Process for the preparation of baccatin III analogs bearing new C2 and C4 functional groups

Process for the preparation of a derivative or analog of baccatin III or 10-desacetyl baccatin III having a C2 substituent other than benzoate and/or a C4 substituent other than acetate in which the C2 benzoate substituent and/or the C4 acetate substituent of a derivative of baccatin III or 10-desacetyl baccatin III is/are selectively reduced to the corresponding hydroxy group(s) and converted to R.sub.7 COO- and/or R.sub.8 COO-, respectively, wherein R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are independently H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkenyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkynyl, moncyclic aryl, or monocyclic heteroaryl.