A new strategy for synthesizing the steroids with side chains from steroidal sapogenins: synthesis of the aglycone of OSW-1 by using the intact skeleton of diosgenin

The protected aglycone of saponin OSW-1, a new antitumor natural product, was synthesized in 13 linear steps in 9.5% overall yield by utilizing the intact skeleton of diosgenin. This strategy demonstrated a higher efficiency than the routine synthesis of steroids with side chains.