A straightforward synthesis of 3 alpha- and 3 beta-aminodigoxigenin

Pure 3 alpha- and 3 beta-aminodigoxigenin were previously prepared from 12-acetyldigoxigenin by a multistep route involving tosylation, azide inversion, deprotection, and reduction. This paper describes the straightforward synthesis of the pure epimers in a single step via reductive amination of digoxigenone and chromatographic separation without the need for protection and deprotection.