Synthesis of primulagenin A and of echinocystic acid
Abstract
Photolysis of 3β-acetoxyolean-12-en-28-amide with lead tetra-acetate and iodine gave, albeit in low yield, the corresponding 28,15β-lactone. Further transformations of the latter then afforded primulagenin A (olean-12-ene-3β,16α,28-triol), which can be converted into echinocystic acid (3β,16α-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid).