The syntheses of l-O-acetyl-4-azido-3-chloro-L-lyxo-hexopyranose and l-O-acetyl-3-chloro-4 trifluoracetamido-L-lyxo-hexopyranose are described. These aminosugars were successfully employed for the synthesis of 4'-azido- 3'-chioro-3'-deamino-4'-deoxydaunorubicin and 3'-chioro-3'-deamino-4'-deoxy-4' tlLfluoracetamidodannorubicin. The cytotoxicity of the above-mentioned compounds is discussed.