Title: Diosgenin
CAS Registry Number: 512-04-9
CAS Name: (3b,25
R)-Spirost-5-en-3-ol
Synonyms: nitogenin
Molecular Formula: C27H42O3
Molecular Weight: 414.62
Percent Composition: C 78.21%, H 10.21%, O 11.58%
Literature References: Aglycone of saponin dioscin. From
Dioscorea tokoro Makino,
Dioscoreaceae: Tsukamoto,
J. Pharm. Soc. Jpn. 56, 135 (1936); from rhizomes of
Trillium erectum L.,
Liliaceae and
D. villosa L.,
Dioscoreaceae: Marker
et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 62, 2542 (1940). Plant sources for diosgenin: Marker
et al., ibid. 65, 1199 (1943); Wall
et al., J. Am. Pharm. Assoc. Sci. Ed. 46, 653 (1957). Identity with nitogenin: Marker
et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 65, 1248 (1943). Structure: Marker
et al., ibid. 62, 2525 (1940). Configuration at C25: James,
J. Chem. Soc. 1955, 637. Synthesis: Mazur
et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 82, 5889 (1960); Kessar
et al., Tetrahedron Lett. 1966, 4319. Obtained commercially from
Dioscorea composita Hemsl. and
D. terpinapensis Uline (see under Barbasco). Isoln from barbasco varieties: Julian,
US 3019220 (1962 to Julian Labs.).
Properties: Crystals from acetone, mp 204-207°. [a]D25 -129° (c = 1.4 in CHCl3). Sol in the usual organic solvents, in acetic acid.
Melting point: mp 204-207°
Optical Rotation: [a]D25 -129° (c = 1.4 in CHCl3)
Derivative Type: Acetate
Molecular Formula: C29H44O4
Molecular Weight: 456.66
Percent Composition: C 76.27%, H 9.71%, O 14.01%
Properties: Crystals from acetic acid, mp 198°. [a]D20 -119° (pyridine).
Melting point: mp 198°
Optical Rotation: [a]D20 -119° (pyridine)
Use: Can be converted to pregnenolone and progesterone: Marker
et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 69, 2167 (1947).
