Abstract: The(2R,3R)or(2S,3S)-Cephalotaxinc methyl tartrate acetonide Ⅳ or Ⅴ was prepared by the monocstcr exchange reaction of(2R,3R)or(2S,3S)-dimethyl tartrate acetonidc Ⅰ or Ⅱ with cephalotaxine Ⅲ under the catalysis of CH₃ONa Compounds Ⅳ andⅤ were hydrolyzed by F₃CCO₂H-H₂O(96:4)to give(2R,3R)and(2S,3S)-cephalotaxine methyl tartrate Ⅵ and Ⅶ,The ester exchange reaction may be employed in the preparation of the other analogues.