Abstract:
A metal alkoxide having the following formula: ##STR1## wherein T 1  is hydrogen or a hydroxy protecting group, Z is --OT 2 , or --OCOCH 3 , T 2  is hydrogen or a hydroxy protecting group, and M is selected from the group comprising Group IA, IIA and transition metals are useful in the preparation of biologically active derivatives of baccatin III and 10-deacetyl baccatin III.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Ser. No. 07/862,778, filed Apr. 3, 1992 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,229,526, which is a C-I-P application of U.S. Ser. No. 07/763,805, filed Sep. 23, 1991, now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to novel metal alkoxides useful in the preparation of derivatives of baccatin III and 10-deacetyl baccatin III such as taxol, taxotere and other taxane derivatives which have biological activity. 
     The taxane family of terpenes, of which taxol is a member, has attracted considerable interest in both the biological and chemical arts. Taxol is a promising cancer chemotherapeutic agent with a broad spectrum of antileukemic and tumor-inhibiting activity. Taxol has the following structure: ##STR2## Because of this promising activity, taxol is currently undergoing clinical trials in both France and the United States. 
     The supply of taxol for these clinical trials is presently being provided by the bark from Taxus brevifolia (Western Yew). However, taxol is found only in minute quantities in the bark of these slow growing evergreens, causing considerable concern that the limited supply of taxol will not meet the demand. Consequently, chemists in recent years have expended their energies in trying to find a viable synthetic route for the preparation of taxols. So far, the results have not been entirely satisfactory. 
     One synthetic route that has been proposed is directed to the synthesis of the tetracyclic taxane nucleus from commodity chemicals. A synthesis of the taxol congener taxusin has been reported by Holton, et al. in JACS 110, 6558 (1988). Despite the progress made in this approach, the final total synthesis of taxol is, nevertheless, likely to be a multi-step, tedious, and costly process. 
     An alternate approach to the preparation of taxol has been described by Greene, et al. in JACS 110, 5917 (1988), and involves the use of a congener of taxol, 10-deacetyl baccatin III which has the structure of formula II shown below: ##STR3## 10-deacetyl baccatin III is more readily available than taxol since it can be obtained from the needles of Taxus baccata. According to the method of Greene et al., 10-deacetyl baccatin III is converted to taxol by attachment of the C-10 acetyl group and by attachment of the C-13 β-amido ester side chain through the esterification of the C-13 alcohol with a β-amido carboxylic acid unit. Although this approach requires relatively few steps, the synthesis of the β-amido carboxylic acid unit is a multi-step process which proceeds in low yield, and the coupling reaction is tedious and also proceeds in low yield. However, this coupling reaction is a key step which is required in every contemplated synthesis of taxol or biologically active derivative of taxol, since it has been shown by Wani, et al. in JACS 93,, 2325 (1971) that the presence of the β-amido ester side chain at C13 is required for anti-tumor activity. 
     More recently, it has been reported in Colin et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,814,470 that taxol derivatives of the formula III below, have an activity significantly greater than that of taxol (I). ##STR4## R&#39; represents hydrogen or acetyl and one of R&#34; and R&#39;&#34; represents hydroxy and the other represents tert-butoxycarbonylamino and their stereoisomeric forms, and mixtures thereof. 
     According to Colin et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,418,470, the products of general formula (III) are obtained by the action of the sodium salt of tert-butyl N-chlorocarbamate on a product of general formula: ##STR5## in which R&#39; denotes an acetyl or 2,2,2-trichloroethoxycarbonyl radical, followed by the replacement of the 2,2,2-trichloroethoxycarbonyl group or groups by hydrogen. It is reported by Denis et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,011, however, that this process leads to a mixture of isomers which has to be separated and, as a result, not all the baccatin III or 10-deactylbaccatin III employed for the preparation of the product of general formula (IV) can be converted to a product of general formula (III). 
     In an effort to improve upon the Colin et al. process, Denis et al. disclose a different process for preparing derivatives of baccatin III or of 10-deactyl-baccatin III of general formula ##STR6## in which R&#39; denotes hydrogen or acetyl wherein an acid of general formula: ##STR7## in which R 1  is a hydroxy-protecting group, is condensed with a taxane derivative of general formula: ##STR8## in which R 2  is an acetyl hydroxy-protecting group and R 3  is a hydroxy-protecting group, and the protecting groups R 1 , R 3  and, where appropriate, R 2  are then replaced by hydrogen. However, this method employs relatively harsh conditions, proceeds with poor conversion, and provides less than optimal yields. 
     A major difficulty remaining in the synthesis of taxol and other potential anti-tumor agents is the lack of baccatin III and 10-deacetyl baccatin III derivatives which have been activated at the C-13 oxygen. Development of such derivatives would permit attachment of the β-amido ester side chain in high yield and thus, facilitate the synthesis of taxol as well as related anti-tumor agents having a modified set of nuclear substituents or a modified C-13 side chain. 
     Another major difficulty encountered in the synthesis of taxol is that known processes for the attachment of the β-amido ester side chain at C-13 are generally not sufficiently diastereoselective. Therefore the side chain precursor must be prepared in optically active form to obtain the desired diastereomer during attachment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Among the objects of the present invention, therefore, is the provision of activated baccatin III and 10-deacetyl baccatin III derivatives which permit attachment of the β-amido ester side chain in high yield, the provision of such derivatives which permit the use of a racemic mixture of side chain precursor, eliminating the need for the expensive, time-consuming process of separating the precursor into its respective isomeric forms, and the provision of such derivatives which permit the preparation of taxanes having greater variety in the side-chain. 
     Briefly, therefore, the present invention is directed to a metal alkoxide having the formula: ##STR9## wherein T 1  is hydrogen or a hydroxy protecting group, Z is --OT 2 , or --OCOCH 3 , T 2  is hydrogen or a hydroxy protecting group, and M is a metal, preferably, Li, Mg, Na, K or Ti, and Ph is phenyl. 
     Other objects and features of this invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Metal alkoxides (1) are activated derivatives of baccatin III and/or 10-deacetyl baccatin III and have particular utility in a process for the preparation of taxol, taxotere and other biologically active taxane derivatives. In accordance with the present invention, metal alkoxides (1) are reacted with β-lactam (2) to form a β-amido ester intermediate. The intermediate is then converted to a biologically active taxane derivative. 
     β-lactam (2) has the general formula: ##STR10## wherein 
     R 1  is --OR 6 , --SR 7 , or --NR 8  R 9  ; 
     R 2  is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl; 
     R 3  and R 4  are independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, or acyl, provided, however, that R 3  and R 4  are not both acyl; 
     R 5  is --COR 10 , --COOR 10 , --COSR 10 , --CONR 8  R 10 , --SO 2  R 11 , or --POR 12  R 13  ; 
     R 6  is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, or hydroxy protecting group; 
     R 7  is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, or sulfhydryl protecting group; 
     R 8  is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl; 
     R 9  is an amino protecting group; 
     R 10  is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl; 
     R 11  is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, --OR 10 , or --NR 8  R 14  ; 
     R 12  and R 13  are independently alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, --OR 10 , or --NR 8  R 14  ; and 
     R 14  is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl. 
     In accordance with the present invention, R 5  of β-lactam (2) is preferably --COR 10  with R 10  with R 10  being aryl, p-substituted phenyl, or lower alkoxy, and most preferably, phenyl, methoxy, ethoxy, tert-butoxy (&#34;tBuO&#34;; (CH 3 ) 3  CO--) or ##STR11## wherein X is Cl, Br, F, CH 3  O--, or NO 2  --. Preferably R 2  and R 4  are hydrogen or lower alkyl. R 3  is preferably aryl, most preferably, naphthyl, phenyl, ##STR12## wherein X is as previously defined, Me is methyl and Ph is phenyl. Preferably, R 1  is selected from --OR 6 , --SR 7  or --NR 8  R 9  wherein R 6 , R 7  and R 9 , are hydroxy, sulfhydryl, and amine protecting groups, respectively, and R 8  is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl. Most preferably, R 1  is --OR 6  wherein R 6  is triethylsilyl (&#34;TES&#34;), 1-ethoxyethyl (&#34;EE&#34;) or 2,2,2-trichloroethoxymethyl. 
     The β-lactam alkyl groups, either alone or with the various substituents defined hereinabove are preferably lower alkyl containing from one to six carbon atoms in the principal chain and up to 15 carbon atoms. They may be straight or branched chain and include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, aryl, hexyl, and the like. 
     The β-lactam alkenyl groups, either alone or with the various substituents defined hereinabove are preferably lower alkenyl containing from two to six carbon atoms in the principal chain and up to 15 carbon atoms. They may be straight or branched chain and include ethenyl, propenyl, isopropenyl, butenyl, isobutenyl, aryl, hexenyl, and the like. 
     The β-lactam alkynyl groups, either alone or with the various substituents defined hereinabove are preferably lower alkynyl containing from two to six carbon atoms in the principal chain and up to 15 carbon atoms. They may be straight or branched chain and include ethynyl, propynyl, butynyl, isobutynyl, aryl, hexynyl, and the like. 
     The β-lactam aryl moieties described, either alone or with various substituents, contain from 6 to 15 carbon atoms and include phenyl, α-naphthyl or β-naphthyl, etc. Substituents include alkanoxy, protected hydroxy, halogen, alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, acyl, acyloxy, nitro, amino, amido. etc. Phenyl is the more preferred aryl. 
     As noted above, R 1  of β-lactam (2) may be --OR 6  with R 6  being alkyl, acyl, ethoxyethyl (&#34;EE&#34;), triethylsilyl (&#34;TES&#34;), 2,2,2-trichloroethoxymethyl, or other hydroxyl protecting group such as acetals and ethers, i.e., methoxymethyl (&#34;MOM&#34;), benzyloxymethyl; esters, such as acetates; carbonates, such as methyl carbonates; and alkyl and aryl silyl such as triethylsilyl, trimethylsilyl, dimethyl-t-butylsilyl, dimethylarylsilyl, dimethylheteroarylsilyl, and triisopropylsilyl, and the like. A variety of protecting groups for the hydroxyl group and the synthesis thereof may be found in &#34;Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis&#34; by T. W. Greene, John Wiley and Sons, 1981. The hydroxyl protecting group selected should be easily removed under conditions that are sufficiently mild, e.g., in 48% HF, acetonitrile, pyridine, or 0.5% HCl/water/ethanol, and/or zinc, acetic acid so as not to disturb the ester linkage or other substituents of the taxol intermediate. 
     Also as noted previously, R 7  may be a sulfhydryl protecting group and R 9  may be an amine protecting group. Sulfhydryl protecting groups include hemithioacetals such as 1-ethoxyethyl and methoxymethyl, thioesters, or thiocarbonates. Amine protecting groups include carbamates, for example, 2,2,2-trichloroethylcarbamate or tertbutylcarbamate. A variety of sulfhydryl and amine protecting groups may be found in the above-identified text by T. W. Greene. 
     The β-lactams (2) can be prepared from readily available materials, as is illustrated in schemes A and B below: ##STR13## reagents: (a) triethylamine, CH 2  Cl 2 , 25° C., 18h; (b) 4 equiv ceric ammonium nitrate, CH 3  CN, -10° C., 10 min; (c) KOH, THF, H 2  O, 0° C., 30 min; (d) ethyl vinyl ether, THF, toluene sulfonic acid (cat.), 0° C., 1.5h; (e) n-butyllithium, ether, -78° C., 10 min; benzoyl chloride, -78° C., 1h; (f) lithium diisopropyl amide, THF -78° C. to -50° C.; (g) lithium hexamethyldisilazide, THF -78° C. to 0° C.; (h) THF, -78° C. to 25° C., 12h. 
     The starting materials are readily available. In scheme A, α-acetoxy acetyl chloride is prepared from glycolic acid, and, in the presence of a tertiary amine, it cyclocondenses with imines prepared from aldehydes and p-methoxyaniline to give 1-p-methoxyphenyl-3-acyloxy-4-arylazetidin-2-ones. The p-methoxyphenyl group can be readily removed through oxidation with ceric ammonium nitrate, and the acyloxy group can be hydrolyzed under standard conditions familiar to those experienced in the art to provide 3-hydroxy-4-arylazetidin-2-ones. The 3-hydroxyl group is protected with 1-ethoxyethyl, but may be protected with variety of standard protecting groups such as the triethylsilyl group or other trialkyl (or aryl) silyl groups. In Scheme B, ethyl-α-triethylsilyloxyacetate is readily prepared from glycolic acid. 
     The racemic β-lactams may be resolved into the pure enantiomers prior to protection by recrystallization of the corresponding 2-methoxy-2-(trifluoromethyl) phenylacetic esters. However, the reaction described hereinbelow in which the β-amido ester side chain is attached has the advantage of being highly diastereo-selective, thus permitting the use of a racemic mixture of side chain precursor. 
     The 3-(1-ethoxyethoxy)-4-phenylazetidin-2-one of Scheme A and the 3-(1-triethylsilyloxy)-4-phenylazetidin-2-one of Scheme B can be converted to β-lactam (2), by treatment with a base, preferably n-butyllithium, and an acyl chloride, sulfonyl chloride, phosphinyl chloride, phosphoryl chloride or an alkyl chloroformate at -78° C. or less. 
     Preferably, the metal alkoxides are prepared by reacting an alcohol having two to four rings of the taxane nucleus and a C-13 hydroxyl group with an organometallic compound in a suitable solvent. Most preferably, the alcohol is a protected baccatin III, in particular, 7O-triethylsilyl baccatin III (which can be obtained as described by Greene, et al. in JACS 110, 5917 (1988) or by other routes) or 7,10-bis-O-triethylsilyl baccatin III. 
     As reported in Greene et al., 10-deacetyl baccatin III is converted to 7-O-triethylsilyl-10-deacetyl baccatin III according to the following reaction scheme: ##STR14## Under what is reported to be carefully optimized conditions, 10-deacetyl baccatin III is reacted with 20 equivalents of (C 2  H 5 ) 3  SiCl at 23° C. under an argon atmosphere for 20 hours in the presence of 50 ml of pyridine/mmol of 10-deacetyl baccatin III to provide 7-triethylsilyl-10-deacetyl baccatin III (4a) as a reaction product in 84-86% yield after purification. 
     The reaction product (4a) is then acetylated with 5 equivalents of CH 3  COCl and 25 mL of pyridine/mmol of 4a at 0 ° C. under an argon atmosphere for 48 hours to provide 86% yield of 7-O-triethylsilyl baccatin III (4b) as reported by Greene, et al. in JACS 110, 5917 at 5918 (1988). 
     Alternatively, 7-triethylsilyl-10-deacetyl baccatin III (4a) can be protected at C-10 oxygen with an acid labile hydroxyl protecting group. For example, treatment of (4a) with n-butyllithium in THF followed by triethylsilyl chloride (1.1 mol equiv.) at 0° C. gives 7,10-bis-O-triethylsilyl baccatin III (4c) in 95% yield. Also, (4a) can be converted to 7-O-treithylsilyl-10-(1-ethoxyethyl) baccatin III (4a) in 90% yield by treatment with excess ethyl vinyl ether and a catalytic amount of methane sulfonic acid. These preparations are illustrated in the reaction scheme below. ##STR15## p The 7-O-triethylsilyl baccatin III derivatives (4b, 4c or 4d) are reacted with an organometallic compound such as n-butyllithium in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran (THF), to form the metal alkoxide 13-O-lithium-7-O-triethylsilyl baccatin III derivative (5b, 5c or 5d) as shown in the following reaction scheme: 
     As shown in the following reaction scheme, the 13-O-lithium-7-O-triethylsilyl baccatin III derivative (5b, 5c, or 5d) reacts with β-lactam (2) to provide an intermediate (6d, 6c, or 6d) in which the C-7 and C-2&#39; hydroxyl groups are protected with a triethylsily group. The triethylsilyl and ethoxyethyl groups are then hydrolyzed under mild conditions so as not to disturb the ester linkage or the taxane substituents. ##STR16## wherein T 1  is a hydroxy protecting group; M is a metal; Ph is phenyl; Ac is acetyl; and R 1  to R 5  are as previously defined. 
     Metal substituent, M, of metal alkoxide (3) is a Group IA, IIA, IIIA, lanthanide or actinide element or a transition, Group IIIA, IVA, VA or VIA metal. Preferably, it is a Group IA, IIA or transition metal, and most preferably, it is lithium, magnesium, sodium, potassium or titanium. 
     Both the conversion of the alcohol to the metal alkoxide and the ultimate synthesis of the taxane derivative can take place in the same reaction vessel. Preferably, the β-lactam is added to the reaction vessel after formation therein of the metal alkoxide. 
     The organometallic compound n-butyllithium is preferably used to convert baccatin III or 10-deacetyl baccatin III to the corresponding metal alkoxide, but other sources of metallic substituent such as lithium diisopropyl amide, other lithium or magnesium amides, ethylmagnesium bromide, methylmagnesium bromide, other organolithium compounds, other organomagnesium compounds, organosodium, organotitanium, organozirconium, organozinc, organocadmium or organopotassium or the corresponding amides may also be used. Organometallic compounds are readily available, or may be prepared by available methods including reduction of organic halides with metal. Lower alkyl halides are preferred. For example, butyl bromide can be reacted with lithium metal in diethyl ether to give a solution of n-butyllithium in the following manner: ##STR17## 
     Alternatively, the lithium alkoxide may be induced to undergo exchange with metal halides to form alkoxides of aluminum, boron, cerium, calcium, zirconium or zinc. 
     Although THF is the preferred solvent for the reaction mixture, other ethereal solvents, such as dimethoxyethane, or aromatic solvents may also be suitable. Certain solvents, including some halogenated solvents and some straight-chain hydrocarbons in which the reactants are too poorly soluble, are not suitable. Other solvents are not appropriate for other reasons. For example, esters are not appropriate for use with certain organometallic compounds such as n-butyllithium due to incompatibility therewith. 
     Although the reaction scheme disclosed herein is ideally directed to the synthesis of taxol, taxotere, and other taxane derivatives exemplified herein, it can be used with modifications in either the β-lactam or the tetracyclic metal alkoxide to produce other compounds. Thus, the β-lactam and the tetracyclic metal alkoxide can be derived from natural or unnatural sources, to prepare other synthetic taxols, taxol derivatives, 10-deacetyl-taxols, and the enantiomers and diastereomers thereof contemplated within the present invention. 
     The process of the invention also has the important advantage of being highly diastereoselective. Therefore racemic mixtures of the side chain precursors may be used. Substantial cost savings may be realized because there is no need to resolve racemic β-lactams into their pure enantiomers. Additional cost savings may be realized because less side chain precursor, e.g., 60-70% less, is required relative to prior processes. 
     The following examples illustrate the invention. 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     Preparation of 2&#39;-ethoxyethyl-7-triethylsilyl taxol, and subsequently taxol, from racemic β-lactam: 
     To a solution of 7-triethylsilyl baccatin III (20mg, 0.028 mmol) in 1 ml of THF at -78° C. was added dropwise 0.17 ml of a 0.164M solution of nBuLi in hexane. After 30 min at -78° C., a solution of cis-1-benzoyl-3-(1-ethoxyethoxy)-4-phenylazetidin-2-one (47.5 mg, 0.14 mmol) in 1 ml of THF was added dropwise to the mixture. The solution was allowed to slowly warm (over 1.5 h) to 0° C. and was then stirred at 0° C. for 1 h and 1 ml of a 10% solution of AcOH in THF was added. The mixture was partitioned between saturated aqueous NaHC03 and 60/40 ethyl acetate/hexane. Evaporation of the organic layer gave a residue which was purified by flash chromatography to give 23 mg (80%) of (2&#39;R, 3&#39;S)-2&#39;-ethoxyethyl-7-triethylsilyl taxol and 3.5 mg (13%) of 2&#39;,3&#39;--epi(2&#39;S, 3&#39;R)-2&#39;-ethoxyethyl-7-triethylsilyl taxol. 
     A 5 mg sample of (2&#39;R, 3&#39;S)-2&#39;-ethoxyethyl-7-triethylsilyl taxol was dissolved in 2 ml of ethanol, and 0.5 ml of 0.5% aqueous HCl solution was added. The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 30 h and diluted with 50 ml of ethyl acetate. The solution was extracted with 20 ml of saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was purified by flash chromatography to provide 4.5 mg (ca.90%) taxol, which was identical with an authentic sample in all respects. 
     A 5 mg sample of 2&#39;,3&#39;-epi(2&#39;S,3&#39;R)-2&#39;-ethoxyethyl-7-triethylsilyl taxol was dissolved in 2 ml of ethanol and 0.5 ml of 0.5% aqueous HCl solution was added. The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 30 h and diluted with 50 ml of ethyl acetate. The solution was extracted with 20 ml of saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was purified by flash chromatography to provide 4.5 mg (ca.90%) of 2&#39;,3&#39;-epitaxol. 
     EXAMPLE 2 
     Preparation of 2&#39;,7-(bis)triethylsilyl taxol, and subsequently taxol, from racemic β-lactam: 
     To a solution of 7-triethylsilyl baccatin III 
     (100 mg, 0.143 mmol) in 1 ml of THF at -45° C. was added dropwise 0.087 ml of a 1.63M solution of nBuLi in hexane. After 1 h at -45° C., a solution of cis-1-benzoyl-3-triethylsilyloxy)-4-phenylazetidin-2-one (274 mg, 0.715 mmol) in 1 ml of THF was added dropwise to the mixture. The solution was allowed to warm to 0° C. and held at 0° C. for 1 h. One ml of a 10% solution of AcOH in THF was added. The mixture was partitioned between saturated aqueous NaHCO 3  and 60/40 ethyl acetate/hexane. Evaporation of the organic layer gave a residue which was purified by flash chromatography followed by recrystallization to give 131 mg (85%) of (2&#39;R, 3&#39;S)-2&#39;,7-(bis)triethylsilyl taxol and 15 mg (10%) of 2&#39;,3&#39;-epi(2&#39;S,3&#39;R)-2&#39;,7-(bis)triethylsilyl taxol. 
     To a solution of 121.3 mg (0.112 mmol) of (2&#39;R, 3&#39;S)-2&#39;,7-(bis)triethylsilyl taxol in 6 ml of acetonitrile and 0.3 ml of pyridine at 0° C. was added 0.9 ml of 48% aqueous HF. The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 8 h, then at 25° C. for 6 h. The mixture was partitioned between saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and ethyl acetate. Evaporation of the ethyl acetate solution gave 113 mg of material which was purified by flash chromatography and recrystallization to give 94 mg (98%) taxol, which was identical with an authentic sample in all respects. 
     To a solution of 5 mg of (2&#39;R, 3&#39;S)-2&#39;,7-(bis) triethylsilyl taxol in 0.5 ml of acetonitrile and 0.03 ml of pyridine at 0° C. was added 0.09 ml of 48% aqueous HF. The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 8 h, then at 25° C. for 6 h. The mixture was partitioned between saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and ethyl acetate. Evaporation of the ethyl acetate solution gave 5 mg of material which was purified by flash chromatography and recrystallization to give 4.6 mg (ca. 95%) of 2&#39;,3&#39;-epitaxol. 
     EXAMPLE 3 
     Preparation of taxotere. 
     To a solution of 7,10-bis-triethylsilyl baccatin III (200 mg, 0.248 mmol)) in 2 mL of THF at -45 ° C. was added dropwise 0.174 mL of a 1.63M solution of nBuLi in hexane. After 0.5 h at -45° C., a solution of cis-1-(tertbutoxycarbonyl)-3-triethylsilyloxy-4-phenylazetidin-2-one (467 mg, 1.24 mmol) in 2 mL of THF was added dropwise to the mixture. The solution was warmed to 0 ° C. and kept at that temperature for 1 h before 1 mL of a 10% solution of AcOH in THF was added. The mixture was partitioned between saturated aqueous NaHCO 3  and 60/40 ethyl acetate/hexane. Evaporation of the organic layer gave a residue which was purified by filtration through silica gel to give 280 mg of crude 2&#39;,7,10-tris-triethylsilyl taxotere. 
     To a solution of 280 mg of the crude product obtained from the previous reaction in 12 mL of acetonitrile and 0.6 mL of pyridine at 0 ° C. was added 1.8 ml, of 48% aqueous HF. The mixture was stirred at 0 ° C. for 3 h, then at 25 ° C. for 13 h, and partitioned between saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and ethyl acetate. Evaporation of the ethyl acetate solution gave 215 mg of material which was purified by flash chromatography to give 190 mg (95%) of taxotere, which was recrystallized from methanol/water. All analytical and spectral data were identical with that reported for taxotere in U.S. Pat. No. 4,814,470. 
     EXAMPLE 4 ##STR18## wherein N p2  is ##STR19## 
     Preparation of 3&#39;-desphenyl-3&#39;-(2-naphthyl) taxol. 
     To a solution of 7-triethylsilyl baccatin III (200 mg, 0.286 mmol) in 2 mL of THF at -45 ° C. was added dropwise 0.174 mL of a 1.63M solution of nBuLi in hexane. After 0.5 h at -45° C., a solution of cis-1-benzoyl-3-triethylsilyloxy-4-(2-naphthyl)azetidin-2-one (620 mg, 1.43 mmol) in 2 mL of THF was added dropwise to the mixture. The solution was warmed to 0 ° C. and kept at that temperature for 1 h before 1 mL of a 10% solution of AcOH in THF was added. The mixture was partitioned between saturated aqueous NaHCO 3  and 60/40 ethyl acetate/hexane. Evaporation of the organic layer gave a residue which was purified by filtration through silica gel to give 320 mg of a mixture containing (2&#39;R,3&#39;S)-2&#39;,7-(bis)triethylsilyl-3&#39;-desphenyl-3&#39;-(2-naphthyl) taxol and a small amount of the (2&#39;S,3&#39;R) isomer. 
     To a solution of 320 mg (0.283 mmol) of the mixture obtained from the previous reaction in 18 mL of acetonitrile and 0.93 mL of pyridine at 0 ° C. was added 2.8 mL of 48% aqueous HF. The mixture was stirred at 0 ° C. for 3 h, then at 25 ° C. for 13 h, and partitioned between saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and ethyl acetate. Evaporation of the ethyl acetate solution gave 255 mg of material which was purified by flash chromatography to give 166 mg (64%) of 3&#39;-desphenyl-3&#39;-(2-naphthyl) taxol, which was recrystallized from methanol/water. 
     m.p. 164°-165° C.; [α] 25  Na -52 .6° (c 0.005, CHCl 3 ). 
       1  H NMR (CDCl 3 , 300 MHz) δ8.14 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 2H, benzoate ortho), 7.96 (m, 1H, aromatic), 7.90 (m, 1H, aromatic), 7.85 (m, 2H, aromatic), 7.76 (m, 2H, aromatic), 7.60 (m, 3H, aromatic), 7.52 (m, 4H, aromatic), 7.41 (m, 2H, aromatic), 7.01 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H, NH), 6.27 (s, 1H, H10), 6.26 (dd, J=9.2, 9.2 Hz, 1H, H13), 5.97 (dd, J=8.8, 2.5 Hz, 1H, H3&#39;), 5.68 (d, J=7.1 Hz, 1H, H2β), 4.93 (m, 1H, H5), 4.92 (m, 1H, H2&#39;), 4.39 (m, 1H, H7), 4.30 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1, H20α), 4.20 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H, H20β), 3.81 (d, J=7.1 Hz, 1H, H3), 3.60 (d, J=5 Hz, 1H, 2&#39;OH), 2.48 (m, 1H, H6α), 2.45 (br, 1H, 7OH), 2.39 (s, 3H, 4Ac), 2.30 (m, 2H, H14), 2.24 (s, 3H, 10Ac), 1.83 (m, 1H, H6β), 1.82 (br s, 3H, Me18), 1.68 (s, 1H, 10H), 1.68 (s, 3H, Me19), 1.24 (s, 3H, Me17), 1.14 (s, 3H, Me16). 
     EXAMPLE 5 
     Preparation of 2&#39;,7-hydroxy protected Taxol using magnesium alkoxide: 
     To a solution of 7-triethylsilyl baccatin III (100 mg, 0.143 mmol) in 1 mL of TUF at -45 ° C. was added dropwise 0.048 mL of a 3.0M solution of methyl magnesium bromide in ether. After 1 h at -45° C., a solution of (+)-cis-1-benzoyl-3-triethylsilyloxy-4-phenylazetidin-2-one (82 mg, 0.215 mmol) in 1 mL of THF was added dropwise to the mixture. The solution was warmed to 0 ° C. and kept at that temperature for 4 h before 1 mL of a 10% solution of AcOH in THF was added. The mixture was partitioned between saturated aqueous NaHCO 3  and 60/40 ethyl acetate/hexane. Evaporation of the organic layer gave a residue which was purified by flash chromatography followed by recrystallization to give 148 mg (96%) of (2&#39;R,3&#39;S)-2&#39;,7-(bis)triethylsilyl taxol. 
     EXAMPLE 6 
     Preparation of 2&#39;,7-hydroxy protected Taxol using potassium alkoxide: 
     To a solution of 7-triethylsilyl baccatin III (100 mg, 0.143 mmol) in 1 mL of THF at -45° C. was added dropwise 0.286 mL of a 0.5 M solution of potassium hexamethyldisilazide in toluene. After 1 h at -45 ° C., a solution of (+)-cis-1-benzoyl-3-triethylsilyloxy-4-phenylazetidin-2-one (82 mg, 0.215 mmol) in 1 mL of THF was added dropwise to the mixture. The solution was warmed to 0° C. and kept at that temperature for 3 h before 1 mL of a 10% solution of AcOH in THF was added. The mixture was partitioned between saturated aqueous NaHCO 3  and 60/40 ethyl acetate/hexane. Evaporation of the organic layer gave a residue which was purified by flash chromatography followed by recrystallization to give 139 mg (90%) of (2&#39;R,3&#39;S)-2&#39;,7-(bis)triethylsilyl taxol. 
     EXAMPLE 7 
     Preparation of 2&#39;,7-hydroxy protected Taxol using lithium alkoxide from lithium hexamethyldisilazide: 
     To a solution of 7-triethylsilyl baccatin III (100 mg, 0.143 mmol) in 1 mL of THF at -45 ° C. was added dropwise 0.143 mL of a 1.0M solution of lithium hexamethyldisilazide in THF. After 1 h at -45 ° C., a solution of (+)-cis-1-benzoyl-3-triethylsilyloxy-4-phenylazetidin-2-one (82 mg, 0.215 mmol) in 1 mL of THF was added dropwise to the mixture. The solution was warmed to 0° C. and kept at that temperature for 2 h before 1 mL of a 10% solution of AcOH in THF was added. The mixture was partitioned between saturated aqueous NaHCO 3  and 60/40 ethyl acetate/hexane. Evaporation of the organic layer gave a residue which was purified by flash chromatography followed by recrystallization to give 151 mg (98%) of (2&#39;R,3&#39;S)-2&#39;,7-(bis)triethylsilyl taxol. 
     EXAMPLE 8 
     Preparation of Taxol using lithium alkoxide (from lithium hexamethyldisilazide): 
     To a solution of 7-triethylsilyl baccatin III (100 mg, 0.143 mmol) in 1 mL of THF at -45 ° C. was added dropwise 0.143 mL of a 1.0M solution of lithium hexamethyldisilazide in THF. After 1 h at -45° C., a solution of (+)-cis-1-benzoyl-3-(2-methoxy-2-propyloxy)-4-phenylazetidin-2-one (58 mg, 0.172 mmol) in 1 mL of THF was added dropwise to the mixture. The solution was warmed to 0° C. and kept at that temperature for 2 h before 1 mL of a 10% solution of AcOH in THF was added. The mixture was partitioned between saturated aqueous NaHCO 3  and 60/40 ethyl acetate/hexane. Evaporation of the organic layer gave a residue which was purified by recrystallization to give 147 mg (99%) of (2&#39;R,3&#39;S)-2&#39;-(2-methoxy-2-propyloxy)-7-triethylsilyl taxol. 
     To a solution of 116 mg (0.112 mmol) of (2&#39;R,3&#39;S)-2&#39;-(2-methoxy-2-propyloxy)-7-triethylsily taxol in 6 mL of acetonitrile and 0.3 mL of pyridine at 0° C. was added 0.9 mL of 48% aqueous HF. The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 8 h, then at 25° C. for 10 h. The mixture was partitioned between saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and ethyl acetate. Evaporation of the ethyl acetate solution gave 113 mg of material which was purified by recrystallization to give 95 mg (99%) of taxol, which was identical with an authentic sample in all respects. 
     EXAMPLE 9 
     Preparation of 2&#39;,7-hydroxy protected Taxol using sodium alkoxide: 
     To a solution of 7-triethylsilyl baccatin III (100 mg, 0.143 mmol) in 1 mL of THF at -45° C. is added dropwise 0.143 mL of a 1 M solution of sodium hexamethyldisilazide in THF. After 1 h at -45 ° C., a solution of (+)-cis-1-benzoyl-3-triethylsilyloxy-4-phenylazetidin-2-one (82 mg, 0.215 mmol) in 1 mL of THF is added dropwise to the mixture. The solution is warmed to 0° C. and kept at that temperature for 3 h before 1 mL of a 10% solution of AcOH in THF is added. The mixture is partitioned between saturated aqueous NaHCO 3  and 60/40 ethyl acetate/hexane. Evaporation of the organic layer gives a residue which is purified by flash chromatography followed by recrystallization to give 108 mg (70%) of (2&#39;R,3&#39;S)-2&#39;,7-(bis)triethylsilyl taxol. 
     In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved. 
     As various changes could be made in the above compositions and processes without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.