Nevel 36 derivatives (6), bonding the phenolic hydroxyl group of 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (4) with diamines through a monocarbamate linkage, were synthesized and their antitumor activity was evaluated in vivo. The derivatives were soluble in water as their HC1 salts wiht the E lactone ring intact and exhibited significant antitumor activity. One of the derivatives, 6-27 showed excellent activity against L1210 leukemia and other murine tumors.The structure of its hydrochloride trihydrate (CPT-11) was determined by spectroscopic and crystallographic methods.