Process and Intermediate Compounds Useful in the Preparation of Statins, Particularly Atorvastatin

• Main Authors: WIFFEN, JONATHAN WILLIAM, MOODY, DAVID JOHN
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 20.03.2013
• Subjects: ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS; CHEMISTRY; HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS; METALLURGY; ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

There is provided a process for the preparation of a compound of formula (7) or salts thereof: wherein R 1 represents an alkyl group, R 2 represents an aryl group, R 3 represents an aryl group, and X represents a group of formula -COZ, wherein Z represents -OR 4 or NR 5 R 6 which comprises a) cyanating a compound of formula (1) to give a compound of formula (2); b) reducing the compound of formula (2) to give a compound of formula (3); c) coupling the compound of formula (3) with a compound of formula (4) to give a compound of formula (5); d) when W represents -OP 2 , deprotecting and then oxidising the compound of formula (5) to give a compound of formula (6); and e) subjecting the compound of formula (5) when W represents =O, or compound of formula (6) to ring-opening, and removal of any remaining protecting groups, to give a compound of formula (7) or salts thereof, wherein the process comprises the further step of converting X from -COZ, wherein Z represents -OR 4 , to -COZ, wherein Z represents NR 5 R 6 , by reacting the compounds of formula (4), (5), (6) or (7) with a compound of formula HNR 5 R 6 ; and/or wherein the process further comprises forming a compound of formuIa (2) or (3) wherein W represent =O by oxidising a compound of formula (2) or (3) when W represents -OP 2 and P 2 is hydrogen, or deprotecting and oxidising a compound of formula (2) or (3) when W represents -OP 2 and P 2 is a protecting group.