Readily accessible 10-tosyloxycolchicide (1) and LiX (X=Cl or Br or I)
in MeOH/BF3.Et2O at reflux give 10-chloro- (2), 10-bromo- (4), or 10-
iodocolchicide (5), in good yields. 9-Chloro- (7) and 9-bromoisocolchi
dide (8) can be similarly obtained front 9-tosyloxyisocolchidide (6) a
nd the method applies also to troponoids.