Malic acid (I) was protected as the 1,2-O-isopropylidene derivative (II) upon treatment with acetone in the presence of acid catalyst. Condensation of (II) with paclitaxel (III) using diisopropylcarbodiimide and DMAP produced the 2'-ester (IV). After hydrolytic cleavage of the isopropylidene protecting group of (IV), conversion to the corresponding sodium carboxylate salt furnished the title compound.