Abstract:
Cardiotonically active 19-alkylene-14 Beta -hydroxycardenolides of the formula
WHEREIN R1 taken alone is -CH, -CO2R5, -CON(R6)2, -CH(OR6)2, C6H5, -CH CH2, or -SCH3, or, taken together with an -OH group in the R3-position, forms a lactone ring; R2 is -H, -CH3, -F, -Cl, Br, or -I; R3 is 5 Alpha -H, 5 Beta -H, or 5 Beta -OH; R4 is -OH, substituted or unsubstituted 3-pyranyl ether, or a 5-or 6membered substituted or unsubstituted cyclic glycoside; R5 is -H, -CH3, -C2H5, -C3H7, -C4H9, -C5H11, or -CH2-C6H5; and R6 is -CH3 or -C2H5, or, when -CH(OR6)2 is a cyclic acetal, the R6''s together are -CH2CH2- or -CH2C(CH3)2CH2-. A process for preparing these compounds from the corresponding 19-oxo-14 Beta hydroxy cardenolides.