Preparation of an analogue of orbicuside A,an unusual cardiac glycoside

A steroid containing a multi-linked glycoside, analogous to the bufadienolide orbicuside A, has been prepared. The key steps were (i) the preparation of a 2α-allyloxycarbonyloxy-3β-hydroxy steroid, (ii) a Ferrier reaction between the steroid and a rhamnal derivative, (iii) removal of protecting group and oxidation of the 2-hydroxy group, (iv) dihydroxylation of the pseudoglycal from the sterically more hindered side and finally (v) ring closure by acetal formation under acidic conditions.