Sankyo Company, Limited

Hamako Katano

Kiyoshi Sakai

Takashi Yusa

Osamu Oda

Prostanoic acid derivatives having the formula ##SPC1## Wherein A represents an alkylene group having from 4 to 8 carbon atoms, R.sup.1 represents an alkyl group having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 represents hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having from one to 6 carbon atoms and R.sup.3 represents hydrogen atom or an alkoxycarbonyl group having from one to 6 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and also relates to a process for the preparation thereof. The compounds are useful as oxytocic agents and may be prepared by reducing the compound having the formula ##SPC2## Wherein A, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are the same as above and Z represents a carbonyl-protecting group with a metal hydride complex in the presence or absence of an inert organic solvent to give a compound having the formula ##SPC3## Wherein A, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and Z are the same as above and removing the carbonyl-protecting group of the latter compound.

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Hamako Katano