NOVELTY - Preparation of docetaxel (I) comprises reaction of (4S,5R)-3-tert-butoxycarbonyl-2,2-dimethyl-4-phenyl-5-oxazolidinecarboxylate compound (II) with formic acid to obtain bis((2,2,2-trichloroethoxy)carbonyloxy)-11-taxen-13alpha-yl (2R,3S)-3-amino -2-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionate compound (III), reaction of (III) with di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (1-1.5 mol) in a bi-phasic medium to obtain 11-taxen-13alpha-yl(2R,3S)-3-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-2-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionate compound (IV) and reaction with zinc in the presence of an organic acid and a ketone solvent.    USE - (I) is useful for the treatment of the malignant neoplasms such as solid tumors, and other malignancies.    ADVANTAGE - The process: provides (I) with high purity and yield; and is ecofriendly, cost-effective, and well suited for an industrial scale.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Preparation of docetaxel (I) comprises reaction of 4-acetoxy-2alpha-benzoyloxy-5beta,20-epoxy-1-hydroxy-9-oxo-7beta,10beta-bis((2,2,2-tri-chloroethoxy)carbonyloxy)-11-taxen-13alpha-yl (4S,5R)-3-tert-butoxycarbonyl-2,2-dimethyl-4-phenyl-5-oxazolidinecarboxylate (II) with formic acid at 20-40 degrees C for no more than about 2 hours, to obtain 4-acetoxy-2alpha-benzoyloxy-5beta,20-epoxy-1-hydroxy-9-oxo-7beta,10beta-bis((2,2,2-trichloroethoxy)carbonyloxy)-11-taxen-13alpha-yl (2R,3S)-3-amino -2-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionate (III), reaction of (III) with di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (1-1.5 mol) in a bi-phasic medium to obtain 4-acetoxy-2alpha-benzoyloxy-5beta,20-epoxy-1-hydroxy-9-oxo-7beta,10beta-bis((2,2,2- trichloroethoxy)carbonyloxy)-11-taxen-13alpha-yl(2R,3S)-3-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-2-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionate (IV) and reaction of (IV) with zinc in the presence of an organic acid and a ketone solvent. INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for:    (1) a process for purifying (IV) comprising combining a solution of (IV) in an organic solvent with an anti-solvent, isolating (IV) and optionally repeating the process to obtain a desired purity;    (2) a process for preparing substantially pure docetaxel comprising (I), (II) and/or (III) comprising: (1) purification in a solvent comprising a nitrile and ether: (a) dissolving the docetaxel in a solvent comprising a nitrile, (b) combining the solution of (a) with an ether and (c) isolating crystalline docetaxel; (2) purification using a ketone, halogenated hydrocarbon and/or ester, and toluene: (a) combining docetaxel with a ketone, halogenated hydrocarbon and/or ester, (b) adding toluene to the solution or suspension, and (c) isolating crystalline (I); (3) purification using a ketone solvent and an ether: (a) dissolving (I) in a ketone solvent, (b) adding ether to the solution, and isolating crystalline (I); and    (3) the compound (I) containing less than about 0.15 wt.% of 4-acetoxy-2alpha-benzoyloxy-5beta,20-epoxy-1-hydroxy-9-oxo-7beta-hydroxy-11-taxen-13alpha-yl(2R,3S)-3-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-2-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionate (V) and 4-acetoxy-2alpha-benzoyloxy-5beta,20-epoxy-1-hydroxy-9-oxo-10beta-hydroxy-11-taxen-13alpha-yl(2R,3S)-3-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-2-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionate (VI).