A general method has been devised for synthesizing DE and CDE ring analogs of camptothecin consisting of (a) rearrangement of a properly substituted nipecotic acid to a 3- methylene-Z-piperidone,(b) oxidation and rearrangement to the corresponding primary allylic alcohol,(c) introduction of a substituted acetic acid residue at C-4 via Claisen rearrangement, and (d) elaboration of lactone ring E by allylic oxidation and ...