Abstract: It has been found that stereospecific R(-)-4-demethoxy-7-deoxydaunomycinone can be synthesized from the known compound 4-demethoxy-7,9-dideoxydaunomycinone. R(-)-4-Demethoxy-7-deoxy-daunomycinone is an intermediate in the synthesis of (+)-4-demethoxydaunomycinone, the aglycone of the nonnaturally occurring and antitumor active (-)7(S)9(S)-4-demethoxydaunorubicin.