Synthesis of Novel HMG‐CoA Reductase Inhibitors, I. Naphthalene Analogs of Mevinolin

Abstract

Abstract The title compounds 2 and their corresponding (6 S ) epimers 18 are prepared in several steps by starting with chiral formyl ester 5 , and α‐tetralones 10 : (1) coupling reaction with the ylide generated from 11 to yield unsaturated ester 13 , (2) reduction to the corresponding alcohol 14 , (3) addition of the Grignard reagent derived from 14 to formyl ester 5 to afford the hydroxy esters 16 and 17 , and (4) lactonization. This procedure is also used to synthesize the β‐naphthyl analogs 29 and 30 . Some results obtained from HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitor screening are also reported.