Method of making 15alpha hydroxy desoxycorticosterone and intermediates employed therefor

Claim 1

A PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A COMPOUND SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF 15A-HYDROXY-DESOXYCORTICOSTERONE AND HYDROCARBON CARBOXYLIC ESTERS OF LESS THAN 10 CARBON ATOMS THEREOF COMPRISING TREATING A COMPOUND SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF $4-PREGNEN14,21-DIOL-3,20-DIONE AND HYDROCARBON CARBOXYLIC ESTERS OF LESS THAN 10 CARBO N ATOMS THEREOF WITH A DEHYDRATING AGENT TO FORM A COMPOUND SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF $4,14-PREGNADIEN-21-OL-3,20-DIONE AND HYDROCARBON CARBOXYLIC ESTERS OF LESS THAN 10 CARBON ATOMS THEREOF, TREATING THE LAST MENTIONED COMPOUND WITH AN AROMATIC PERACID TO FORM THE CORRESPONDING 14,15-EPOXIDE, REARRANGING THE EPOXIDE IN THE PRESENCE OF A LEWIS ACID TO FORM A COMPOUND SELECTED FROM THE CLASS CONSISTING OF $4-PREGNEN-21-OL-3,15,20-TRIONE AND HYDORCARBON CARBOXYLIC ESTERS OF LESS THAN 10 CARBON ATOMS THEREOF, REDUCING THE LAST MENTIONED COMPOUND WITH SODIUM BOROHYDRIDE TO FORM THE CORRESPONDING 3,15,21-TRILHYDROXY COMPOUND AND THEREAFTER OXIDIZING THE TRIHYDROXY COMPOUND WITH MANAGNESE DIOXIDE TO SELECTIVELY OXIDIZE THE 3-HYDROXY GROUP TO A 3-KETO GROUP.