Efficient process for the production of 10-DAB III by selective hydrazinolysis of various taxanes

The present invention generally relates to the purification of a biomass extract to form useful materials. More particularly, the present invention is directed to the conversion of unwanted taxanes in a biomass extract to taxanes that can be used in the synthesis of paclitaxel. Specifically, the present invention relates to the conversion of unwanted taxanes into 10-deacetyl baccatin III, a useful precursor in the formation of paclitaxel. The present invention describes a process for producing 10-deacetyl baccatin III from a solution containing a solvent reactive with hydrazine hydrate and a spectrum of taxanes. The solution is contacted with hydrazine hydrate thereby converting some taxanes therein into 10-deacetyl baccatin III. The process can target taxanes having an ester functionality on at least one of the C-10 and C-13 positions. The hydrazine hydrate cleaves the ester functionality of the taxane solute, The process may be used to produce 10-deacetyl baccatin III from a biomass extract by contacting the biomass extract with a mixture of a solvent and a hydrazine hydrate. The solvent may have a functional group that is cleaved by hydrazine. Acetate solvents are contemplated.