6 alpha-Fluor-16-beta-methyl-4-pregnene und -1,4-pregnadiene und Verfahren zu ihrer Herstellung

The invention comprises compounds having the formula wherein X is chlorine, fluorine or hydrogen and Y is b -hydroxymethylene or carbonyl and processes for the preparation thereof by treating a compound having the formula wherein the dotted line represents a single or double bond linkage and R is an aryl or alkyl sulphonyl radical, with sodium iodide in acetone solution and subjecting the 21-iodo compound so produced to reduction. The reduction may be effected with sodium thiosulphate, sodium bisulphite, or potassium bisulphite in an aqueous organic solvent mixture. Illustrative products of the invention are 6a -fluoro-11b ,17a -dihydroxy-16b - methyl - 1, 4 - pregnadiene - 3, 20 - dione, 6a - fluoro - 11b , 17a - dihydroxy - 16b - methyl - 4-pregnene-3,20-dione and the corresponding 9a -fluoro compounds.ALSO:Anti-inflammatory compositions comprise a compound having the formula wherein X is hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine, Y is b -hydroxymethylene or carbonyl and the dotted line represents a single or double bond linkage, and a pharmaceutical diluent. They are employed as ointments, tablets and suspensions, with or without coacting antibiotics e.g. penicillins, neomycin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol and novobiocin.