A convergent total synthesis of ouabagenin.

A convergent total synthesis of ouabagenin, an aglycon of cardenolide glycoside ouabain, was achieved by assembly of the AB-ring, D-ring and butenolide moieties. The multiply oxygenated -decalin structure of the AB-ring was constructed from ()-perillaldehyde through the Diels-Alder reaction and sequential oxidations. The intermolecular acetal formation of the AB-ring and D-ring fragments, and combination of the intramolecular radical and aldol reactions, assembled the requisite steroidal skeleton in a stereoselective fashion. Finally, stereoselective installation of the C17-butenolide the Stille coupling and hydrogenation led to ouabagenin.