| abstract |
This invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarylcoenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors which contain a 4-hydroxy-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-one moiety, such as compactin and mevinolin, by utilizing an alkyl 5(S),6-epoxy-3(R)-(alkoxy)hexanoate as a chiral synthon for the stereospecific introduction of the 4-hydroxy-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-one moiety. |