Abstract: The taxol® family of molecules, exemplified by taxol®,1 and baccatin III has commanded the attention of some of the most eminent synthetic organic research teams in the world.2 This intense interest has been engendered by the unusual tetracyclic structure of this class of compounds, and more importantly, by the use of taxol® in cancer chemotherapy. This outstanding combination of attractive features has stimulated a huge variety of synthetic approaches directed towards the synthesis of taxol® itself, and simpler analogues which may also have desirable anti-cancer properties.