| abstract |
3,5-Dihydroxypentanoic ester derivatives of formula (I): <IMAGE> (I) wherein: A represents an alkylene group which is optionally substituted by one or more alkyl groups, or an alkenylene group; Z represents a substituted or unsubstituted aryl or aryloxy group; and R represents a C1-C4 alkyl group) may be prepared by reacting a dianion of an acetoacetic ester with an aldehyde of formula Z-A-CHO (wherein A and Z are as defined above) and then reducing the resulting compound. These 3,5-dihydroxypentanoic ester derivatives have antihyperlipaemic activity and are thus valuable pharmaceuticals. |