Novel synthetic strategy for HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors

Abstract

Strategies for the synthesis of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are discussed with the emphasis on (1) asymmetric reduction of β,δ-diketo esters of a chiral auxiliary alcohol, (2) synthesis and olefination of optically pure 3,5-syn-isopropylidenedioxy-6-oxohexanoate ester, and (3) hydrometalation of 3,5-syn-isopropylidenedioxy-7-heptynoate followed by cross-coupling reaction with aryl halide.