(6S,8S,9R,10S,11S,13S,14S,16R,17R)-6,9-difluoro-11,17-dihydroxy-17-(2-hydroxyacetyl)-10,13,16-trimethyl-6,7,8,11,12,14,15,16-octahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-one

Conditions: temp:0.00; pressure:0.00; stir:; See reaction.notes.procedure_details.

Procedure: 6α-Fluoro-dexamethasone (2 g) dissolved in methanol (100 ml) was treated with stirring overnight at room temperature with 1.5 g periodic acid in water (25 ml). The mixture was evaporated to small bulk in a rotary evaporator at 50° C. and refrigerated for 3 hours. The acid was collected by filtration and washed 3 times with small volumes of water. was treated The mixture was evaporated to small bulk in a rotary evaporator at 50° C. The acid was collected by filtration washed 3 times with small volumes of water

Conditions: temp:0.00; pressure:0.00; stir:; See reaction.notes.procedure_details.

Procedure: 6α-Fluoro-dexamethasone (2 g) dissolved in methanol (100 ml) was treated with stirring overnight at room temperature with 1.5 g periodic acid in water (25 ml). The mixture was evaporated to small bulk in a rotary evaporator at 50° C. and refrigerated for 3 hours. The acid was collected by filtration and washed 3 times with small volumes of water. was treated The mixture was evaporated to small bulk in a rotary evaporator at 50° C. The acid was collected by filtration washed 3 times with small volumes of water

Conditions: temp:0.00; pressure:0.00; stir:; See reaction.notes.procedure_details.

Procedure: 6α-Fluoro-dexamethasone (2 g) dissolved in methanol (100 ml) was treated with stirring overnight at room temperature with 1.5 g periodic acid in water (25 ml). The mixture was evaporated to small bulk in a rotary evaporator at 50° C. and refrigerated for 3 hours. The acid was collected by filtration and washed 3 times with small volumes of water. was treated The mixture was evaporated to small bulk in a rotary evaporator at 50° C. The acid was collected by filtration washed 3 times with small volumes of water

Conditions: temp:0.00; pressure:0.00; stir:; See reaction.notes.procedure_details.

Procedure: A process according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the flumethasone 21-acetate is reacted with methanolic potassium hydroxide in the absence of an oxidization agent to yield flumethasone.

Conditions: temp:0.00; pressure:0.00; stir:; See reaction.notes.procedure_details.

Procedure: 6α-Fluoro-dexamethasone (2 g) dissolved in methanol (100 ml) was treated with stirring overnight at room temperature with 1.5 g periodic acid in water (25 ml). The mixture was evaporated to small bulk in a rotary evaporator at 50° C. and refrigerated for 3 hours. The acid was collected by filtration and washed 3 times with small volumes of water. was treated The mixture was evaporated to small bulk in a rotary evaporator at 50° C. The acid was collected by filtration washed 3 times with small volumes of water