Glaxo Group Limited

Brian R Cowley

Gordon H Phillipps

A process is described for the preparation of compounds of formula (1) ##STR1## [where OR is hydroxyl, protected hydroxyl or OP(O)(OCH.sub.2 Ph)(OR.sup.1) (where Ph is phenyl and OR.sup.1 is hydroxyl or protected hydroxyl)] and salts thereof, which comprises reacting a compound of formula (2) ##STR2## with a compound of formula (3) ##STR3## (where OR is as defined above and one of X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 is a leaving group and the other is a hydrogen atom) or a salt thereof, followed, if desired, by removal of the hydroxyl protecting group when present and/or by salt formation. The compounds of formula (1) are either anticancer agents or intermediates useful in the synthesis of anticancer agents.

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Ruislip, United Kingdom

Brian R Cowley