VERFAHREN ZUR HERSTELLUNG VON NEUEN ACETYLTHIO- UND/ODER MERKAPTODERIVATEN

Pharmaceutically active steroids of the formula (I) wherein X1 and X2 each is hydrogen, mercapto or acetylthio and X3 and X4 each is hydrogen or acetylthio or X3 and X4 form together a valence bond, with the proviso that at least one of X1 to X4 is selected from the group consisting of mercapto and acetylthio. The compounds are prepared as follows: a compound of the formula (III) wherein Z1 is hydrogen and Z2 is hydrogen or acetylthio or Z1 and Z2 form together a valence bond, is brominated, the thus-obtained compound of the formula WHEREIN Y1 and Y2 each is hydrogen or bromine, Y3 is bromine, Y4 is hydrogen or acetylthio or Y3 and Y4 form together a valence bond, is reacted with an alkali methal thioacetate or with an alkali metal hydrosulphide. Thioacetic acid can be coupled onto the obtained product, and/or optionally the obtained thioacetyl compound can be subjected to alcoholysis.