Abstract: Onium salts of taxo-diterpenoid-Cn,2-O-aza-arenes form water soluble self-assembling nanostructures above a critical aggregation concentration. The onium salt of aza-arene includes a delocalized charge which renders derivatized taxo-diterpenoids amphoteric, enhances their solubility in water, and promotes self-assembly of water soluble nanostructures, e.g., helical fibular structures and spherical micellular structures. These same onium salts of taxo-diterpenoid-Cn,2-O-aza-arenes are employed as water soluble prodrugs. For example, taxol-2′-methylpyridinium tosylate (MPT) is characterized by an elevated aqueous solubility, rapid activation by serum protein, good stability in most other aqueous solutions, formation of a protein:taxol intermediate and good retention within the circulatory system. The toxicity of the activated form is comparable or greater than underivatized taxol. Furthermore, taxol-2′-MPT can be synthesized by a simple one step reaction between taxol and 2-fluoro-1-MPT.

Abstract: Cyclic chemical switching method is employed for solubilizing and desolubilizing taxo-diterpenoids with respect to aqueous solvents. 2-Halogenated onium salts of aza-arenes are employed to derivatize taxo-diterpenoids so as to alter their solubility in aqueous solvents. The onium salt of aza-arene includes a delocalized charge which imparts polarity and aqueous solubility to taxo-diterpenoid derivatives. Solubilization is achieved in a one step derivatization with the onium salt of 2-halogenated aza-arenes. Desolubilization is achieved by contacting onium salts of taxo-diterpenoid-Cn,2-O-aza-arenes with serum protein to displace the 2-O-aza-arene and form a soluble protein:taxo-diterpenoid intermediate. This protein:taxo-diterpenoid intermediate then dissociates over time to provide a bioactive taxo-diterpenoid. These same onium salts of taxo-diterpenoid-Cn,2-O-aza-arenes are employed as water soluble prodrugs. The toxicity of the activated form is comparable or greater than underivatized taxol.

Abstract: A method for esterifying C13 deoxy taxoid intermediates employs three steps, i.e., oxygenation of the C13 deoxy taxoid intermediate to produce a C13 enone taxoid intermediate; reduction of the C13 enone to produce an alcohol; followed by esterification of the C13 alcohol. Key intermediates include C13 deoxy taxoids; C13 enone substituted taxoids; and C1-C2 cyclo carbonate esters of taxoids.

Abstract: Alkaline sensitive protaxol is water soluble and is hydrolyzed at physiological (alkaline) pH to render the native taxol structure and the native taxol activity. Protaxol compositions include 2'- and/or 7-O-ester derivatives of taxol and/or 2'- and/or 7-O-carbonate derivatives taxol. Protaxol has a formula as follows: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each H or a radical selected from the group consisting of --CO--(CH.sub.2).sub.m --X--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --COZ and --COO--(CH.sub.2).sub.o --Y--Ar, and wherein m, n, and o are each an integer of 1 to 3; X is 0, S, NH, SO, or SO.sub.2 ; Y is S, SO or SO.sub.2 ; Ar is phenyl or substituted phenyl wherein the substituent is halo, amino, nitro or N,N-dialkylamino having 1 to 4 carbons in each of the alkyl groups; and Z is OH, OR.sup.3, SR.sup.3 or NR.sup.4 R.sup.5 wherein R.sup.3 is alkyl containing 1 to 4 carbons and R.sup.4 and R.sup.

Abstract: Bioactive ABC taxoids accessible by convergent synthesis have an intact AB ring framework of taxol, including the C.sup.13 side chain, and an aromatic C ring which substitutes for the CD ring system found on native taxol. The aromatic C ring may be substituted or unsubstituted. MPT derivatives of ABC taxoids are also disclosed.

Abstract: Transformations of taxol, baccatin III and of 10-deacetyl baccatin III provide access to novel taxol analogs and key intermediates thereto.

Abstract: Alkaline sensitive protaxol is water soluble and is hydrolyzed at physiological (alkaline) pH to render the native taxol structure and the native taxol activity. Protaxol compositions include 2'- and/or 7-O-ester derivatives of taxol and/or 2'- and/or 7-O-carbonate derivatives taxol. Protaxol has a formula as follows: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each H or a radical selected from the group consisting of --CO--(CH.sub.2).sub.m --X--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --COZ and --COO--(CH.sub.2).sub.o --Y--Ar, and wherein m, n, and o are each an integer of 1 to 3; X is O, S, NH, SO, or SO.sub.2 ; Y is S, SO or SO.sub.2 ; Ar is phenyl or substituted phenyl wherein the substituent is halo, amino, nitro or N,N-dialkylamino having 1 to 4 carbons in each of the alkyl groups; and Z is OH, OR.sup.3, SR.sup.3 or NR.sup.4 R.sup.5 wherein R.sup.3 is alkyl containing 1 to 4 carbons and R.sup.4 and R.sup.

Abstract: Synthetic calicheamicin mimics employ alternative activation triggers and trigger cites and include tithers for conjugation to DNA targeting systems.

Abstract: A method for esterifying C13 deoxy taxoid intermediates employs three steps, i.e., oxygenation of the C13 deoxy taxoid intermediate to produce a C13 enone taxoid intermediate; reduction of the C13 enone to produce an alcohol; followed by esterification of the C13 alcohol. Key intermediates include C13 deoxy taxoids; C13 enone substituted taxoids; and C1-C2 cyclo carbonate esters of taxoids.

Abstract: A method for inducing apoptosis in target cells employs designed enediynes which are triggered to become chemically reactive when bound to target cells. Conversely, a method for inhibiting the induction of apoptosis employs compounds which compete with the above compounds which induce apoptosis, but which are chemically unreactive with respect to the target cells.

Abstract: Bioactive ABC taxoids accessible by convergent synthesis have an intact AB ring framework of taxol, including the C.sup.13 side chain, and an aromatic C ring which substitutes for the CD ring system found on native taxol. The aromatic C ring may be substituted or unsubstituted. MPT derivatives of ABC taxoids are also disclosed.

Abstract: The total synthesis of taxol employs a convergent synthetic plan. The synthetic plan may also be employed to produce a large number of taxol analogs. Taxol analogs having skeletal extensions are inaccessible by modification of the natural product but are readily produced by employing the convergent synthetic plan herein.

Abstract: Transformations of taxol, baccatin III and of 10-deacetyl baccatin III provide access to novel taxol analogs and key intermediates thereto.

Abstract: Alkaline sensitive protaxol is water soluble and is hydrolyzed at physiological (alkaline) pH to render the native taxol structure and the native taxol activity. Protaxol compositions include 2'- and/or 7-O-ester derivatives of taxol and/or 2'- and/or 7-O-carbonate derivatives taxol. Protaxol has a formula as follows: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each H or a radical selected from the group consisting of --CO--(CH.sub.2).sub.m --X--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --COZ and --COO--(CH.sub.2).sub.o --Y--Ar, and wherein m, n, and o are each an integer of 1 to 3; X is O, S, NH, SO, or SO.sub.2 ; Y is S, SO or SO.sub.2 ; Ar is phenyl or substituted phenyl wherein the substituent is halo, amino, nitro or N,N-dialkylamino having 1 to 4 carbons in each of the alkyl groups; and Z is OH, OR.sup.3, SR.sup.3 or NR.sup.4 R.sup.5 wherein R.sup.3 is alkyl containing 1 to 4 carbons and R.sup.4 and R.sup.

Abstract: A taxol intermediate selected from the group consisting of: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different and each selected from hydrogen, hydroxyl, or a protected hydroxyl; or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together form an oxo or a protected oxo; R.sup.3 is formyl, a protected formyl, or --CH(X)--OY wherein X is hydrogen or a monovalent metal and Y is hydrogen or a hydroxyl protecting group; and R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are different and each selected from chloro or cyano; or R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 together form an oxo or a protected oxo, with the proviso that R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are not both hydroxyl; R.sup.6 is hydroxyl or a protected hydroxyl; R.sup.7 is hydrogen, hydroxyl, or a protected hydroxyl; R.sup.8 is carboxyl, hydroxylmethyl, or a protected hydroxylmethyl; or R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 when taken together with carbon atoms 3 and 4, form an oxetane ring; or R.sup.6 and R.sup.8 when taken together with carbon atoms 1 and 4, form a bridged lactone; R.sup.9 is hydrogen or a hydroxyl protecting group; R.sup.

Abstract: Propargylic and allenic sulfones are disclosed having the ability to selectively cleave nucleic acids, especially deoxyribonucleic acid. Such compositions are capable of being synthetically modified to effect cleavage at selected, sequenced sites on nucleic acids.