The synthesis of taxoids from glucose

Abstract

The synthesis of two model compounds of the anti-cancer natural product Taxol is described. The application of these results to the synthesis of chiral taxoids is outlined starting from the Robinson annulation of a protected glucose methyl ketone, further key stages are the Stork silylmethylene radical cyclisation and Vasella fragmentation to give a chiral synthon for the Taxol C-ring, a progress report on the further elaboration of this synthon is given.