Semisynthesis of Taxol®: an improved procedure for the isolation of 10-deacetylbaccatin III

Abstract

From the needles of domestic yew, (Taxus baccata), 10-deacetylbaccatin III (10-DAB) can be isolated in quantities of up to 297 mg per kg of fresh needles. Additional quantities of 10-DAB can be obtained from the extract by NaBH4 mediated reductive hydrolysis of baccatin esters. A four-step procedure converts 10-DAB into taxol in 58% overall yield.

Keywords

• anti-tumor agents
• taxol
• natural products
• semisynthesis