Patent ID: 6686481
Filing Date: 2004-02-03
Classification: A61K,A61P,C07D,Y02P

Abstract:
A process for the formation of highly purified simvastatin from lovastatin, comprising the steps of:a) lactone ring opening by reacting lovastatin with an amine to form an amid; b) protecting a 1,3-diol moiety with a protecting group; c) removing a 2-methylbutyryl group attached by an ester linkage through an oxygen at position 8 of a hexahydronaphthalene ring; d) attaching a 2,2-dimethylbutyrate group by forming an ester linkage to a hydroxyl at position 8; e) removal of the protecting group; f) conversion of the amid to an acid salt; and, g) lactone ring closing to form simvastatin.