Table of Contents
What is taxol?
Taxol or paclitaxel (PTX) is a drug used in chemotherapy for the treatment of various types of cancer (ovarian, breast and lung).
It was first isolated in 1971 from a conifer (Taxus brevifolia), and in 1993 its first use in medicine was approved.
Its molecular formula is (C47H51NO14), and its IUPAC systematic name is (2α,4α,5β,7β,10β,13α)-4,10-Bis(acetyloxy)-13-{[(2R,3S)-3-(benzoylamino)-2-hydroxy-3-phenylpropanoyl]oxy}-1,7-dihydroxy-9-oxo-5,20-epoxytax-11-en-2-yl benzoate.
Structure
The main structural feature of taxol is that it has a 17-membered tetracyclic skeleton, with a total of 11 stereocenters. The active stereoisomer is (-)-taxol.
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| 3D structure |
GHS classification
Pictogram: Corrosive, irritant, health hazards.
