Abstract: The present invention relates to a L-talopyranoside derivative of the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein, A is hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or a hydroxyl-protecting group;B.sub.1 and B.sub.2, the same or different from each other, are independently hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl-protecting group;R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 may form a alkylene group with a carbon atom of 5-position of the sugar skeleton, or one of them is hydrogen atom and the other is CH.sub.2 X wherein, X is hydrogen, or a protected or un-protected hydroxyl group.Provided that, the following compounds are excepted: ##STR2## wherein, B.sub.1 and B.sub.2 are independently hydrogen atom or acetyl. L-talopyronoside derivatives of the present invention is a very useful intermediate for the synthesis of anthracycline antibiotics having an antitumor activity.

Abstract: A compound of the following formula (I) exhibits an excellent antitumor activity ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 represent hydrogen atom, respectively, or include both straight or branch chain alkylidene group of 1-10 carbon atoms; R.sub.3 represents hydrogen atoms, straight and branch chain alkyl group of 1-10 carbon atoms, straight or branch chain alkyloxycarbonyl group of 1-10 carbon atoms or 3-membered to 6-membered heterocycle containing one nitrogen atom with adjacent alkylene group such as pyrrolidine and N-butoxycarbonyl-pyrrolidine; R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 represent hydrogen atom or alkyl group of 1-5 carbon atoms, respectively; and n represents 0 or an integer of 1-10, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.