The first synthetic route to furostan saponins

26-O-beta -D-Glucopyranosyl-22-methoxy-25(R)-furost-5-en-3 beta -ol 3-O-beta -D-glucopyranoside is synthesized from diosgenin in 11 steps and 26% overall yield. The present synthetic route represents the first one to furostan saponins. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.