Synthesis and biological activity of 17-esters of 6-dehydro-16-methylene-17 -hydroxyprogesterones.

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jm00277a006

Synthesis and biological activity of 17-esters of 6-dehydro-16-methylene-17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone are presented. A systematic study of the influence of the alteration of halogen at 6 and the acyl group at 17 on the progestational and antiandrogenic activities of the resulting structures is described. A convenient general method for synthesis of all of the members of the generic family from the precursors in common is described. It is believed that 6-chloro-16-methylene-17 alpha-hydroxy-4,6-pregnadiene 17-acetate, because of its structural similarity to chlormadinone acetate and its high progestational potency, will perform as a contraceptive at perhaps a lower dose than that of chlormadinone acetate.