Joel E. Huber - Kalamazoo MI Jeffrey A. Fleming - Augusta MI
Assignee:
The Upjohn Company - Kalamazoo MI
International Classification:
C07J 100
US Classification:
552621
Abstract:
The present invention involves improved processes for the dehalogenation of 9. alpha. -halosteroids (I) ##STR1## to produce the corresponding 11. beta. -hydroxy steroids (II) ##STR2## which are known to be useful as pharmaceutical, where the improvements comprise (1) adding the 9. alpha. -halo steroid (I) to the chromium and (2) using catalytic amounts of chromium in the presence of a means of converting chromium (II) to chromium (III).