Synthesis and antitumor activity of 3'-C-methyl-daunorubicin.

Reaction of 1,5-anhydro-4-O-benzoyl-2,3,6-trideoxy-3-C-methyl-3-trifluoro-acetami no-L-lyxo-hex-1-enitol with daunomycinone in the presence of anhydrous toluene-p-sulfonic acid in benzene, followed by removal of the N- and O-protecting groups under mild conditions, gave 3'-C-methyldaunorubicin. The antitumor activity of the new anthracycline glycoside has been evaluated.