TiCl catalyzed cleavage of (25R)-22-oxo-23-spiroketals. Synthesis of sapogenins with furostanol and pyranone E rings on the side chain.

The regioselective opening of the F ring of 22-oxo-23-spiroketals 7a-d using TiCl in acetic anhydride yielded the novel furostanols 11a-d along with cholestanic derivatives 8a-d with pyranone E ring. The structures of the new derivatives thus obtained were established using one- (DEPT) and two-dimensional H, C NMR experiments (COSY, HSQC, HMBC, NOESY). The 22α-hydroxyl orientation in compounds 11a-d was proposed by comparison of the C chemical shifts with those of other aglycone members of this family, and confirmed by combined NOESY and X-ray diffraction analysis of compound 11a.