The present invention relates to new androst-4-eno i 4,5-b] pyrroles, to a process for their preparation, to pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and to their use as therapeutic agents, in particular in the treatment of hormone-dependent diseases in mammals. Basic and clinical data indicate that aromatized metabolites of androgens, i.e. the estrogens, are the hormones involved in the pathogenic cellular changes associated with the growth of some hormone-dependent cancers, such as breast, endometrial and ovarian carcinomas. Estrogens are also involved in the pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Endogenous estrogens are ultimately formed from either androstenedione or testosterone as immediate precursors. The reaction of central importance is the aromatization of the steroidic ring A, which is performed by the enzyme aromatase . As aromatization is a unique reaction and the last in the series of steps in the biosynthesis of estrogens, it has been envisaged that an effective inhibition of the aromatase, resulting from compounds able to interact with the aromatizing steps, may have

useful application for controlling the amount of circulating estrogens, estrogen-dependent processes in reproduction, and estrogen-dependent tumors. Known steroidal substances which have been reported to be endowed with an aromatase-inhibiting action are, for example, Δ^testololactone (U. S . Pat .2 , 744 , 120 ) , 4- hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3 , 17-dione and esters thereof (see, for example, U . S . Pat . , 235 , 893 ) , 10- ( 1 , 2-propadienyl )- estr-4-ene-3,17-dione ( U . S . Pat .4 , 289 , 762 ) , 10-{2- propynyl )-estr-4-ene-3 , 17-dione( J . Amer .Chem. Soc . , 103. 3221 (1981 ) and U.S.Pat. 4,322,416), 19-thioandrostene derivatives ( Europ. Pat. Appl .100 , 566 ) , androsta-4 , 6-diene- 3 , 17-dione, androsta-1 , 4 , 6-triene-3 , 17-dione (G. B.Pat. Appl .2,100,601A) ,androsta-l ,4-diene-3, 17-dione (Cancer Res.(SuppL ) _2, 3327 (1982)), 6-alkenylen- androsta-1 ,4-diene-3 , 17-diones ( U. S . Pat .4 , 808 , 816 and U.S. Pat. 4,904,650) and 6-alkenylen-androsta-l , 4-dien- 17-ol-3-one derivatives ( U . S . Pat .4 , 873 , 233 ) . The present invention provides new compounds having the following general formula (I)

where in x, y and z represent single or double bonds; R is hydrogen or C.-C. alkyl; R, is hydrogen or an acyl group; R, is hydrogen; C.- ^ alkyl unsubstituted or substituted by phenyl, or phenyl unsubstituted or substituted by C _j -C^ alkyl or C.-C. alkoxy;

A is a >C=0, >CH»vOH or >CHIΛAOR, group, in which R, is an acyl group provided that one of z and y is a double bond and the other is a single bond.

Compounds falling within the scope of formula (I) above are all the possible isomers, stereoisomers and their mixtures, and the metabolites and the metabolic precursors or bioprecursors of the compound of formula (I). In the formulae of specification the heavy solid lines (------ ^* β ) indicate that a substituent is in the β- configuration, i.e. above the plane of the ring, whereas a dotted line ( ) indicates that a substituent is in the α-configuration, i.e. beneath the plane of the ring, and a wavy line (VWΛ/) indicates that a substituent may be either in the α-configuration, or in the 13-configuration or in both, i.e. a mixture thereof.

In particular when in the compounds of formula (I) A is >CH«ΛΛ*0H or >CHκv <-0R, substituent may be either in the α- or in the β-configuration or in both, i.e. a mixture thereof. Analogously, when x or y is a single bond, the

R or R substituent, respectively, may be either in the α- or β-configuration or in both, i.e. a mixture thereof. Accordingly, object of the present invention are also all the possible iεomers, e.g. the single lα,17α; lα, 17β;lβ, 17α and lβ,17β epimers, as well as all possible mixtures thereof, e.g. l(α,β), 17α; l(α,β), 17β; lα,17(α,β); lβ, 17(α,β) and l(α,β), 17(α,β)-isomers of the compounds of formula . (I). Hence a compound of the invention herein specifically mentioned, without any indication of its stereochemistry, is intended to represent all the possible single isomers or mixtures thereof.

In this specification the alkyl groups and the alkyl moiety in the alkoxy or acyl group may be a straight or branched chain.

A C _j -C, alkyl group is preferably a methyl or ethyl group, more preferably a methyl group.

An acyl group may be a residue of any physiologically tolerable acid. Preferred examples of said acids are the -\~- _l alkanoic ones; in particular acetic, propionic and butyric acids.

When R is a C.-C _j alkyl group substituted by phenyl R, is preferably benzyl.

When R _j is a phenyl substituted by a C.-C. alkyl or C,-C. alkoxy R, is preferably para-methylphenyl or paramethoxy- phenyl .

- o

As stated above, the present invention also includes within its scope pharmaceutically acceptable bio¬ precursors (otherwise known as pro-drugs) of the compounds of formula (I), i.e. compounds which have a different formula to formula (I) above but which nevertheless upon administration to a human being are converted directly or indirectly _. in _. vivo into a compound of formula ( I ) . Preferred compounds of the invention are the compounds of formula (I) wherein

A is a >C=0, >CH«Λ~OH or >CH _* v ^* )Ac

R, R, and R, are hydrogen; x, y, z are single or double bonds; provided that one of y and z is a double bond and the other is a single bond.

Examples of specific compounds of the invention are the following compounds:

3,17-dioxo-l\'H-androst-4-eno[ 4,5-b] pyrrole;

17β-hydroxy-3-oxo-l\'H-androst-4-enoi 4,5-b] pyrrole; 17β-acetoxy-3-oxo-l\'H-androst-4-eno[ 4,5-b] pyrrole;

3,17-dioxo-l\'H-androsta-l,4-dieno[ 4,5-b] pyrrole;

17β-hydroxy-3-oxo-l Η-androsta-1 , 4-dieno[ 4 , 5-b] pyrrole ;

17β-acetoxy-3-oxo-l \' H-androsta-1 , 4-dieno[ 4 , 5-b] pyrrole .

3,17-dioxo-l\'H-androsta-4,6-dieno[4,5-b]pyrroline; 17β-hydroxy-3-oxo-l\'H-androsta-4,6-dieno[4,5-b]pyrroline;

17β-acetoxy- 3-oxo-l Η-androsta-4 , 6-dieno[ 4 , 5-b] pyrrol ine ; ,17-dioxo-l\'H-androsta-l,4,6-trieno[4,5-b]pyrroline;

17β-hydroxy-3-oxo-l\'H-androsta-l,4,6-trieno[4,5-b]pyrro line; and

17β-acetoxy-3-oxo-l\'H-androsta-l , ,6-trieno[4,5-b]pyrroline, as well as, where appropriate, the α, β mixtures of the above reported 17α, 17β epimers.

The compounds of the invention can be obtained by a process comprising: a) reacting a compound of formula (II)

wherein R, R, and A are as defined above, with a compound of formula (III)

M-N _j (III) wherein M is an alkali metal or ammonium cation or a tri-C.-Cg-alkylsilyl group, so obtaining a compound of formula (I), wherein x and z are single bonds, y is double bond, R, R, and A are as defined above and R. is hydrogen; or b) pyrolysing a compound of formula (IV)

wherein R and A are as defined above, thus obtaining a compound of formula (I), wherein x and y are double bonds, z is single bond, R _j and R2 are hydrogen, and R and A are as defined above; or, if desired, c) deacylating a compound of formula (V)

wherein A and R are as defined above, so obtaining a compound of formula (I) wherein x and z are double bonds, y is single bond, R. and R, are hydrogen, A and R are as defined above; and/or, if desired, d) dehydrogenating a compound of formula (IA)

wherein y, z, R, R. , R, and A are as defined above so obtaining a compound of formula (I), wherein x is double bond and y, z, R, R., R, and A are as defined above; and/or if desired e) reducing selectively a compound of formula (IB)

wherein x, y,z, R, R, and R, are as defined above, thus obtaining a compound of formula (I) wherein A is >CHΛΛ-OH, x, y, z, R, R, and R, are as defined above; and/or, if desired, f ) acylating selectively a compound of formula (IC)

wherein x, y, z, R, R _j and R^ are as defined above, thus obtaining a compound of formula (I) wherein x, y, z, R, R, , and R, are as defined above and A is a >CH««OR2 group in which R, is an acyl group; and/or if desired,

acylating a compound of formula (ID)

wherein x, y, ∑, R and R, are as defined above thus obtaining a compound of formula (I) wherein x, y, z, R and R, are as defined above, R. is an acyl group and A is a carbonyl group; and _t if desired, converting a compound of formula (I) into another compound of formula (I), and/or, if desired, separating a mixture of isomers of compounds of formula (I) into the single isomers.

The reaction between a compound of formula (II) and a compound of formula (III) according to the process step a), is preferably carried out in an organic solvent such as, for instance, N,N-dimethylformamide , N,N-dimethyl- acetamide or dimethylsulfoxide; some water or an aqueous alcoholic, e.g. methanolic or ethanolic solution may be added, if desired to increase the solubility of the azide of formula (III). The reaction is performed at temperatures ranging from about 90\'C to about 150 ^* C and applying reaction times from 1/2 hour to several hours,

for example 5 hours. Preferred compounds of formula (III) are sodium azide, lithium azide, ammonium azide, trimethylsilylazide and dimethyl-tert-butylsilylazide . The pyrolysis of a compound of formula (IV) according to the process step (b ) , may be performed according to known methods, e.g. by heating a solution of the compound in an inert solvent such as DMSO for several hours at temperatures ranging from about 50"C to about 150 ^° C. The deacylation of a compound of formula (V) according to process step (c), may be performed according to known methods, e.g. by treatment with hydrochloric acid in alcoholic solution at temperatures ranging from O\'C to reflux temperature.

The dehydrogenation of a compound of formula (IA) according to the process step (d), may be performed according to known methods, e.g. by treatment with DDQ according to D. Walker and J.D. Hiebert in Chem. Rev. 67. 156 (1967), or by treatment with selenium dioxide, chloranil or benzeneseleninic anhydride. Preferably such reaction is performed by treatment with DDQ. Preferably also an inert solvent such as dioxane, benzene, toluene or dichloromethane, a temperature ranging from about 40 ^* C to about 100 ^* C and reaction time lasting from about 1 hour to about 24 hours are employed. The selective reduction of a compound of formula (IB), according to the process step (e), may be carried out by

well known methods, for example as described by C. Djerassi in Steroid Reactions (1963) or by D. Fried in Organic Reactions in Steroid Chemistry Vol. I (1972). Preferably the reduction is carried out with complexed metal hydrides, in particular with sodium borohydride in an inert organic solvent in particular in methanol solution at temperatures ranging from about 0 ^* C to about 50\'C. The acylation of a compound of formula (IC) according to the process step (f) can be performed by reaction with reactive derivative of a suitable carboxylic acid, such as an anhydride or halide, in the presence of a basic agent, at temperatures ranging from about 0" to about 50"C. Preferably the acylation is carried out by reaction with the respective anhydride in the presence of an organic base, such as pyridine.

The acylation of a compound of formula (ID) according to the process step (g) can be performed, e.g. by reaction with a suitable carboxylic anhydride in the presence of a basic agent at temperatures ranging from room temperature to reflux temperature. Preferably the acylation is carried out with carboxylic anhydride at reflux temperatures in the presence of sodium acetate base as described by W.A. Remers et al . in J. Org . Chem. , 16, 1232 (1971).

The separation of a mixture of isomers into the single

isomers as well as the conversion of a compound of formula (I) into another compound of formula (I) may be carried out according to known methods.

The conversion of a compound of formula (I) into another compound of formula (I) includes for example the conversion of a 17β-hydroxy derivative of a compound of formula (I) into the corresponding 17α-hydroxy derivative which may be carried out by basic catalysis, e.g. with 0.1N sodium hydroxide in an aliphatic alcohol, e.g. ethanol.

Other examples of conversions of a compound of formula (I) into another compound of formula (I) are: the dehydrogenation of a compound of formula (I) wherein x is single bond and y, z, R, R, , R, and A are as defined above, into a corresponding compound of formula (I) wherein x is a double bond, which reaction may be carried out by the method reported above for the process step

(d); the reduction of a compound of formula (I) wherein x, y, z, R, R,, R, are as defined above and A is a >C=0 group to a corresponding compound of formula (I) wherein A is a >CH^-OH group, which reaction may be carried out by the method reported above for the process step (e); the acylation of a compound of formula (I) wherein R, R, , R, , z, y and z are as defined above and A is CH AOH to a corresponding compound of formula (I) wherein A is

>CH«vvtOR, group wherein R, is an acyl group, the reaction may be carried out by the method reported above for the process step ( f ) .

The acylation of a compound of formula (I) wherein x, y, z, R and R, are as defined above, A is a >=0 group and R _j is hydrogen, to a corresponding compound of formula (I) wherein x, y, z, R and R, are as defined above A is a >=0 group and R, is an acyl group, which reaction may be carried out by the method reported above for the process step (g).

A compound of formula (II) can be obtained by epoxidizing a compound of formula (VI)

wherein A, R and R, are as defined above. The oxidation may be carried out by treatment with a suitable oxidizing agent, e.g. with 36% H,0, in alcoholic alkali hydroxide solution, preferably KOH or NaOH in methanol, at a temperature ranging from about 0" to about 30 ^* C for reaction times lasting from 2 rourε to several days.

A compound of formula (VI) may be in its turn obtained by alkylidenation of a compound of formula (VII)

wherein R and A are as defined above, according to known methods, e.g. according to the method of K. Annen (Synthesis 1982. 34). Preferably a compound of formula (VII) is reacted with unsubstituted or appropriately R, substituted formaldehyde diethylacetal | CH,(OEt), or R _j CHfOEtJ _j l , wherein R _j is as defined above, in refluxing chloroform, in the presence of catalytic amounts of phosphoryl chloride and sodium acetate.

Alternatively a compound of formula (VI) wherein A is a CHOR, group may be obtained from a compound of formula (VIII),

wherein R and R, are as defined above by Grignard reaction with a Grignard reagent of formula R, MgBr and

subsequent hydrolysis of enolether group with aqueous mineral acid. The Grignard reaction may be carried out according to reaction conditions veil known in organic chemistry, e.g. as described by M.S. Karasch and O. Reinmuth in "Grignard reactions of non metallic substances" .

The compounds of formula (VII) and (VIII), are known compounds or may be obtained by known methods from known compounds. A compound of formula (IV) can be obtained from a compound of formula (IX)

wherein R and A are as defined above by reaction with a compound of formula (III), preferably with sodium azide. Preferably the reaction is carried out in an organic solvent, such as dimethylformaraide, di ethylacetamide or dimethylsulfoxide in the presence of an inorganic base such as lithium carbonate by applying reaction temperatures ranging from about 50 ^* C to about lOO\'C. A compound of formula (IX) may be obtained by bromination of a compound of formula (X)

wherein R and A are as defined above.

Preferably the bromuration is carried out in an inert organic solvent such as acetic acid, ether or mixtures thereof at temperatures ranging from about -20 ^* C to room temperature. Preferably exactly 1 mol eq. of bromine is used.

The compounds of formula (X) are known compounds (see

U.S. Pat. 4,822,528) or may be obtained by known methods from known compounds.

A compound of formula (V) may be obtained by bromination of a compound of formula (XI)

wherein R and A are as defined above. Preferably the bromination is carried out in an inert organic solvent such as acetic acid, ether or mixtures thereof at temperatures ranging from about -20 ^* C to about room temperature and by applying exactly 1 olequivalent of

bromine .

A compound of formula (XI) may be obtained from a compound of formula (IV) by reduction to an amino intermediate and successive acetylation. The reduction of the azido group may be performed e.g. with triphenyl- phosphine in THF solution or with sodium sulfide in aqueous acetone solution. The successive acetylation may be carried out with acetanhydride or acetyl chloride according to the method used in process step (f). When in the new compounds of the present invention and in the intermediate products thereof groups are present, which need to be protected before submitting them to the here-above illustrated reactions, they may be protected before the reactions take place and then deprotected at the end of the reactions, according to well known methods in organic chemistry.

The compounds of the present invention are inhibitors of the biotransformation of androgens into estrogens, i.e., they are steroidal aromatase inhibitors. The aromatase inhibitory activity of these compounds was demonstrated by employing the in vitro test described by Thompson and Siiteri (E.A. Thompson and P.K. Siiteri, J. Biol. Chem.249 , 5364 (1974) which utilizes the human placental microsomal fraction as enzyme source. In this test the aromatization rate of androstenedione into estrone was evaluated by incubating [lβ- H]

androstenedione (50nM) in the presence of NADPH with the enzyme preparation and by measuring the amount of H 0 formed during 15 min incubation at 37 ^* C.

The concentration of each compound required to reduce control aromatase ^\' activity by 50% (ICr.) was determined by plotting % inhibition versus log of inhibitor concentra ion.

Thus, for example in the above test, a representative compound of the invention, namely 3 , 17-dioxo-l \'H- androsta-1 , -dieno[4 , 5-b]pyrrole was found to produce 50% inhibition of human placental aromatase at the concentration of 120 nM.

In view of the above indicated ability to inhibit aromatase and, consequently, to reduce estrogen levels, the compounds of the invention are useful in mammals, including humans, in the treatment and prevention of various estrogen-dependent diseases, i.e. breast, endometrial, ovarian and pancreatic cancers, gyneco astia, benign breast disease, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian disease and precocious puberty. Another application of the compounds of the invention is in the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of prostatic hyperplasia, a disease of the estrogen- dependent stromal tissue. The compounds of the invention can find also use for the treatment of male infertility associated with oligo-

spermia and for female fertility control, by virtue of their ability to inhibit ovulation and egg nidation. In view of their low toxicity the compounds of the invention can be used safely in medicine. For example, the approximate acute toxicity (LDr« ) of the compounds of the invention in the mouse, determined by single administration of increasing doses and measured on the seventh day after the treatment was found to be negligible . The compounds of the invention can be administered in a variety of dosage forms, e.g. orally, in the form of tablets, capsules, sugar or film coated tablets, liquid solutions or suspensions; rectally, in the form of suppositories, parenterally, e.g. intramuscularly, or by intravenous injection or infusion.

The dosage depends on the age, weight, conditions of the patient and administration route; for example, the dosage adopted for oral administration to adult humans may range form about 10 to about 150-200 mg pro dose, from 1 to 5 times daily.

The invention includes pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of the invention in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient (which can be a carrier or diluent). The pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds of the invention are usually prepared following

conventional methods and are administered in a pharmaceutically suitable form.

For example the solid oral forms may contain, together with the active compound, diluents, e.g. lactose, dextrose, saccharose, cellulose, corn starch or potato starch; lubricants, e.g. silica, talc, stearic acid, magnesium or calcium stearate , and/or polyethylene glycols; binding agents, e.g. starches, arabic gums, gelatin, methylcellulose , carboxymethylcellulose or polyvinyl pyrrolidone; disaggregating agents, e.g. a starch, alginic acid, alginates or sodium starch glycolate; effervescing mixtures; dyestuffs, sweeteners; wetting agents, such as lecithin, polysorbates, laurylsulphates; and, in general, non-toxic and pharmacologically inactive substances used in pharmaceutical formulations. Said pharmaceutical preparations may be manufactured in known manner, for example, by means of mixing, granulating, tabletting, sugar-coating, or film-coating processes. The liquid dispersion for oral administration may be e.g. syrups, emulsions and suspensions.

The syrups may contain as carrier, for example, saccharose or saccharose with glycerine and/or mannitol and/or εorbitol. The suspensions and the emulsions may contain as carrier, for example, a natural gum, agar, sodium alginate,

pectin, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, or polyvinyl alcohol.

The suspensions or solutions for intramuscular injections may contain, together with the active compound, a pharma- ceutically acceptable carrier, e.g. sterile water, olive oil, ethyl oleate, glycols, e.g. propylene glycol, and if desired, a suitable amount of lidocaine hydrochloride.

The solutions for intravenous injections or infusions may contain as carrier, for example, sterile water or preferably they may be in the form of sterile, aqueous, isotonic saline solutions.

The suppositories may contain together with the active compound a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, e.g. cocoa-butter, polyethylene glycol, a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester surfactant or lecithin.

The following examples illustrate but do not limit the invention:

Example 1

3 , 17-dioxo-l Η-androst-4-eno[ 4 , 5-b] pyrrole

To a stirred solution of 4 , 5-epoxy-6-methylen-androstan- 3,17-dione (3,14g, 10 mmol) in dimethyl sulphoxide (110 ml) and cone, sulphuric acid (1,5 ml) were added powdered sodium azide (28,60 g, 440 mmol). The resulting mixture was heated at 100\' C external temperature and maintained at this temperature for another 1/2 hour. Then the reaction mixture was cooled, poured onto iced water and extracted with ethyl acetate 3 times. The combined extracts were washed with saturated sodium chloride solution, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated in vacuum to yield a residue which is purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel. Elution with hexane- ethylacetate 1:1 gave the title compound in 50% yield (1550 mg) .

C ₂₀ H ₂₅ NO ₂ calcd : C 77.13 H 8.09 N 4,50 found : C 77.05 H 8.01 N 4,35 MS (m/z) 311. IR (KBr) cm ^"1 : 3440 (NH), 3220 (NH ) , 1730 (CO),

1625 (CO, C=C) By proceeding analogously the following compounds can be prepared:

17β-acetoxy-3-oxo-l \'H-androst-4-eno[4 , 5-b]pyrrole ; and 17β-hydroxy-3-oxo-l Η-androst-4-eno[4 , 5-b]pyrrole .

Exampl e 2

3, 17-dioxo-l \'H-androsta-1 ,4-dieno[4, 5-b]pyrrole

A solution of 3 , 17-dioxo-l \'H-androst-4-eno[ 4, 5-b] pyrrole (3.11g, 10 mmol) and benzene seleninic anhydride (3,60 g, 10 mmol ) in chlorobenzene ( 300 ml ) was heated for 1 hour at 90-100 ^* C.

Then the solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue chromatographed on silica gel using hexane/ethylacetate 1:1 as eluant to give pure title compound in about 55% yield (1700 mg ) .

CJ _Q HJJNOJ calcd : C 77.69 H 7.49 N 4.53 found : C 77.55 H 7.35 N 4.45 MS (m/z): 309. IR. cm ^" "(KBr) : 3430, 3210 (NH ) , 1735 (17-keto), 1630 (3-keto), 1605 ( C=C ) .

By proceedi ng analogous ly the f ol low ing compounds can be prepared :

17β-acetoxy-3-oxo-l \' H-androsta-l , 4-dieno [ 4 , 5-b] pyrrole ; and 17β-hydroxy-3-oxo-l \' H-androsta-1 , 4-dieno[ 4 , 5-b]pyrrole .

Example 3

17β-hydroxy-3-oxo-l \'H-androst-4-eno[4 , 5-b]pyrrole

To a stirred solution of 3 , 17-dioxo-l \'H-androst-4- enol 4 , 5-b] pyrrole (3,llg, 10 mmol) in methanol (200 ml) was added sodium borohydride (570 m , 15 mmol) over a period of 20 min at 0\'C and stirring was continued for 1 hour at 0 ^* C. After addition of few drops of acetic acid, the mixture was concentrated under vacuum, diluted with water and then extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases were washed with saline solution, dried over sodium sulfate and then evaporated in vacuum. The residue was submitted to column chromatography on silica gel. Gradient elution with hexane/ethylacetate mixtures afforded pure title compound (1880 mg, 60% yield). C ₂₀ H ₂₇ N\'O ₂ calcd : C 76.64 H 8.68 N 4.47 found : C 76.55 H 8.54 N 4.35 MS (m/z) 313 IR cm ^"1 (KBr): 3400-3200 (NH, OH), 1630 (CO, C=C)

According to the above described procedure and starting from the appropriate compound of formula (I) respectively one can prepare the following products : 17β-hydroxy-3-oxo-l\'H-androsta-l,4-dieno[4,5-b]pyrrole; 17β-hydroxy-3-oxo-l\'H-androsta- ,6-dieno[4,5-b]pyrroline; and 17β-hydroxy-3-oxo-l\'H-androsta-l,4,6-trieno[ ,5-b]pyrroline.

Example 4

17β-acetoxy-3-oxo-l Η-androst-4-enoI 4,5-b] pyrrole

To a cooled solution of 17β-hydroxy-3-oxo-l \'H-androst-4- eno[4 ,5-b]pyrrole (3,13g, 10 mmol) in dry pyridine (5 ml ) was added acetic anhydride (4,084g, 40 mmol) and the mixture maintained at 0-5 ^* C overnight. The solvent was removed in vacuum, the residue dissolved in dichloro¬ methane, the organic layer washed with water and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude product was crystallized from benzene to yield pure title compound in 80% yield (2.84 g).

C. ₂ H _2j NO _j calcd : C 74.33 H 8.22 N 3.94 found : C 74.25 H 8.15 N 3.85 MS (m/z) 355. IR cm ^"1 (KBr): 3420, 3200 ( H) , 1740 (OCOCH,), 1630 (CO,

C=C).

By proceeding analogously the following compounds can be prepared :

17β-acetoxy-3-oxo-l \'H-androεta-4 , 6-dieno[ 4 , 5-b] pyrrolinejand 17β-acetoxy-3-oxo-l \'H-androεta-l ,4 ,6-trienoI 4 , 5-b] pyrroline.

Example 5

N-acetyl-3-oxo-l \'H-androst-4-eno[ 4, 5-b] pyrrole

A mixture of 3 , 17-dioxo-l Η-androst-4-eno[ 4 , 5-b] pyrrole (3.11g, 10 mmol), potasεium acetate (0,980g, 10 mmol) and acetic anhydride (10 ml) was heated at reflux temperature for 16 hours and then concentrated under vacuum. This extract was filtered and concentrated on a steam bath as hexane was added. When the first crystals appeared, the mixture was cooled and after a while the crystals were filtered. Recrystallization from acetone-hexane gave pure title compound in 70% yield (2.47 g) C ₂₂ H ₂₅ N0 ₃ calcd : C 74.76 H 7.70 N 3.96 found : C 74.55 H 7.65 N 3.85 MS (m/z) 353. IR cm ^"1 (KBr): 1740 (CO, 1730 (-C0N <), 1625 (CO, C=C).

According to the above described procedure and starting from the appropriate compound of formula (I) one can prepare the following product: N-acetyl-3-oxo-l Η-androsta-1 ,4-dienό[ 4,5-b] pyrrole.

Example 6

3,17-dioxo-l \'H-androsta-1 ,4-dieno[4, 5-b]pyrrole

A solution of 4-azido-6-methylenandrosta-l ,4-diene-3 , 17- dione (3.374 g, 10 mmol) in di ethylsulfoxide (150 ml) was heated for 2 h at about 90\'C under nitrogen. The reaction mixture was cooled, the raw product precipitated by water addition and then purified by flash chromatography on silica gel using hexane/ethyl acetate 1:1 as eluant. Thus pure title compound was obtained in about 30% yield.

CJ _Q HJJNOJ calcd : C 77.69 H 7.49 N 4.53 found : C 77.61 H 7.41 N 4.35 MS m/z 309 IR cm ^"1 (KBr): 3430, 3210 (NH ) , 1735 (17-keto), 1630 (3-keto), 1605 (C=C).

Example 7

3,17-dioxo-l \'H-androsta-1 ,4,6-trieno[4, 5-b]pyrroline

A solution of 4-acetamino-6-bromo-6-bromomethylandrosta- 1 ,4-diene-3 , 17-dione (513,3 mg , 1 mmol) in a mixture of ethanol (20 ml) and 36% hydrochloric acid (2 ml) was heated for 3 h at reflux. The solution was made alkaline with 40% NaOH, concentrated under vacuum and then extracted 2 x with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was dried (Na ₂ S0.), evaporated to dryness under vacuum and the residue chromatographed on silica gel. Gradient elution with hexane/ethyl acetate mixture afforded pure title compound in about 35% yield.

C ₂₀ H ₂₃ NO ₂ calcd : C 77.64 H 7.49 N 4.53 found : C 77.49 H 7.40 N 4.35 MS (m/z) 309

IR cm ^"1 (KBr): 3400, 3200 (NH), 1735 (17-keto), 1640 (3-Keto), 1600 (C=C)

By proceeding analogously the following compounds can be prepared: 17β-acetoxy-3-oxo-l\'H-androsta-l,4,6-trieno[4,5-b]pyrrolin e; 17β-hydroxy-3-oxo-l\'H-androsta-l,4,6-trieno[4,5-b]pyrrolin e; 3,17-dioxo-l\'H-androsta-4,6-dieno[4,5-b]pyrroline; 17β-acetoxy-3-oxo-l\'H-androst-4,6-dieno[ 4, 5-b] pyrrol ine; and 17β-hydroxy-3-oxo- Η-androst-4,6-dieno[4 ,5-b] pyrrol ine.

Exampl e 8

4 , 5-epoxy-6-methylenandrosta-3 , 17-dione

A mixture of sodium acetate (1 g), anhydrous chloroform (30 ml), formaldehyde diethyl acetal (30 ml, 0.24 mol), phoεphoryl chloride (3.8 ml, 0.04 mol), and androst-4- ene-3 , 17-dione (0.78 g, 2.7 mmol) was stirred at reflux for about 7 hours, i.e. until the starting material had disappeared. The suspension was allowed to cool and under vigorous stirring a saturated sodium carbonate solution was added dropwise until the pH of the aqueous layer became alkaline. The organic layer was separated, neutralized with water washings, and dried with sodium sulfate. After concentration under reduced pressure the oily residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel using hexane/ethylacetate as eluant. Thus almost pure 6- methylenandrost-4-ene-3 , 17-dione was obtained in 60% yield (0.843 g).

6-methylenandrost-ene-3 , 17-dione (0.843 g, 2.8 mmol) was dissolved in methanol (35 ml) and the solution cooled to O\'C. Thereupon ice cold 36% H _j 0 ₂ ( 3 ml ) and 2% NaOH (1.5 ml) was added. The mixture was stirred for 1 h, allowed to stand at 5"C for 20 h and then poured into 250 ml of ice water with vigorous stirring. The product was filtered, washed with water and dried to give almost pure 4 , 5-epoxy-6-methylenandrosta-3.17-dione ( α/β-mixture ) in

about 89% yield.

^C 20 ^H 2G°3 calcd C 76.40 H 8.34 found C 76.35 H 8.25

MS (m/z) 314

IR cm ^"1 (KBr): 3020 ( =CH ₂ ) , 1740 (17-keto), 1715 (3-keto), 1260 (epoxy)

Example 9

4-azido-6-methylenandrosta-l ,4-diene-3,17-dione

To a vigorously stirred mixture of 6-methylenandrosta- 1 ,4-diene-3 , 17-dione (2.964 g, 10 mmol) in anhydrous ether (100 ml) cooled to -5"C was added dropwise in about

20 min a 1M bromine solution in acetic acid (10 ml, 10 mmol ) . The bromination was terminated after £ h further stirring at -5 ^* C (TLC monitoring). Then ethanol was added, the solution concentrated under vacuum and the product precipitated by addition of water. The precipitate was submitted to flash chromatography on silica gel (hexane/ethyl acetate 7:3) to give almost pure

6β-bromo-6α-bromomethylandrosta-l ,4-diene-3 , 17-dione in 57% yield (2.6 g).

To a solution of 6β-bromo-6α-bromomethylandrosta-l ,4- diene-3 , 17-dione (2.600 g, 5.7 mmol) in dimethylformamide (50 ml) was added lithium carbonate (0.422 g, 5.7 mmol).

Then a solution of sodium azide (0.371 g, 5.7 mmol) in water (6 ml) was added dropwise in about h. The reaction mixture was stirred for further 2 h. During this operation the temperature raised to about 35\'C and then fell to room temperature. Finally water was added to precipitate almost pure 4-azido-6-methylenandrosta-l ,4- diene-3, 17-dione. Yield about 83% (1.59 g).

^C 20 ^H 23 ^N 3°2 ^{c a l c d} C 71.19 H 6.87 N 12.45 found: C 71.05 H 6.75 N 12.35 MS (m/z) 337

Example 10

4-acetamino-6-bromo-6-bromomethylandrosta-l,4-diene-3,17- dione

To a stirred solution of 4-azido-6-methylenandrosta-l , 4- diene-3 , 17-dione (3.374 g, 10 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (25 ml) was added portionwise triphenylphosphine (2.623 g, 10 mmol). During the reaction, which lasted about 2.5 h, the temperature raised to about 35"C and there was nitrogen evolution. Then dioxane (100 ml) and water (10 ml) was added and the mixture was refluxed for 10 h. Finally the mixture was poured onto water and the raw product extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was extracted 4 x with 2 N hydrochloric acid, the aqueous phase was separated and the product precipitated by

alkalinization with sodium hydroxide solution. Thus almost pure 4-amino-6-methylen-androsta-l , 4-diene-3 , 17- dione was obtained in about 30% yield (0.934 g). To a cooled solution of 4-amino-6-methylenandrosta-l , 4- diene-3 , 17-dione (0.934, 3 mmol) in dry pyridine (2 ml) was added acetic anhydride (1.224 g, 12 mmol) and the mixture maintained at 0-5\'C overnight.

The solvent was removed in vacuum, the residue dissolved in dichloromethane, the organic layer washed with water and then evaporated under reduced presεure. The crude product was crystallized from benzene to yield almost pure 4-acetamino-6-methylenandrosta-l ,4-diene-3 , 17-dione in about 80% yield (0.847 g). To a stirred mixture of 4-acetamino-6-methylenandrosta- 1 ,4-diene-3 , 17-dione (0.847 g, 2.4 mmol) in anhydrous ether (25 ml) cooled to about -5\'C was added dropwiεe in about 15 min 1M bromine solution in acetic acid (2.4 ml, 2.4 mmol). The mixture was stirred for further § h at -5"C. Then ethanol was added, the solution concentrated under vacuum and the product precipitated by addition of water. The precipitate was εubmitted to flaεh chromatography on silica gel with hexane/ethyl acetate 7:3 to give almost pure 4-acetamino-6-bromo-6-bromo- methylandroεta-1 , 4-diene-3 , 17-dione in about 50% yield.

C ₂₂ H ₂ ,Br ₂ N0 ₃ calcd: C 51.48 H 5.30 Br 31.14 N 2.73 found: C 51.35 H 5.21 Br 30.90 N 2.65 MS m/z 513

Example 11 Tabletε each weighing 0.150 g and containing 25 mg of the active substance, were manufactured as follows:

Composition (for 10,000 tablets):

3 , 17-dioxo-l \'H-androst-4-eno[ 4 , 5-b] pyrrole 250 g

Lactoεe 800 g Corn starch 415 g

Talc powder 30 g

Magnesium stearate 5 g

The 3 , 17-dioxo-l \'H-androst-4-enol 4 , 5-b] pyrrole, the lactoεe and half the corn εtarch were mixed; the mixture waε then forced through a sieve of 0.5 mm mesh size. Corn εtarch (10 g) waε εuspended in warm water (90 ml) and the resulting paste was used to granulate the powder. The granulate was dried, comminuted on a sieve of 1.4 mm mesh size, then the remaining quantity of starch, talc and magnesium stearate was added, carefully mixed and processed into tablets.

Example 1 2

Capsules, each dosed at 0.200 g and containing 20 mg of the active substance were prepared.

Composition for 500 capsules: 3 ,17-dioxo-l \'H-androsta-1 ,4-dieno| 4 ,5-b] pyrrole 10 g Lactoεe 80 g

Corn εtarch 5 g

Magneεium εtearate 5 g

Thiε formulation waε encapεulated in two-piece hard gelating capεuleε and doεed at 0.200 g for each capεule.