Patent ID: 7718792
Filing Date: 2010-05-18
Classification: C07J

Abstract:
1. A method of stereospecifically preparing a 3β-hydroxy-5β-H steroidal sapogenin of the formula wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8 and R 9 are, independently of each other, H, C 1-4 alkyl, OH, or OR (where R═C 6-12 aryl or C 1-4 alkyl), or R 5 and R 6 together may represent a ═O (carbonyl) or protected carbonyl group, the stereochemistry at carbon centre 3 can be either R or S, and R 10 represents β —OH, which comprises reducing a 3-keto-5β-H steroidal sapogenin using a reducing agent comprising a hindered organoborane.