The titled compounds were synthesized from the corresponding 10-propargyl-des-A-9 (10)-en-5-one derivatives through the 3, 5-seco-4-nor-dioxo steroids. The preparation of des-A-19-norpregn-9 (10)-ene-5, 20-dione involving the condensation of phenyl methyl sulfone or dimethyl sulfone with methyl 1β-methoxycarbonyl-5, 5-ethylenedioxy-7amethyl-3aα, 7aβ-hexahydroindan-4x-yl propionate is also described.
