Practical synthesis of epocholeone, a plant growth-promoting steroid with long-lasting activity

Abstract

The steroidal plant growth-promoting lactone epocholeone has attracted much attention due to its great potential applications in agriculture. Herein, we report a chromatography–free synthesis of the epocholeone using a potassium osmate-catalyzed asymmetric dihydroxylation as the key reaction. Compared to the existing literature routes, the current protocol features low–toxicity reagents, simple operations and mild conditions. We expect this practical synthesis offers a preferred means to produce epocholeone in manufacturing.