PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ESTETROL INTERMEDIATES

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for preparing a compound of formula (II), a stereoisomer, a salt, a hydrate, or a solvate thereof, comprising the step of sulfinilating a compound of formula (IV) to produce said compound of formula (II). In said formulas, R1 is selected from C1-6 alkyl, C6-10 aryl, among others; R2 is C6-10 aryl, or heteroaryl; wherein each C6-10 aryl or heteroaryl group may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents, each independently selected from the group consisting of halo, C1-6 alkyl, among others.This sulfinilation step is carried out in the presence of a solvent selected from the group comprising benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, chlorobenzene, bromobenzene, fluorobenzene, anisole, nitrobenzene, tetralin, dichlorobenzene, trimethylbenzene, ethyl acetate, propyl acetate, butyl acetate, propanol, butanol, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, methyl tert-butyl ether, cyclopentyl methyl ether, dichloromethane, tetrachloromethane, pentane, hexane, heptane, cyclohexane, decalin and mixtures thereof.