| abstract |
A process whereby 6-cyanomethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetic acid derivatives, which are important intermediates of an HMG coenzyme A reductase atorvastatin, can be industrially, easily and efficiently produced. This process comprises starting with a 3,5-dihydroxy-6-halohexane derivative, treating it with a cyaniding agent to thereby substitute the halogen atom with the cyano group (i.e., a cyanation reaction) and forming an acetal of a diol by using an acetal-forming agent in the presence of an acid catalyst (i.e., an acetal-formation reaction). |