Electrooxidation of tigogenin acetate afforded two products: 3 beta-acetoxy-16 beta-hydroxy-23,24-dinor-5 alpha-cholanoic acid lactone (2) and 20-epitigogenin acetate (3). The structure of the latter compound was confirmed by an X-ray analysis. The tentative mechanism of reaction is proposed. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.