A procedure to exclusively obtain 3'S-cyanoanhydrovinblastine 12 from two naturally occurring vincaalkaloids (catharanthine and vindoline) in one step with good yield is described. Stereoselective reductions of 12, providing straightforward access to three new vinca-alkaloids, including two diastereomers 3'S-cyano-(4'R,5'-dihydro)-anhydrovinblastine and 3'S-cyano-(4'S,5'-dihydro)-anhydrovinblastine as well as (3'S-aminomethyl)-(4'S,5'-dihydro)-anhydrovinblastine in good yields is also reported. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.