Abstract: The invention relates to a new anti-cancer chemical compound which has been called rooperol and certain derivatives thereof of the general formula ##STR1## in which A is chosen from the group including a phenyl group, a substituted phenyl group and --CH.sub.2 --O--R.sup.5 where R.sup.5 =H, an alkyl (C.sub.1 -C.sub.5), aralkyl or acyl substituent; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are chosen from substituents including H for both or singly if one of them is --OH, --NH.sub.2, --SH, ##STR2## or taken together R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are =0; R.sup.3 is H or ##STR3## where R.sup.6 is an alkyl group (C.sub.1 -C.sub.7); either of R.sup.4 or B are chosen from substituents including H, ##STR4## a phenyl group, substituted phenyl group or a furyl group.