A representative cardenolide 1 was synthesized starting from 17-oxo-14α-H androstane derivative 2, with the introduction of the hydroxy group into the position 14 prior to construction of the butenolide ring. Key steps of the synthesis involve: (1) hydroxylation of 15-ene-17-one 4 in the 14β-position with SeO2, (2) oxidative, intramolecular cyclopropane ring formation in malo- nate 7, (3) regio- and