Matansinol 3-n-hexadecanoate

Abstract

Maytansinoids of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 15 carbon atoms are produced by contacting, in the presence of a carbodiimide, maytansinol with a carboxylic acid of the formula: R--COOH wherein R has the same meaning as defined above. In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there are provided novel maytansinoids of the formula ##STR2## wherein R' is hydrogen, n-butyl or alkyl of 5 to 15 carbon atoms.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.