A process for the production of 6,17.alpha.-dimethylpregna-4,6-diene-3,20-dione which comprises isolating 3.beta.,5.alpha., 6.beta.-trihydroxy- 6.alpha.,17.alpha.- dimethylpregnan-20-one monomethanolate from the solution of a Grignard reaction product of 3.beta.,5.alpha.-dihydroxy -17.alpha.-methyl-17.beta.-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.