{HEAD ~ A process} for the production of 6,17α dimethylpregna 4,6 diene 3,20 dione which comprises isolating 3β,5α, {TAIL ~ 6β} trihydroxy 6α,17α dimethylpregnan 20 one monomethanolate from the solution of a Grignard reaction product of 3β,5α dihydroxy 17α methyl 17β carbomethoxyandrostane 6 one and a methylmagnesium halide by solvent displacement with methanol; oxidizing the monomethanolate to the 3,20 dione; dehydrating the said 3,20 dione to the 4 ene 3,20 dione; dehydrating the 4 ene 3,20 dione; removing a 6 methylene 4 ene 3,20 dione byproduct and isolating the desired product 
{ HEAD ~ A process } for the production of 6,17α dimethylpregna 4,6 diene 3,20 dione which comprises isolating 3β,5α , { TAIL ~ 6β } trihydroxy 6α,17α dimethylpregnan 20 one monomethanolate from the solution of a Grignard reaction product of 3β,5α dihydroxy 17α methyl 17β carbomethoxyandrostane 6 one and a methylmagnesium halide by solvent displacement with methanol ; oxidizing the monomethanolate to the 3,20 dione ; dehydrating the said 3,20 dione to the 4 ene 3,20 dione ; dehydrating the 4 ene 3,20 dione ; removing a 6 methylene 4 ene 3,20 dione byproduct and isolating the desired product
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