Working in the Twenty-First Century

There are provided novel 19,8-lactone and lactol steroids derivatives having the formula (I) wherein A and B represent 14- or 15-carbon atoms, respectively, which are either linked by a double bond, or which carry an alpha - or beta -oxido or a 14 alpha - or beta -hydroxy group in which case B is a methylene group; Y is =O; 3 alpha or 3 beta -OH;2H;3H; O-alkyl; or O-acyl; H; R' is OH, =O or acetoxy, the 5-hydrogen atom is either in the alpha or beta -position; there is an optional double bond in position 4(5); 5(6) and 6(7); and R is selected from the group consisting of O-acyl; +TR AND CN, wherein alkyl is tetrahydropyranyl, lower alkyl, preferably methyl or ethyl, or a substituted methyl wherein the substituent is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, halogen, preferably chlorine and bromine, methoxy, CH2=CH and HC 3BOND C; acyl represents a group selected from those consisting of acetate, trilower-alkyl acetates wherein the lower alkyl group is preferably methyl or ethyl, monohalo acetates and trihalo acetates, preferably wherein the halogen is chlorine and bromine. Several processes for preparing such novel compounds are disclosed, which compounds are useful as intermediates in the preparation of further compounds.