A crystallization-induced stereoselective glycosidation reaction in the synthesis of the anticancer drug etoposide.

The anticancer drug etoposide, 1, is prepared in 79% overall yield from readily available 4'-demethyl-4-epipodophyllotoxin, 3, and 4, 6-O-ethylidene-2,3-O-dibenzyl-D-glucose, 4, via a crystallization-induced stereoselective glycosidation reaction followed by catalytic hydrogenation.