A New Method for the Synthesis of Antihypercholesterolemic Agent Simvastatin

✍ Scribed by Kadir Dabak; Mustafa Adiyaman

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2003
• Tongue: German
• Weight: 69 KB
• Volume: 86
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0018-019X
• DOI: 10.1002/hlca.200390066

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

A new synthetic method for the preparation of the cholesterol‐lowering drug simvastatin from the naturally occurring lovastatin is reported. The synthesis employs first the protection of the OH group of lovastatin (1) and then the protection of the lactone CO group to prevent enolization via conversion to the orthoesters 4a and 4b. Alkylation of the 2‐methylbutyrate side chain is then successfully achieved. Removal of the protecting groups affords antihypercholesterolemic agent simvastatin (2).