Abstract: Novel glycosides, especially steroidal and non-steroidal glycosides are provided. The steroidal and non-steroidal glycosides preferably are prepared from aglycons which possess valuable properties such as pharmacological properties. The glycosides are prepared from useful aglycons and possess useful properties which are the same as those of their respective unglycosylated aglycons. The glycosides are provided in acylated and deacylated form. The acylated glycosides after hydrolysis of the acyl groups possess enhanced water solubility properties, as illustrated in the case where the aglycon is acetominophen.

Abstract: Novel glycosides, especially steroidal and non-steroidal glycosides are provided. The steroidal and non-steroidal glycosides preferably are prepared from aglycons which possess valuable properties such as pharmacological properties. The glycosides are prepared from useful aglycons and possess useful properties which are the same as those of their respective unglycosylated aglycons. The glycosides are provided in acylated and deacylated form. The acylated glycosides after hydrolysis of the acyl groups possess enhanced water solubility properties, as illustrated in the case where the aglycon is acetominophen.

Abstract: Novel glycosides 7-ketosteryl di-O-acyl-pyranoside and 7-.beta.-hydroxycholesteryl 2,3-dideoxy-.alpha.-D-erythro-hex-2-enopyranoside. The glycosides possess valuable pharmacological properties as a medicament. In particular, the cholesterol glycoside in vivo exhibits a selective cell-destructive activity on malignant cells which activity is substantially free of side effects on normal cells. The glycosides possess useful properties, especially pharmacological properties which are the same as the respective unglycosylated aglycon.

Abstract: Novel glycosides, especially steroidal glycosides, and a novel method of their production, are provided. For the novel method of producing novel glycosides, hydroxysteryl compounds are glycosylated with tri-O-acyl glucal using molecular iodine as a reaction catalyst. In this method an alcohol or phenol, especially a hydroxy-steroid such as a water-insoluble cholesterol, is glycosylated, such that the glycosylation is performed in a single step. The resulting steryl pyranoside is by oxidation converted to the corresponding 7-ketosteryl di-O-acyl-pyranoside. The latter pyranoside is selectively reduced to provide the corresponding 7-.beta.-hydroxysteryl 2,3-dideoxy-.alpha.-D-erythro-hex-2-enopyranoside. The steroidal glycosides obtained in this way possess valuable pharmacological properties. In particular, the glycosides in vivo exhibit a selective cell-destructive activity on malignant cells which activity is substantially free of side effects on normal cells.