| abstract |
4-substituted anthracyclinones of formula (I)n wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a straight or branched alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, are intermediates in the preparation of antitumor anthracycline glycosides of formula (IX):n wherein R is as defined above and R₁ is a hydrogen atom or a hydroxy group, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. |