PROCESS FOR PREPARING DERIVATIVES OF 9-CHLOROPROSTANE OR THEIR SALTS

Compounds of the formula wherein the 9-chlorine atom can be in the alpha - or beta -position, R1 is OR2, or NHR3 wherein R3 is H or the acyl group of a C1-15 hydrocarbon carboxylic or sulfonic acid; A is -CH2-CH2- or cis-CH=CH-, B is -CH2-CH2-,trans-CH=CH-, or -C 3BOND C-, wherein the OH-group in each case can be in the alpha - or beta -position, and can be etherified or esterified by tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, alpha -ethoxyethyl, trimethylsilyl dimethyl, tert-butylsilyl, tribenzylsilyl, acetyl, propionyl, butyryl or benzoyl; D and E together represent a direct bond or D is a straight-chain or branched alkylene group of 1-10 carbon atoms, optionally substituted by fluorine, and E is oxygen or sulfur or a direct bond, and R4 is hydroxy or hydroxy etherified or esterified as defined for W above; R5 is a C1-10 hydrocarbon aliphatic group; a C1-10 hydrocarbon, aliphatic group substituted by aryl, a substituted aryl as defined for R2 above, or halogen; or cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl or aromatic heterocyclic, all as defined for R2 above; or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof with a base when R1 is OH, have valuable pharmacological properties.