

¹³ C NMR: 201.2, 76.7, 71.0, 70.3, 58.8, 56.7, 48.5, 36.2, 34.6, 31.3, 27.7, 25.7, 24.2, 23.2, 22.8, 21.8, 17.9, -4.3, -4.8.

Preparation 74 : 8R-tert-Butyldimethylsilyloxy-20- methyl-18- (2-hydroxyethoxy) -de-A,B- pregnane. Compound 811 Sodium borohydride (0.43 g) was added to an ice-cold solution of Compound 810 (0.92 g) in a mixture of THF (20 ml) and methanol (40 ml) . After stirring for 35 min the

mixture was evaporated in vacuo to dryness and the residue was chromatographed with ether/pentane 1:7 (v/v) followed by ether to give Compound 811.

¹³ C NMR: 72.1, 71.1, 69.2, 61.8, 58.8, 56.7, 48.4, 36.2, 34.6, 31.3, 27.8, 25.7, 24.2, 23.1, 22.8, 21.8, 17.9, -4.3, -4.8.

Preparation 75: 8R- ert-Butyldimethylsilyloxy-20- methyl-18- [2- (4-methylphenylsulfon- yloxy) -ethoxy] -de-A,B-pregnane,

Compound 812 To an ice-cold solution of Compound 811 (0.69 g) in pyridine (7.5 ml) was added 4-toluenesulfonylchloride (0.70 g) . After stirring for 4 h at 0°C the mixture was worked up with ether and chromatographed with ether/pentane 1:4 (v/v) to give Compound 812.

¹³ C NMR: 144.5, 132.9, 129.6, 127.7, 71.1, 69.4, 69.0, 68.4, 58.7, 56.6, 48.3, 36.2, 34.5, 31.0, 27.7, 25.7, 24.2, 23.1, 22.7, 21.7, 21.4, 17.9, -4.4, -4.8.

Preparation 76 : Compound 509 General Procedure 4. Starting compound IV: Compound 409. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:4 (v/v) .

Preparation 77: Compound 515 General Procedure 4. Starting compound IV: Compound 415. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate/pentane 1:4 (v/v) .

Example 1: 1 (S) ,3 (R) -Dihvdroxy-20-methyl-18- (5-

-methyl-5-hvdroxy-hexyloxy) -9, 10-seco- pregna-5 (Z) .7 (E) , 10 (19) -triene (Com¬ pound 101) Method: General Procedure 2.

Starting compound VI: Compound 601.

Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate.

^ NMR: 0.85 (m, 9H) , 1.03 (d,3H) , 1.00-2.20 (m,24H) , 2.30 (dd,lH) , 2.38 (m, IH) , 2.61 (dd, IH) , 2.86 (m,lH) , 3.12 (s,2H) , 3.29 (m,2H) , 4.24 (m, IH) , 4.42 ( , IH) , 4.98 (m, IH) , 5.30 (m,lH) , 6.03 (d, IH) , 6.38 (d, IH) .

Example 2 : 1 (S) ,3 (R) -Dihydroxy-20-methyl-18- (4-

-ethyl-4-hydroxy-hexyloxy) -9 , 10-seco- pregna-5 (Z) , 7 (E) .10(19) -triene (Com¬ pound 102) Method: General Procedure 2. Starting material: Compound 602. Chromatography eluant : Ethyl acetate. ^X H NMR: 0.85 (d, 3H) , 1.03 (d,3H) , 1.20 (s,6H), 1.00-

2.15 (m,22H) , 2.31 (dd, IH) , 2.44 (m, IH) , 2.61 (dd,lH) , 2.85 (m,lH) , 3.08 (m,2H) , 3.27 (t,2H) , 4.23 (m,lH) , 4.43 (m,lH) , 4.99 (m,lH) , 5.32 (m,lH) , 6.00 (d, IH) , 6.39 (d,lH) .

Example 3 : 1 (S) , 3 (R) -Dihydroxy-20-methyl-18- (4-

-ethyl-4-hydroxy-hex-2-vnyloxy) -9,10- seco-pregna-5 (Z) , 7 (E) , 10 (19) -triene (Compound 103) Method: General Procedure 2. Starting material: Compound 603.

Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate.

¹ H NMR: 0.85 (d,3H), 1.00 (t,6H) , 1.00 (d,3H) , 1.00- 2.25 (m,20H) . 2.30 (dd, IH) , 2.43 (m, IH) , 2.61 (dd,lH) , 2.87 (m,lH) , 3.10 (d,lH) , 3.30 (d,lH) , 4.09 (m,2H) , 4.23 (m, IH) , 4.43 (m,lH) , 5.00 (m, IH) , 5.32 (m,lH) , 6.03 (d,lH) , 6.39 (d,lH) .

Example 4 : 1 (S) , 3 (R) -Dihvdroxy-20-methyl-18- (3-

(1-hvdroxy-1-methylethyl) phenylmethyl- oxy) -9 , 10-seco-pregna-5 (Z) ,7(E) ,10(19)- triene (Compound 104) Method: General Procedure 2.

Starting material: Compound 604.

Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate.

^ NMR: 0.85 (d, 3H) , 1.07 (d,3H) , 1.57 (s,6H) , 0.80- 2.15 (m,16H) , 2.30 (dd, IH) , 2.52 (m,lH) , 2.60 (dd,lH) , 2.85 (m,lH) , 3.18 (m,2H) , 4.23 (m,lH) , 4.40 (m, 3H) , 4.94 (m, IH) , 5.28 (rn _. lH) , 5.98 (d,lH) , 6.36 (d,lH) , 7.16 (d, IH) , 7.29 (t,lH) , 7.38 (d,lH) , 7.42 (s,lH) .

Example 5 : 1 (S) , 3 (R) -Dihydroxy-20-methyl-18- (3- (1-hvdroxy-1-ethylpropyl)phenylmethyl- oxy) -9, 10-seco-pregna-5 (Z) ,7(E) ,10(19)- triene (Compound 105) Method: General Procedure 2. Starting material: Compound 605. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate.

¹ H NMR: 0.74 (t,3H) . 0.75 (t,3H) , 0.84 (d, 3H) , 1.06 (d,3H) , 1.00-2.15 (m,20H) , 2.31 (dd, IH) , 2.52 (m,lH) , 2.60 (dd,lH) , 2.84 (m,lH) , 3.17 (m,2H) , 4.24 (m,lH) , 4.40 (m,2H) , 4.42 (m,lH) , 4.95 (m, IH) , 5.30 (m,lH) , 5.99 (d,lH) , 6.36 (d,lH) , 7.10-7.35 (m,4H) .

Example 6 : 1(S) ,3 (R) -Dihvdroxy-20-methyl-18- (4-

-hvdroxy-4-methylpentyloxy) -9 , 10-seco- pregna-5 (Z) ,7 (E) .10 (19) -triene (Com- pound 106)

Method: General Procedure 2. Starting material: Compound 606. Chromatography eluant : Ethyl acetate . ¹³ C NMR: 147.3, 142.4, 133.2, 124.4, 117.1, 111.9, 71.8, 71.0, 70.4, 69.2, 66.5, 58.6, 55.5, 49.2, 45.3, 42.6, 40.8, 35.9, 31.2, 29.1, 28.8, 28.8, 27.9, 24.8, 23.3, 23.1, 22.2.

Example 7 : 1 ( S ) , 3 (R) -Dihvdroxy- 20 -methyl - 18 - ( 5 -

-hydroxy-5-ethylheptyloxy) -9, 10-seco- pregna-5 (Z) , 7 (E) .10 (19) -triene (Com¬ pound 107) Method: General Procedure 2.

Starting material: Compound 607. Chromatography eluant : Ethyl acetate .

Example 8 : 1 (S) , 3 (R) -Dihydroxy-20-methyl-18- (4- (1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl) phenylmethyl- oxy) -9, 10-seco-pregna-5 (Z) ,7(E) ,10(19) triene (Compound 108) Method: General Procedure 2. Starting material: Compound 608. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate.

Example 9 : 1 (S) , 3 (R) -Dihydroxy-20-methyl-18- (5-

-hydroxy-5-ethylhept-2-vn-1-yloxy) - 9,10-seco-pregna-5(Z) ,7(E) .10 (19) -tri- ene (Compound 109)

Method: General Procedure 2. Starting material: Compound 609. Chromatography eluant : Ethyl acetate .

Example 10: 1 (S) , 3 (R) -Dihvdroxy-20-methyl-18- (4-

-hvdroxy-4-methylpent-2-en-l-yloxy) - 9,10-seco-pregna-5 (Z) ,7(E) ,10 (19) -tri¬ ene (Compound 110) Method: General Procedure 2. Starting material: Compound 610.

Chromatography eluant : Ethyl acetate.

Example 11: 1 (S) .3 (R) -Dihvdroxy-20-methyl-18- (5-

-hvdroxy-5-methylhex-3-vn-l-yloχy) - 9,10-seco-pregna-5 (Z) ,7 (E) .10 (19) -tri¬ ene (Compound 111) Method: General Procedure 2.

Starting material: Compound 611. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate.

Example 12 : 1 (S) .3 (R) -Dihvdroxy-20-methγl-_ 8- (5- -hydroxy-5-ethylhept-3-vn-l-yl- oxy) -9, lO-seco-pregna-5 (Z) ,7(E) .10 (19) - triene (Compound 112) Method: General Procedure 2. Starting material: Compound 612. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate.

Example 13 : 1 (S) .3 (R) -Dihvdroxy-20-methyl-18- (4-

-hydroxy-4-methylpent-2-vn-l-yl- oxy) -9, lO-seco-pregna-5 (Z) ,7(E) ,10(19) - triene (Compound 113)

Method: General Procedure 2. Starting material: Compound 613. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate. ¹³ C NMR: 147.3, 143.1, 133.5, 124.7, 117.1, 112.6, 91.1, 78.4, 71.7, 67.3, 66.6, 65.0, 58.7, 58.4, 55.8, 49.2, 45.5, 42.7, 35.4, 31.6, 31.4, 31.1, 29.1, 27.8, 23.5, 23.2, 22.1.

Example 14 : 1 (S) , 3 (R) -Dihvdroxy-20-methyl-18- (6- -hydroxy-6-methylheptyloxy) -9 , 10-seco- pregna-5 (Z) .7(E) .10 (19) -triene (Com¬ pound 114) Method: General Procedure 2. Starting material: Compound 614. Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate.

Example 15: 1(S) ,3 (R) -Dihvdroxy-20-methyl-18- (5-

-hvdroxy-5-methylhex-2-yn-l-yloxy) - 9,10-seco-pregna-5(Z) .7(E) ,10 (19) -tri- ene (Compound 115)

Method: General Procedure 2. Starting material: Compound 615.

Chromatography eluant: Ethyl acetate.

Example 16 : Capsules containing Compound 101

Compound 101 was dissolved in arachis oil to a final concentration of 1 μg/ml oil. Ten parts by weight of gela¬ tine, 5 parts by weight of glycerin, 0.08 parts by weight potassium sorbate, and 14 parts by weight distilled water were mixed together with heating and formed into soft gela¬ tine capsules. These were then filled each with 100 μl of the oily solution of Compound 101.

Example 17: Dermatological Cream containing Com¬ pound 102 Compound 102 (0.05 mg) was dissolved in almond oil (1 g) . To this solution was added mineral oil (40 g) and self-emulsifying beeswax (20 g) . The mixture was heated to liquifidation. After the addition of hot water (40 ml) , the mixture was mixed well. The resulting cream contains approximately 0.5 μg of compound 102 per gram of cream.