2-Debenzoyl-2-acyl taxol derivatives and methods for making same

Compounds having the formula:

• ##STR26## wherein T, U, V, W, and X are selected from among the group consisting of halogens, hydrocarbons of six carbons or fewer, halogenated hydrocarbons of six carbons or fewer, hydroxyl, hydrogen, OR where R is hydrocarbon of six carbons or fewer, NO.sub.2, NH.sub.2, CN, N.sub.3, SR where R is hydrocarbon of six carbons or fewer, and C(O)R where R is hydrocarbon of six carbons or fewer;
• provided that T, U, V, W, and X are not all H and when T, U, V, and W are H, X is not OH, and when T, U, V, and X are H, W is not OH.

The compound having the formula:

• ##STR27##

Taxol modified such that the substituent at the C-2 position on the B-ring of the taxane tetracyclic nucleus is QC(O)O wherein Q is thiophene.

Taxol modified at the C-2 position to possess a substituent that has the formula shown below:

• ##STR28##

Taxol modified to possess a halogenated benzoyloxy group at the C-2 position.

Taxol modified according to claim 17 wherein said halogen is at a meta position on the benzoyloxy group at the C-2 position.

Taxol modified such that the C-2 position has been replaced by an (O(O)CR substituent where R is a radical selected from the group consisting of heterocycles of 6 members or fewer, aromatic groups of ten carbons or fewer, mixed aliphatic-aromatic groups of ten carbons or fewer, and mixed aliphatic-aromatic ethers of ten carbons or fewer.