Synthesis of a group of diosgenyl saponins with combined use of glycosyl trichloroacetimidate and thioglycoside donors

With the combined use of glycosyl trichloroacetimidates and thioglycosides, a group of natural diosgenyl saponins (1-6) are efficiently synthesized, in either a stepwise or a 'one-pot' manner. The trichloroacetimidate is employed as an efficient temporary hydroxy protecting group in glycosylation with the glycosyl trichloroacetimidate. The intermolecular alkylthio-group transfer is demonstrated to be a common side-reaction during glycosylation with thioglycosides.