Abstract: Process for the preparation of a derivative or analog of baccatin III or 10-desacetyl baccatin III having a C2 substituent other than benzoate and/or a C4 substituent other than acetate in which the C2 benzoate substituent and/or the C4 acetate substituent of a derivative of baccatin III or 10-desacetyl baccatin III is/are selectively reduced to the corresponding hydroxy group(s) and converted to R7COO— and/or R8COO—, respectively, wherein R7 and R8 are independently H, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, moncyclic aryl, or monocyclic heteroaryl.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a derivative or analog of baccatin III or 10-desacetyl baccatin III having a C2 substituent other than benzoate and/or a C4 substituent other than acetate in which the C2 benzoate substituent and/or the C4 acetate substituent of a derivative of baccatin III or 10-desacetyl baccatin III is/are selectively reduced to the corresponding hydroxy group(s) and converted to R.sub.7 COO-- and/or R.sub.8 COO--, respectively, wherein R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are independently H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.2 alkenyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkynyl, moncyclic aryl, or monocyclic heteroaryl.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a derivative or analog of baccatin III or 10-desacetyl baccatin III having a C2 substituent other than benzoate and/or a C4 substituent other than acetate in which the C2 benzoate substituent and/or the C4 acetate substituent of a derivative of baccatin III or 10-desacetyl baccatin III is/are selectively reduced to the corresponding hydroxy group(s) and converted to R.sub.7 COO- and/or R.sub.8 COO-, respectively, wherein R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are independently H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkenyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkynyl, moncyclic aryl, or monocyclic heteroaryl.

Abstract: A taxane derivative of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 are independently selected from the group comprising phenyl, naphthalene, C.sub.6 H.sub.5 CHCH--, and ##STR2## provided, however, R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 are not both phenyl;Q is CH.sub.3 --, (CH.sub.3).sub.3 C--, CH.sub.3 O--, Cl, Br, F, NO.sub.2, ##STR3## Z is --OT.sub.1, T.sub.1 is hydrogen, hydroxyl protecting group, or --COT.sub.2,T.sub.2 is H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkenyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkynyl or monocylic aryl,Ac is acetyl, andE.sub.1 and E.sub.2 are independently selected from hydrogen and functional groups which increase the water solubility of the taxane derivative are useful as antitumor agents.