Pharma & Specialty Chemical Standards

Docetaxel, a semi-synthetic taxane diterpenoid, is a potent antineoplastic agent. Its IUPAC name is (2R,3S)-N-[(2R,3S)-3-hydroxy-2-phenyl-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoyl]-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-one, with molecular formula C₄₃H₅₃NO₁₄ and molecular weight 783.87 g/mol. Structurally, it features a tetracyclic taxane core with a side chain esterified to a dioxolane ring. Therapeutically, it is indicated for breast, non-small cell lung, and prostate cancers. Docetaxel exhibits low water solubility (logP ~3.5) and is formulated with polysorbate 80. It exerts its mechanism by binding to β-tubulin, promoting microtubule polymerization and inhibiting depolymerization, thereby arresting mitotic cell division.