PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF 9,10-DEHYDRO-12,13-DESOXYEPOTHILONE DERIVATIVES

摘要

The invention comprises a novel process for the preparation of an epothilone derivative of formula I: wherein R¹ and R² independently from each other represent hydrogen or protecting groups and R³ is methyl or trifluoromethyl, which are useful precursors in the synthesis of the desoxyepothilone derivatives of the formula IV: wherein R³ is methyl or trifluoromethyl. The desoxepothilones of formula IV inhibit the growth of tumor cells and are therefore promising candidates for novel anticancer agents.