Synthesis of paclitaxel (docetaxel) / 2-deacetoxytaxinine J dimers

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(99)00290-2

Starting from taxanes available in multigram amounts from widespread ornamental yews (10-deacetylbaccatin III (4) and 2'-deacetoxyaustrospicatine (5)), two dimeric taxoids (3a, 3b) with potential dual target specificity (β-tubulin and P-gp) were synthesised. Both compounds lacked significant cytotoxicity, though 3b retained a strong activity in the tubulin depolimerisation assay.