A process is provided for preparing 4-alkyl- or 4-aryl-oxycarbonyl paclitaxel analogs which includes the steps of converting paclitaxel into a C-7 acylprotected paclitaxel employing an electrophilic protecting group, such as benzoyloxycarbonyl, and converting the C-7 protected analog into the 4-alkyloxycarbonyl or 4-aryloxycarbonyl paclitaxel analog. Novel intermediates produced in the process are also provided.