Semi-synthesis of a protected baccatin III compound

摘要

The present invention relates to a semi-synthetic process to convert a naturally occurring taxane into a suitable starting material for the synthesis of paclitaxel and related compounds. Specifically, the present invention relates to a process for the conversion of 9-dihydro-13-acetylbaccatin III into a 7-protected baccatin III which can then be used as starting material for the synthesis of taxane derivatives such as paclitaxel, docetaxel, cephalomannine and other taxanes structurally related to baccatin III. The method as described uses a preparative scale technique which is amenable to commercial scale-up.