11,21-Bisphenyl-19-norpregnane derivatives are selective antiglucocorticoids

An efficient eight-step synthesis of 11,21-bisphenyl-19-norpregnane derivatives (10) starting from 19-norandrosta-4,9-diene-3,17-dione (5) is described. It is shown that specific combinations of polar substitutions on the 11- and the 21-phenylring in compounds (10) lead to selective antiglucocorticoids with relative high binding to the glucocorticoid receptor and almost negligible binding to the progesterone receptor.