Methods for the esterification of alcohols and compounds useful therefor as potential anticancer agents

A method for preparing an ester, comprising admixing a compound having the structure VII:

• ##STR73## wherein, R.sub.15 and R.sub.16 are, independently, hydrogen, Si(R.sub.21).sub.3 or C(O)R.sub.22, wherein each R.sub.21 is, independently, branched or straight chain C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl;
• and R.sub.22 is substituted or unsubstituted aryl, aralkyl or from C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 branched or straight chain alkyl;
• R.sub.17 is substituted or unsubstituted aryl, aralkyl, or from C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 branched or straight chain alkyl;
• R.sub.18 is hydrogen;
• branched or straight chain C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl;
• unsubstituted or substituted aryl;
• aralkyl;
• Si(R.sub.28).sub.3 or C(O)R.sub.29, wherein, each R.sub.28 is, independently, branched or straight chain C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl;
• or aralkyl;
• R.sub.29 is substituted or unsubstituted aryl, aralkyl or from C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 branched or straight chain alkyl;
• R.sub.19 and R.sub.20 are, independently, branched or straight chain C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or C(O)OR.sub.30 ;
• R.sub.30 is branched or straight chain C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl;
• and
• V and W are, independently, sulfur, oxygen, or NR.sub.43, wherein R.sub.43 is hydrogen;
• branched or straight chain C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl;
• or aralkyl,
• with an alkoxide.