3’-deamino-4’-epi-3’-hydroxy-daunorubicin and -doxorubicin synthesis and antitumor activity

3’-Deamino-4’-epi-3’-hydroxy-daunorubicin (11) and -doxorubicin (14) have been synthesized. In the in vivo murine P-388 lymphocytic leukemia assay, these two compounds were more active than daunorubicin (1) and doxorubicin (2), respectively. Comparative studies in the P-388 assay indicated 3’-deamino-3’-hydroxydoxorubicin (3) to be more active than its 4’-epimer 14.