Novel C2-C3'N-linked macrocyclic taxoids 4 bearing an aromatic ring at position C2 were synthesized. These compounds, tethered between N3'and the C2-aromatic ring at the ortho, meta, or para position, were constructed by ring-closing metathesis. The para-substituted derivatives were unable to stabilize microtubules, whereas the ortho-and meta-substituted compounds show significant activity in cold-induced microtubule disassembly assay. The ...