A number of 12-acyl derivatives of 12-hydroxydaphnetoxin, 15,16-dihydr
o-12-hydroxydaphnetoxin, 1,2,15,16,-tetrahydro-12-hydroxydaphnetoxin a
nd their 5,20 acetonides were prepared and their activities determined
against murine P388 lymphocytic leukaemia. The saturated esters show
reduced activity compared with the natural products 2-5.