Abstract: The invention provides smilagenin in novel amorphous, crystalline, hydrated and solvated forms, and the use thereof in manufacturing pharmaceutical or edible grade smilagenin and its derivatives.

Abstract: A method to stereospecifically prepare a steroidal sapogenin or a derivative thereof by reducing a 3-keto,5?-H steroidal sapogenin with a hindered organoborane or an organo-aluminium hydride. A 3?-hydroxy,5?-H steroidal sapogenin or derivative thereof may be prepared by reducing the 3-keto,5?-H steroidal sapogenin using as reducing agent a relatively highly hindered organoborane reagent or by SN 2 inversion of a 3?-hydroxy,5?-H steroidal sapogenin or derivative thereof. The organo-aluminium hydride may be used to prepare a 3?,5?-H steroidal sapogenin or derivative thereof. The invention provides a convenient route to useful steroidal sapogenins such as sarsasapogenin, episarsasapogenin, smilagenin, epismilagenin and esters thereof, from readily available or easily preparable starting materials (e.g. diosgenone, preparable from diosgenin).

Abstract: The invention provides sarsasapogenin in novel amorphous, crystalline, solvated and hydrated forms, and the use thereof in manufacturing pharmaceutical or edible grade sarsasapogenin and its derivatives.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (1) comprises reacting compounds of formulae (2) and (3) in the presence of an enzyme, wherein A is a thiol-protecting group, B, C and D are each the same or different organic groups of up to 30 C atoms, optionally functionalized at any position, provided that neither a primary amine nor a primary amide is present, and X is a group that can be displaced by NH2.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of substantially single enantiomer (−)-narwedine comprises seeding a solution of racemic narwedine dissolved in a solvent with substantially single enantiomer (−)-narwedine, provided that if an added amine base is present the ratic solvent:added amine base is greater than 15:1.

Abstract: A process for preparing a compound having formula (11), comprises oxidative cyclization of a tertiary amine having formula (12), wherein X.sup.1 is a removable functionality, X.sup.2 is hydrogen or a group as defined above for X.sup.1, and R.sup.1 is selected from hydrogen and alkyl, aryl, alkaryl and aralkyl groups having up to 20 carbon atoms, and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently selected from hydrogen and alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl and acyl groups having up to 20 carbon atoms. Novel compounds are both used and produced by that process.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a process for the preparation of enantiomerically-enriched galanthamine from racemic galanthamine, and a process for increasing the enantiomeric excess of enantiomerically-enriched galanthamine, by direct crystallization of galanthamine salts.