Synthetic studies on taxol: highly stereoselective construction of the taxol C-ring via SN2' reduction of an allylic phosphonium salt.

[reaction: see text] The highly stereoselective construction of the C3 stereogenic center of the taxol C-ring is described. The trans isomer at the C3-C8 position of the taxol C-ring, which is required for the total synthesis, as well as its diastereomeric cis isomer were successfully synthesized with highly diastereoselective S(N)2' reduction of the allylic phosphonium salts.