| abstract |
Prodn. of anthracycline glycosides of formula (I) [R1=H or OH; R2=(II) or (III) comprises (a) reacting the corresp. 3',4'diepi- daunorubicin(IV;R1=H) or 3', 4'-diepi-doxorubicin(IV;R1=OH) with NaNO2 and aq. acetic acid to form the mixt. (I) [R1=H, R2=(II) or (III) or the mixt. (I) [R1=OH, R2=(II) or (III) ; and (b) separating the mixt. by chromatography on silica gel after eluting with chloroform and then with 97:3 by vol. chloroform and acetone mix. (I) are useful antitumour agents. |