First Total Synthesis of an Exceptionally Potent Antitumor Saponin, OSW-1

J Org Chem. 1999 Jan 8;64(1):202-208. doi: 10.1021/jo981685c.

Abstract

OSW-1 (1), an acylated disaccharide cholestane saponin from Ornithogalum saudersiae with exceptionally potent antitumor activity, was first synthesized from commercially available dehydroisoandrosterone, L-arabinose, and D-xylose in total 27 steps with the longest linear sequence of 14 steps and in 6% yield.