First total synthesis of natural pulsatilla saponin D via highly stereospecific glycosylation

The first total synthesis of pulsatilla saponin D, a potent anti-lung cancer natural product was accomplished in eight steps from l-arabinopyranoside in high overall yield via a highly stereospecific glycosylation featuring an oxocarbenium mechanism between the trisaccharide derivative and aglycone as the key step.