Chemistry Letters, Vol.37, No.7, 780-781, 2008
An improved synthesis of methyl protodioscin: Tautomerization and direct access to the 3-O-substituted kryptogenin
The acid-catalyzed tautomerization of 3-O-substituted kryptogenin 2 was studied, and the effects of acids such as silica gel, TMSOTf, acetic acid, and CDCl3, are discussed. Additionally, a Zn/KI/HOAc reduction based on this tautomerization was adopted, which afforded 2 directly, and provided a facile procedure for the synthesis of methyl protodioscin and other furostanol saponins in a mild way.