Diosgenin [or (22R,25R)-spirost-5-en-3β-ol] is the starting material of the Marker degradation, a cheap semi-synthesis of progesterone, which has been designated as an International Historic Chemical Landmark. Thus far, a single X-ray structure for diosgenin is known, namely its dimethyl sulfoxide solvate [Zhang et al. (2005). Acta Cryst. E61, o2324–o2325]. We have now determined the structure of the hemihydrate, C27H42O3·0.5H2O. The asymmetric unit contains two diosgenin molecules, with quite similar conformations, and one water molecule. Hydroxy groups in steroids and water molecules form O—H...O hydrogen-bonded R54(10) ring motifs. Fused edge-sharing R(10) rings form a backbone oriented along [100], which aggregates the diosgenin molecules in the crystal structure

In the crystal structure of the title salt, C8H12N+·C2F3O2 −, all of the ammonium H atoms serve as donors for hydrogen bonds to carboxyl­ate O atoms, forming an R 4 3(10) ring motif based on two cations and two anions. Since both cations and anions act as inter-ion bridging groups, R(10) rings aggregate in a one-dimensional supra­molecular network by sharing the strongest N—H⋯O bond. Edge-sharing motifs lie on the twofold screw axis parallel to [010], and anti­parallel packing of these 21-column structural units results in the crystal structure. This arrangement is one of the most commonly occurring in conglomerates of chiral 1-phenyl­ethyl­amine with achiral monocarboxylic acids, confirming that these ionic salts are particularly robust supra­molecular heterosynthons useful in crystal engineering.

Diosgenone [(20S,22R,25R)-spirost-4-en-3-one, C27H40O3] has been proposed as a new therapeutic alternative for the treatment of malaria. The first X-ray structure report for diosgenone was by Piro et al. [(2002). Z. Naturforsch. Teil C, 57, 947–950] in the space group P21 (Z′ = 2). We now report a new polymorph in the same space group, with two mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit. Both mol­ecules have similar conformations, characterized by a skewed envelope A ring, which contains the C=C bond conjugated with the ketone functionality at C3. The dimorphism results from a modification of the relative orientation of the mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit: two independent mol­ecules were arranged anti­parallel in the Piro report, while they are parallel in the present determination.

Key indicators: single-crystal X-ray study; T = 296 K; mean (C-C) = 0.003 Å; R factor = 0.036; wR factor = 0.090; data-to-parameter ratio = 16.2.The title steroid, C 34 H 50 O 6 S, is an intermediate on the synthetic route between diosgenin and brassinosteroids, which possess the A ring modified with the 2 ,3 -diol functionality. The polycyclic spirostan system has the expected conformation, with six-membered rings adopting chair forms and the five-membered rings envelope forms (flap atoms are the methine C atom in the C/D-ring junction and the spiro C atom connecting rings E and F). The 3 -tosylate group is oriented in such a way that S O bonds are engaged in intermolecular hydrogen bonds with O-H and C-H donors. Chains of molecules are formed along [100] via O-HÁ Á ÁO hydrogen bonds, and secondary weak C-HÁ Á ÁO interactions connect two neighbouring chains in the [001] direction.

The title steroid, C29H46O4, is a furostene derivative with a C=C double-bond length of 1.353 (3) Å and an E configuration. The side chain is oriented toward the α face of the A–E steroidal nucleus and presents a disordered terminal CH2—OH group [occupancies for resolved sites are 0.591 (9) and 0.409 (9)]. The methyl group at C20 attached to ring E is also oriented toward the α face, avoiding steric hindrance with the carbonyl O atom of the acetyl group. The furostene and acetyl functionalities form an α,β-unsaturated ketone system, with an s-cis configuration. All hydr­oxy and carbonyl groups are involved in weak inter­molecular hydrogen bonds. The absolute configuration was assigned from the synthesis.