Improved protection and esterification of a precursor of the taxotere and taxol side chains

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)79128-3

(4S,5R)-N-BOC-2,2-dimethyl-4-phenyl-5-oxazolidinecarboxylic acid 8 was prepared and efficiently esterified by conveniently protected baccatins 9a,b. Smooth deprotection in formic acid gave the N-deprotected intermediates of Taxotere and taxol. This protocol did not generate any epimerization at C-2′ and constitutes a pratical method to prepare Taxotere, taxol and analogs.