Baccatin III derivatives: Reduction of the C-11, C-12 double bond

Zinc-promoted reduction of 13-oxobaccatin III derivatives leads to 11,12-dihydro analogs. The reduced products are unstable and a skeleton rearrangement occurs leading to the cleavage of the C-10, C-11 bond. The 11,12-dihydrobaccatin III derivatives do not retain antitubulin activity.