Using arteannuin B (2) isolated from Artemisia annua L as a starting material, a number of chemical transformations have been carried out: i.e. catalytic hydrogenation of 2 to give a mixture of 5, 6 and 7, reaction of 6 with boron trifluoride etherate gives 8 and 9, saponification of 6 with postassium hydroxide and deoxygenation of 2, 6 and 7 with iron pentacarbonyl gives 18, 4, and 3 respectively.

Key words: ANTIMALARIALS, ARTEANNUIN, CHEMICAL CHANGE