Abstract: The nucleotide sequence of a DNA involved in the biosynthesis of herboxidiene was determined. Utilizing this DNA, herboxidiene and analogues thereof can be efficiently produced.

Abstract: Indene derivatives that are utilizable as intermediates in the synthesis of the vitamin D2 derivative paricalcitol, which is useful as pharmaceutical are efficiently prepared by subjecting a vitamin D2 derivative such as 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 to a two-steps oxidation reaction using an oxidizing agent such as potassium permanganates and sodium periodate in a suitable solvent such as methanol and ethanol.

Abstract: The invention offers a method of hydrogenating camptothecin in inert solvent in the presence of nickel catalyst, whereby selective hydrogenation of camptothecin can be very efficiently accomplished using the low-cost catalyst.

Abstract: A cyclovitamin D derivative produced from 25-hydroxyvitamin D is reacted with osmium tetraoxide or a permanganic acid salt to produce a 10,19-diolcyclovitamin D derivative. The 10,19-diolcyclovitamin D derivative is reacted with a perhalogenic acid salt or lead tetraacetate to produce a 10-oxocyclovitamin D derivative. A 1-hydroxycyclovitamin D derivative is produced from the 10-oxocyclovitamin D derivative via a cyclovitamin D derivative and a 1,10-olefincyclovitamin D derivative. The 1-hydrocyclovitamin D derivative is subjected to solvolysis, thereby producing a 1-hydroxy-19-norviatmin D derivative. Thus provided are a novel process for production of 1-hydroxy-19-norcyclovitamin D derivative that is utilizable as an intermediate in the synthesis of 1-hydroxy-19-norvitamin D derivative which is useful as a pharmaceutical agent; and an intermediate for the production.

Abstract: The nucleotide sequence of a DNA involved in the biosynthesis of herboxidiene was determined. Utilizing this DNA, herboxidiene and analogues thereof can be efficiently produced.

Abstract: The invention offers a method of hydrogenating camptothecin in inert solvent in the presence of nickel catalyst, whereby selective hydrogenation of camptothecin can be very efficiently accomplished using the low-cost catalyst.

Abstract: Indene derivatives that are utilizable as intermediates in the synthesis of the vitamin D2 derivative paricalcitol, which is useful as pharmaceutical are efficiently prepared by subjecting a vitamin D2 derivative such as 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 to a two-steps oxidation reaction using an oxidizing agent such as potassium permanganates and sodium periodate in a suitable solvent such as methanol and ethanol.