Decaline based HMC-COA reductase inhibitors with two C-6 substituents

Compounds of either of general formulae I and II: ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, a, b, c, and d are variables. These compounds are useful in the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia in general and arteriosclerosis, familial hypercholesterolaemia or hyperlipidaemia in particular.

This invention relates to pharmaceutically active compounds, which are 
substituted decalins. The compounds of the present invention are 
inhibitors of the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase 
(HMG-GoA reductase), the rate limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of 
chloesterol in mammals including man, and as such are useful in the 
treatment of hypercholesterolaemia and hyperlipidaemia. Clinical evidence 
shows that reduction of serum cholesterol levels leads to a decreased risk 
of heart disease. 
The natural fermentation products compactin (disclosed by A. Endo, et al. 
in Journal of Antibiotics, 29, 1346-1348 (1976)) and mevinolin (disclosed 
by A. W. Alberts, et al. in J. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 77, 3957 
(1980)) are very active antihypercholesterolaemic agents which limit 
cholesterol biosynthesis by inhibiting the enzyme 
3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, the 
rate-limiting enzyme and natural point of cholesterolgenesis regulation in 
mammals, including man. Compactin (R=H, a=double bond) and mevinolin 
(R=--CH.sub.3, a=double bond; also known as lovastatin) have the 
structures shown below: 
##STR2## 
Also known in the art are the natural products dihydrocompactin (R=H, 
a=single bond) disclosed by Y. K. T. Lam et al., Journal of Antibiotics, 
34, 614-616 (1981), dihydromevinolin (R=--CH.sub.3, a=single bond) 
disclosed by G. Albers-Schonberg et al., Journal of Antibiotics, 34, 
507-512 (1981), and eptastatin (R=.beta.-OH, a=double bond) disclosed by 
N. Serizawa et al., in Journal of Antibiotics, 36, 604-607 (1983). 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,293,496 (Willard) discloses a number of semisynthetic 
analogues of mevinolin having the structure 
##STR3## 
where the dotted lines represent single or double bonds and R is C.sub.1-8 
straight chain alkyl, C.sub.3-10 branched chain alkyl except (S)-2-butyl, 
C.sub.3-10 cycloalkyl, C.sub.2-10 alkenyl, C.sub.1-10 CF.sub.3 substituted 
alkyl, halophenyl, phenyl C.sub.1-3 alkyl and substituted phenyl C.sub.1-3 
alkyl. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,444,784, U.S. Pat. No. 4,661,483, U.S. Pat. No. 4,668,699 
and U.S. Pat. No. 4,771,071 (Hoffman) disclose compounds of similar 
structure where the R group contains extra functional groups, for example 
ether, amide and ester groups. 
In J. Med. Chem., 29, 849-852 (1986), W. F. Hoffman et al. report the 
synthesis and testing of a number of the analogues referred to above, the 
preferred compound (now known as simvastatin) having the structure 
##STR4## 
EP-A-0251625 (Inamine) discloses compounds of structure 
##STR5## 
where R is similar to the corresponding group in the compounds described 
above, R.sup.1 is a group of formula CH.sub.2 OH, CH.sub.2 OCO.R.sup.3, 
CO.sub.2 R.sup.4 or CO.NR.sup.6 R.sup.7 wherein R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.6, 
and R.sup.7 can cover a range of alkyl, alkoxy, or aryl groups, and the 
dotted lines represent single or double bonds. Only one of these 
compounds, in which R.sup.1 is CH.sub.2 OCO.NHPh, R is 1,1-dimethylpropyl 
and a and c are double bonds has a disclosed activity better than that of 
mevinolin. In general, the above patent publications also cover compounds 
in which the delta lactone has been hydrolysed to a delta hydroxy acid or 
a salt of that acid. 
EP-A-0142146 discloses compounds of structure 
##STR6## 
where E is --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --, --CH.dbd.CH-- or --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 
-- and Z is (amongst others) a substituted decalin system of the same form 
as in those compounds referred to above. 
EP-A-0323867 discloses the compound 
6(R)-[2-[8(S)-(2,2-dimethylbutyryloxy)-2(S)-6,6-di-methyl-1,2,3,4,4a-(S)5, 
6,7,8,8a(S)decahydronapthyl-1(S)]ethyl]-4-R-hydroxy-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro 2H 
pyran-2-one. 
None of the cited patents and articles disclose or suggest the possibility 
of preparing the compounds of the present invention. The unique pattern of 
substituents on the decalin ring system differs from the cited art, whilst 
the compounds exhibit potent HMG-CoA activity. 
The present invention provides novel decalin based compounds which are 
potent inhibitors of the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A 
(HMG-CoA) reductase and, therefore, are useful in the treatment or 
prevention of hypercholesterolaemia, hyperlipoproteinaemia and 
atherosclerosis. 
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a compound 
of either of general formulae I and II: 
##STR7## 
wherein: R.sup.1 represents a C.sub.1-8 alkyl, C.sub.3-8 cycloalkyl, 
C.sub.3-8 cycloalkyl(C.sub.1-8)alkyl, C.sub.2-8 alkenyl, or C.sub.1-6 
alkyl substituted phenyl group; 
R.sup.2 represents a C.sub.1-8 alkyl, C.sub.2-8 alkenyl, or a C.sub.2-8 
alkynyl group or a C.sub.1-5 alkyl, C.sub.2-5 alkenyl, or C.sub.2-5 
alkynyl group substituted with a substituted phenyl group; 
R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent R.sup.4 or M; 
R.sup.4 represents a C.sub.1-5 alkyl group, or a C.sub.1-5 alkyl group 
substituted with a group chosen from substituted phenyl, dimethylamino and 
acetylamino; 
R.sup.5 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl or ethyl group, except that 
when both R.sup.2 and R.sup.6 represent a methyl group then R.sup.5 is not 
methyl; 
R.sup.6 represents a C.sub.1-8 alkyl, C.sub.2-8 alkenyl or a C.sub.2-8 
alkynyl group or a C.sub.1-5 alkyl, C.sub.2-5 alkenyl or C.sub.2-5 alkynyl 
group substituted with a substituted phenyl group; 
M represents a cation capable of forming a pharmaceutically acceptable 
salt; 
Q represents C.dbd.O or CHOH; and 
each of a, b, c, and d is independently a single or double bond except that 
when a and c are double bonds then b is a single bond. 
The term "C.sub.1-8 alkyl" refers to a straight or branched chain alkyl 
moiety having one to eight carbon atoms, including for example, methyl, 
ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, sec-butyl, pentyl, dimethyl-propyl, 
hexyl, and octyl, and cognate terms (such as "C.sub.1-8 alkoxy") are to be 
construed accordingly. Similarly, the term "C.sub.1-5 alkyl" refers to a 
straight or branched chain alkyl moiety having one to five carbon atoms 
(such as methyl or ethyl). 
The term "C.sub.3-8 cycloalkyl" refers to a saturated alicyclic moiety 
having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms arranged in a ring and includes, for 
example, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, and cyclooctyl. 
The term "C.sub.2-8 alkenyl" refers to a straight or branched chain alkyl 
moiety having one to eight carbon atoms and having in addition at least 
one double bond, of either E or Z stereochemistry where applicable. This 
term would include, for example, vinyl, 1-propenyl, 1-and 2-butenyl and 
2-methyl-2-propenyl. 
The term "C.sub.2-8 alkynyl" refers to a straight or branched chain alkyl 
moiety having one to eight carbon atoms and having in addition at least 
one triple bond. This term would include, for example, propargyl, and 
1-and 2-butynyl. 
The term "substituted", as applied to a phenyl or other aromatic ring, 
means substituted with up to four substituents each of which independently 
may be C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy, hydroxy, thiol, amino, halo 
(including fluoro, chloro, bromo, and iodo), trifluoromethyl or nitro. 
The phrase "a pharmaceutically acceptable salt" as used herein and in the 
claims is intended to include non-toxic alkali metal salts such as sodium, 
potassium, calcium and magnesium, the ammonium salt and salts with 
non-toxic amines such as trialkylamines, dibenzylamine, pyridine, 
N-methylmorpholine, N-methylpiperidine and other amines which have been or 
can be used to form salts of carboxylic acids. 
There are several chiral centres in the compounds according to the 
invention because of the presence of asymmetric carbon atoms. The presence 
of several asymmetric carbon atoms gives rise to a number of 
diastereoisomers with the appropriate R or S designated stereochemistry at 
each asymmetric centre. General Formulae I and II and, where appropriate, 
all other formulae in this specification are to be understood to include 
all such stereoisomers and mixtures (for example racemic mixtures) 
thereof. 
Disregarding any asymmetric centres that may be present in the groups 
R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.6, the preferred relative and 
absolute stereochemistry is as shown in formulae IIIA and IIIB, mutatis 
mutandis. More specifically for the compounds IIIA and IIIB the Cahn, 
Ingold, Prelog designations for the absolute configurations are 4'(R), 
6'(R), 1(S), 2(S), 4a(R), 8(S), 8a(S). 
##STR8## 
It is preferred that all of the compounds of general formulae I and II 
should have (wherever possible) the same spacial orientation of groups at 
each chiral carbon atom and therefore belong to the same stereochemical 
series. The R-S designation for each centre may not be identical to that 
found for compound IIIA and IIIB because of the details of the sequence 
rules for determining that designation. Clearly in compounds in which a or 
b are double bonds then the carbon atom labelled C-4a will not be an 
asymmetric centre, and in compounds of Formula II in which Q is the group 
C.dbd.O then the carbon atom labelled C-6' is not an asymmetric centre. 
Compounds of the formula IIIB are preferred. 
In compounds of Formula II in which Q is the group CHOH, the preferred 
stereochemistry is that in which the two carbon atoms bearing the hydroxy 
groups have the same spacial arrangement as the corresponding carbon atoms 
in the lactone in compound IIIA. The preferred isomer is referrred to as 
the syn diol. 
Each M is preferably free from centres of asymmetry and is more preferably 
sodium, potassium or ammonium, and most preferably sodium. For simplicity, 
each formula in which an M appears has been written as if M were 
monovalent and, preferably, it is. However, M may also be divalent or 
trivalent and, when it is, it balances the charge of two or three 
carboxylic acid groups, respectively. Thus Formula II and every other 
formula containing an M embraces compounds wherein M is divalent or 
trivalent, e.g. compounds containing two or three mono 
carboxylate-containing anions per cation M. 
Preferred compounds include those in which independently or in any 
combination: 
R.sup.1 represents C.sub.4-6 branched alkyl; 
R.sup.2 represents C.sub.2-6 alkenyl or C.sub.2-5 alkenyl optionally 
substituted with substituted phenyl; 
R.sup.3 is R.sup.4 ; 
R.sup.4 represents C.sub.1-5 alkyl (and more preferably methyl or ethyl) or 
M; 
R.sup.6 represents C.sub.1-5 alkyl; 
Q represents CHOH; and/or 
b and d are both single bonds, and one or both of a and c are double bonds. 
A preferred subgroup of compounds of either general formula I or of general 
formula II are those wherein R.sup.1 represents a C.sub.4-6 branched alkyl 
group; R.sup.2 represents a C.sub.2-6 alkenyl group; each of a and c 
independently represents a single or double bond; and each of b and d 
represents a single bond. Alternatively or in addition R.sup.6 represents 
a C.sub.1-5 alkyl group (e.g. methyl). 
Particularly preferred compounds of this subgroup are those wherein R.sup.1 
represents a C.sub.4-5 branched alkyl group; R.sup.2 represents 
(E)-prop-1-enyl; and R.sup.5 represents methyl. Illustrative compounds 
are: 
(A) (1S,2S,4aR,6S,8S,8aS,4'R,6'R)-6'-{2-(1,2,4a,5, 
6,7,8,8a-octahydro-2,6-dimethyl-8-[(2",2"-dimethyl-1"-oxobutyl)oxy]-6-[(E) 
-prop-1-enyl]-1-naphthalenyl) ethyl}-tetra-hydro4'-hydroxy-2H-pyran-2'-one 
(B) Sodium (1S,2S,4aR,6S,8S,8aS,3'R,5'R)-7'-(1,2, 
4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro-2,6-dimethyl-8-[(2",2"-dimethyl-1'-oxobutyl)oxy]-6 
-[(E) -prop-1-enyl]-1-naphthalenyl)-3', 5'-dihydroxyheptanoate 
(C) Methyl (1S,2S,4aR,6S,8S,8aS,3'R,5'R)-7'-(1,2, 
4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro-2,6-dimethyl-8-[(2",2"-dimethyl-1"-oxobutyl)oxy]-6 
-[(E)-prop-1-enyl]-1-naphthalenyl)-3',5'-dihydroxyheptanoate 
(D) Methyl (1S,2S,4aR,6S,8S,8aS,3'R)-7'-(1,2,4a,5, 
6,7,8,8a-octahydro-2,6-dimethyl-8-[(2",2"-dimethyl-1"-oxobutyl)oxy]-6-[(E) 
-prop-1-enyl]-1-naphthalenyl)-3'-hydroxy-5'-oxoheptanoate 
For simplicity the compounds of Formula II may be subdivided according to 
the exact form of R.sup.3 and Q. Thus the compounds in which Q is the 
group C.dbd.O and R.sup.3 is M or hydrogen (which may be represented by Y) 
are considered to be compounds of the subgroup IIe, whereas if R.sup.3 is 
a group of formula R.sup.4 the ketones are in the subgroup IIa. Compounds 
in which Q is the group CHOH and R.sup.3 is a group of form R.sup.4 make 
up the subgroup IIb, when R.sup.3 is hydrogen the compounds are of 
subgroup IIc, and when R.sup.3 is a group of formula M the compounds are 
of the subgroup IId.

The compounds of the various subgroups IIa-IId of general formula II 
(hereafter referred to as general formulae IIa to IId), and those of 
general formula I, may be prepared by the general reaction route shown in 
Scheme I in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and M are as 
previously defined. Unless the context otherwise requires, substituents in 
the general formulae in Schemes I and II have the same values as the 
corresponding substituents in general formulae I and II. 
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a process 
for the preparation of a compound of either of general formulae I and II, 
the process comprising: 
(a) deprotecting and optionally reducing a compound of general formula XIV 
as shown in Scheme II to form a compound of general formula IIa; or 
(b) when R.sup.5 represents methyl, deprotecting a compound of general 
formula LXXIII to form a compound of general formula I; and 
(c) optionally after step (a) or (b) converting a compound of general 
formula I or IIa directly or indirectly into another compound of general 
formula I or II. 
A ketone of general formula IIa may be reduced to a dihydroxy ester of 
general formula IIb by reduction of the ketone group with a reducing 
agent, such as those well known in the art, e.g. sodium borohydride, 
sodium cyanoborohydride, zinc borohydride, lithium tri-s-butylborohydride 
or other similar reducing agents that will not reduce the ester 
functionality. Preferably, the reaction is carried out in such a manner as 
to maximize the production of the preferred syn isomer of the compound of 
general formula IIb. The stereoselective reduction of compounds of general 
formula IIa is preferably carried out in two stages, in the first stage 
the ketone ester is reacted with a trialkylborane, preferably tri-n-butyl 
borane, or an alkoxydialkylborane, preferably methoxydiethylborane or 
ethoxydiethylborane (Chemistry Letters, 1987, 1923-1926) at ambient 
temperature in an inert organic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, diethyl 
ether, or 1,2-dimethoxyethane, and optionally in the presence of a protic 
solvent such as methanol or ethanol, and preferably in a mixture of 
tetrahydrofuran and methanol. The complex which is thus produced is then 
reduced with sodium borohydride at a temperature between -78.degree. C. 
and -20.degree. C. The resulting compound of general formula IIb produced 
from the stereoselective reduction contains two asymmetric carbon atoms 
bearing hydroxyl groups in a syn configuration. Thus reduction of the 
ketone radical under the conditions described herein produces mostly the 
syn isomers of compounds of general formula IIb and only a small amount of 
the less preferred anti isomers. 
The ratio of isomers produced will vary according to the specific compound 
utilized and the reaction conditions employed. Normally, this ratio will 
be approximately 9:1 to 9.8:0.2. However, the use of a non-specific 
reduction method will normally produce a near 1:1 mixture of 
diastereoisomers. Nevertheless, the mixture of isomers may be separated 
and purified by conventional techniques and then converted to the 
compounds of general formula I in a conventional manner well-known to 
those skilled in the art. 
Compounds of general formula IIb may be cyclised to the corresponding 
lactones of general formula I for example by heating in an inert organic 
solvent such as benzene, toluene or xylene and azetropically removing the 
alcohol which is produced. Preferably, the lactonisation is carried out by 
heating the compound of general formula IIb with an acid, preferably 
p-toluenesulphonic acid, in benzene or toluene, evaporating the solvent 
and alcohol thus formed, and repeating the process until all of the 
compound of general formula IIb has been consumed. If the relative 
stereochemical configuration of the two carbon atoms bearing the hydroxy 
groups are established as syn in general formula IIb, then lactonisation 
will produce the preferred trans lactone of general formula I, otherwise 
the lactonization will produce a mixture of trans and cis lactones. 
A compound of general formula IId may be prepared from a compound of 
general formula IIb or a compound of general formula I by hydrolysis, 
preferably hydrolysis with a base such as lithium hydroxide, sodium 
hydroxide or potassium hydroxide in a mixture of water and an organic 
solvent such as methanol, ethanol or tetrahydrofuran at a temperature 
between 0.degree. C. and 50.degree. C. inclusive, preferably at ambient 
temperature. The cation in compounds of general formula IId is usually 
determined by the cation of the hydroxide employed; however, the cation 
may then be exchanged for another cation for example by treatment with 
ion-exchange resin. 
Compounds of general formula IIc may be obtained from compounds of general 
formula IId by neutralisation, for example careful neutralisation with a 
mineral acid such as hydrochloric, sulphuric or nitric in aqueous 
solution, followed by extraction with an appropriate organic solvent. 
Alternatively, the acids of general formula IIc may be obtained by 
treating compounds of general formula IId with an ion exchange resin. If 
the acids of general formula IIc are allowed to stand in solution they 
slowly re-lactonise to the compounds of general formula I. This process 
may be accelerated by heating a solution of the acid under conditions that 
remove the water formed, such as in a Dean-Stark apparatus, or by stirring 
the solution with a drying agent such as anhydrous sodium sulphate, 
magnesium sulphate or molecular sieves. 
Lactones of general formula I may, if desired, be hydrolysed in the 
presence of an alcohol and a catalytic amount of acid, preferably 
p-toluenesulphonic acid, to produce compounds of general formula IIb. 
Compounds of general formulae I, IIb, IIc and IId may be converted to 
compounds of general formula I in which the ester group containing R.sup.1 
has been exchanged for another ester group, for example via a de-acylated 
intermediate using the methodology of U.S. Pat. No. 4,444,784. Thus a 
compound of general formula I, IIb, IIc or IId may be treated for extended 
periods, for example 1-3 days, with an alkaline metal hydroxide such as 
lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide in a solvent 
such as water or an alcohol, and preferably a mixture of water and 
ethanol, until the ester group containing the group R.sup.1 is removed. 
Mild acid treatment then closes the lactone ring to give an alcohol of 
general formula IV. The secondary alcohol of general formula IV is then 
selectively protected with a t-butyldimethylsilyl group under standard 
conditions to give an intermediate alcohol of general formula V, as shown 
in Scheme I. Acylation, for example using an acid halide or anhydride in 
the presence of a mild base such as triethylamine or pyridine, or by using 
an acid and an activating agent such as a carbodiimide and optionally 
using N,N-dimethylaminopyridine as a catalyst, in an inert solvent such as 
chloroform, followed by deprotection of the secondary hydroxyl group using 
tetrabutylammonium fluoride in tetrahydrofuran, buffered with acetic acid, 
gives a compound of general formula I in which the original group R.sup.1 
has been exchanged for a different group of formula R.sup.1. 
A ketone of general formula IIa may be prepared by the methods outlined in 
Scheme II, in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.4, and R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are 
as previously described, and P.sup.1, P.sup.2 and R.sup.11 are defined 
below. 
Compounds of Formula IIa wherein d is a double bond may be prepared by 
removing the protecting group P.sup.2 from compounds of formula XIV. This 
may be achieved in the preferred cases in which P.sup.2 is trialkylsilyl 
or alkyldiarylsilyl by the use of conditions that generate fluoride 
anions, and preferably by using tetrabutyl-ammonium fluoride in 
tetrahydrofuran buffered with acetic acid or hydrofluoric acid in aqueous 
acetonitrile. 
Compounds of Formula IIa wherein d is a single bond may be obtained from 
compounds of Formula IIa wherein d is a double bond by reduction of the 
carbon-carbon double bond of the enone system, using reagents and 
conditions that do not affect the other functional groups present. 
Examples of such reagents are sodium hydrogen telluride, triphenyltin 
hydride, or tri-n-butyltin hydride with a palladium or platinum catalyst. 
Compounds of Formula IIa wherein d is a single bond may also be prepared 
from enones of general formula XIV by reduction of the double bond 
followed by deprotection. For example it is possible to reduce the double 
bond in one reaction by treatment with such mixtures as tri-n-butyltin 
hydride with a palladium or platinum catalyst, or with a trialkylsilane, 
preferably triethylsilane, and a catalyst such as 
tris(triphenylphosphine)rhodium chloride [Wilkinson's catalyst] either 
neat, using an excess of the silane, or in an inert hydrocarbon solvent 
such as benzene or toluene at a temperature between ambient and reflux, 
preferably 50.degree.-70.degree. C. The crude silyl enol ether thus 
produced is treated with hydrofluoric acid in aqueous acetonitrile to give 
the compound general formula IIa in which d is a single bond. 
However, the preferred method of transformation of compounds of general 
formula XIV is to treat the enone with a reducing agent, preferably sodium 
hydrogen telluride in an alcoholic solvent such as methanol or ethanol, 
and optionally in the presence of a mild buffer such as ammonium chloride, 
until the starting material is consumed. The protected alcohol thus 
produced may be purified in the usual way, or used crude, and then the 
compound may be treated with hydrofluoric acid in aqueous acetonitrile to 
give the compound general formula IIa in which d is a single bond. 
Compounds of general formula IIe may be prepared from compounds of general 
formula IIa by hydrolysis with a base such as lithium hydroxide, sodium 
hydroxide or potassium hydroxide in a mixture of water and an organic 
solvent such as methanol, ethanol or tetrahydrofuran at a temperature 
between 0.degree. C. and 50.degree. C., preferably ambient temperature. 
The cation in compounds of general formula IIe is usually determined by 
the cation of the hydroxide employed; however, the cation may then be 
exchanged for another cation by treatment with, for example, ion-exchange 
resins. Compounds where R.sup.3 is a hydrogen atom can be made by 
neutralisation of the solvent mixture and/or of the cationic compounds. 
Compounds of general formula IIa may be used as intermediates in the 
production of compounds of general formulae IIb-e and of general formula I 
as detailed in Scheme I, or they may be used as HMG-CoA reductase 
inhibitors in their own right. 
In compounds of general formulae I and II, the group R.sup.2 may be 
modified to produce different compounds within the general formulae. Among 
the modifications that can be made are included reducing alkynes to 
alkenes, reducing alkenes to alkanes, isomerising between E and Z alkenes 
and/or moving double and/or triple bonds once within the chain. 
An enone of general formula XIV may be prepared from an aldehyde of general 
formula XII by reaction with a phosphonate of general formula XIII in 
which R.sup.11 is a lower (e.g. C.sub.1-8 or, preferably, C.sub.1-4) alkyl 
group such as methyl or ethyl, and the group P.sup.2 is any group suitable 
for the protection of hydroxyl groups, but preferably trialkylsilyl or 
alkyldiarylsilyl. The reaction between the aldehyde of general formula XII 
and the phosphonate of general formula XIII may if convenient be carried 
out in either of the following two ways. In a first method the aldehyde of 
general formula XII and phosphonate of general formula XIII are reacted 
together in the presence of a chelating metal halide such as lithium 
chloride or magnesium bromide and a mild organic base such as 
triethylamine or 1,8-diazabicyclo[4.5.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) in an inert 
solvent such as acetonitrile or dimethylsulphoxide at ambient temperature. 
In a second method the phosphonate XIII is first treated with a strong 
organic base such as lithium diisopropylamide or lithium or sodium 
bis(trimethylsilyl)amide in an inert organic solvent such as diethyl ether 
or tetrahydrofuran at a temperature between -78.degree. C. and 0.degree. 
C., the aldehyde of general formula XII added at the same temperature, and 
the mixture allowed to warm to ambient temperature, all under an inert 
atmosphere. 
An aldehyde of general formula XII may be prepared from an alcohol of 
general formula X by oxidation, for example by conventional oxidation 
reagents such as pyridinium chlorochromate or pyridinium dichromate, or by 
using a catalytic quantity of tetra-n-propylammonium per-ruthenate and 
N-methylmorpholine N-oxide, in an inert organic solvent such as 
dichloromethane or tetrahydrofuran, but preferably the oxidation is 
carried out using Swern's protocol. An intermediate alcohol of general 
formula X may be prepared for example in either of two ways from a diol of 
general formula VII. In the first method the diol of general formula VII 
is acylated for example by treatment with an excess of an acid anhydride 
((R.sup.1 CO).sub.2 O) or acid halide (R.sup.1 CO.Hal) in the presence of 
a catalyst such as N,N-dimethylaminopyridine, and a base such as 
triethylamine or pyridine until both hydroxyl groups in the compound of 
general formula VII have reacted. The diacylated compound of general 
formula XI is then hydrolysed for example by treatment with an alkali 
metal hydroxide such as lithium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or sodium 
hydroxide in a solvent such as water or an alcohol, or a mixture of such 
solvents, at a temperature between 0.degree. C. and ambient for a time 
suitable to maximise the production of the alcohol X. 
In the second and preferred of the two exemplary methods, the diol of 
general formula VII is treated under conditions that will selectively 
protect the primary alcohol, for example either as an ester or an ether. 
Such conditions are well known to one skilled in the art, but the 
preferred conditions are to treat with one equivalent of a 
trialkylsilylchloride or alkyldiarylsilylchloride in the presence of 
imidazole and, optionally, a mild organic base such as triethylamine or 
pyridine, and preferably using dichloromethane or chloroform as a solvent. 
The product of such a reaction will be a compound of general formula VIII 
wherein P.sup.1 is a trialkylsilyl or alkyldiarylsilyl moiety or other 
protective group. The compound of general formula VIII is then acylated, 
for example using the conditions described above, that is treatment with 
the appropriate acid halide (R.sup.1 CO.Hal) or preferably the anhydride 
((R.sup.1 CO).sub.2 O) using a mild organic base such as triethylamine or 
pyridine and optionally using a catalyst such as 
N,N-dimethylaminopyridine. The resulting intermediate, a compound of 
general formula IX, may then be deprotected to give an alcohol of general 
formula X using such conditions as are appropriate for the removal of the 
group P.sup.1, without affecting the rest of the molecule. For the removal 
of the preferred trialkylsilyl or alkyldiarylsilyl groups, the preferred 
methods are to use tetrabutylammonium fluoride in an inert solvent such as 
tetrahydrofuran, or hydrofluoric acid in aqueous acetonitrile at ambient 
temperature. However, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art 
that other methods are available for the removal of these preferred 
groups, or that other protecting groups may be used in the transformation 
of a diol of general formula VII to an alcohol of general formula X. 
Intermediate compounds of general formula XIV may also be synthesised from 
the protected alcohols of general formula XV using the sequence of 
reactions shown in Scheme III, in which R.sup.2, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, 
R.sup.11 and P.sup.2 are as previously defined, and P.sup.3 is defined 
below. 
An intermediate of general formula XIV may be prepared from an enone of 
general formula XVIII by acylation, for example using conventional means. 
Thus, a compound of general formula XIV may be prepared by treating an 
alcohol of general formula XVIII with an acid chloride or bromide (R.sup.1 
CO.Hal), or preferably an anhydride ((R.sup.1 CO).sub.2 O) in the presence 
of a mild organic base such as pyridine or triethylamine, and preferably 
using a catalyst such as N,N-dimethylaminopyridine, either neat or in an 
inert solvent, preferably dichloromethane or chloroform at a temperature 
between 0.degree. C. and reflux. Alternatively the transformation may be 
carried out using the acid (R.sup.1 CO.sub.2 H) and a coupling reagent 
such as a carbodiimide and a catalyst such as N,N-dimethylaminopyridine, 
in an inert solvent and preferably at ambient temperature. 
An enone of general formula XVIII may be prepared from an aldehyde of 
general formula XVII and a phosphonate of general formula XIII as defined 
above for example by using a chelating metal halide such as lithium 
chloride or magnesium bromide and a mild organic base such as 
triethylamine or DBU in an inert organic solvent, preferably acetontrile 
or dimethylsulphoxide, at a temperature from 0.degree. C. to ambient and 
preferably under an inert atmosphere. 
To prepare an aldehyde of general formula XVII, an alcohol of general 
formula XV, in which the group P.sup.3 is any group suitable for the 
protection of alcohols, (preferably trialkylsilyl or alkyldiarylsilyl) may 
be oxidised to an aldehyde of general formula XVI for example by 
conventional means such as pyridinium chlorochromate or pyridinium 
dichromate, or by using a catalytic quantity of tetra-n-propylammonium 
per-ruthenate (TPAP) in the presence of N-methylmorpholine N-oxide in an 
inert solvent, preferably dichloromethane, but most preferably by using 
Swern's protocol. The protecting group P.sup.3 may then be removed by any 
appropriate method (but in the preferred case where P.sup.3 is 
trialkylsilyl or alkyldiarylsilyl, the group may be removed by any method 
that generates fluoride ions, and preferably using hydrofluoric acid in 
aqueous acetonitrile, at ambient temperature under an inert atmosphere) to 
give a hydroxy aldehyde of general formula XVII. 
Intermediate alcohols of general formulae VII and XV useful in the 
syntheses outlined in Schemes II and III may be prepared as shown in 
Scheme IV, in which R.sup.2, R.sup.5 and P.sup.3 are as previously 
defined, R.sup.10 is lower (e.g. C.sub.1-8) alkyl, and R.sup.9 is as 
defined below. 
An intermediate alcohol of general formula XV may be prepared by reduction 
of the ester group in a compound of general formula XXI, for example using 
conventional reagents such as lithium aluminium hydride, 
diisobutylaluminium hydride or lithium triethylborohydride in an inert 
organic solvent such as diethyl ether or tetrahydrofuran, at ambient 
temperature to reflux, under an inert atmosphere. The alcohol of general 
formula XV may then be used as outlined in Scheme III or may be 
deprotected to give an alcohol of general formula VII, which may then be 
used as in Scheme II. The deprotection may be carried out by any means 
suitable for removal of the group P.sup.3, but in the preferred cases in 
which the group P.sup.3 is a trialkylsilyl or alkyldiarylsilyl group, the 
reaction is preferably carried out using hydrofluoric acid in aqueous 
acetonitrile, at ambient temperature. 
Alternatively, an alcohol of general formula VII may be prepared from an 
ester of general formula XXI by firstly removing the protecting group 
P.sup.3 and then reducing the ester group in the compound of general 
formula XXII so formed to the alcohol. The deprotection of a compound of 
general formula XXI to give a compound of general formula XXII may be 
carried out in a manner similar to the deprotection of an alcohol of 
general formula XV, in cases where P.sup.3 is one of the preferred groups 
by treatment with hydrofluoric acid in aqueous acetonitrile, and the 
reduction of a compound of general formula XXII to a compound of general 
formula VII may be carried out in a similar manner to the reduction of an 
ester of general formula XXI to an alcohol of general formula XV by using 
a (for example conventional) reducing agent in an inert solvent such as 
diethyl ether or tetrahydrofuran. It is within the capabilities of one of 
ordinary skill in the art to select the best alternative of those detailed 
above, according to the exact nature of the groups R.sup.10 and P.sup.3. 
An intermediate of general formula XXI may be prepared from an aldehyde of 
general formula XX by reaction with an ylid of general formula XXVIII or a 
compound of the formula R.sup.9 CHHal (Hal=halogen, e.g. iodine) in which 
R.sup.9 is C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.2-6 alkenyl, C.sub.2-6 alkynyl, or 
C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.2-3 alkenyl, or C.sub.2-3 alkynyl substituted with 
substituted phenyl. This is suitable achieved in an inert organic solvent, 
preferably tetrahydrofuran, at a temperature between -78.degree. C. and 
ambient. However, a mixture of THF and DMF may be employed instead. It 
should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the exact 
combination of reaction conditions such as solvent, temperature, and 
reagents used may be varied to produce predominantly one isomer about the 
newly formed double bond. For example, generation of the ylid by treating 
ethyl triphenyl-phosphonium bromide with sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)-amide 
in tetrahydrofuran, at -78.degree. C., then addition of the aldehyde and 
allowing the mixture to warm to ambient temperature gives a compound in 
which the newly created alkene is entirely cis --CH.dbd.CHMe. However, if 
the ylid is generated using lithium bis(trimethyl-silyl)amide, then a 
mixture of cis and trans isomers is obtained. This mixture may be carried 
through the synthetic sequence described above to give a mixture of 
compounds of general formula I or II, or, preferably, separated using 
standard techniques and the individual components utilised according to 
the schemes. 
An aldehyde of general formula XX may also be used to introduce acetylenic 
unsaturation into the group R.sup.2 in compounds of the invention. For 
example, any of the following schemes may be appropriate: 
##STR9## 
The acetylene R--C.dbd.CH can then be deprotonated and substituted with an 
appropriate electrophilic radical. Scheme (c) is preferred, using lithium 
amalgam, as a strong base is not required under these conditions. 
Acetylenes may also be produced by reacting a compound of general formula 
XXII (R--HC.dbd.CH--R') with Br.sub.2 /CCl.sub.4 and then with NaNH.sub.2 
in NH.sub.3 or DMSO to form a compound of the general formula 
R--HC.dbd.CH--R', which may subsequently be used as a compound of general 
formula XXII, although reaction conditions should be selected 
appropriately to avoid unwanted effects on the ring double bond. 
An aldehyde of general formula XX may be prepared from an alcohol of 
general formula XIX by oxidation, for example using conventional reagents 
such as pyridinium dichromate or pyridinium chlorochromate, or by using a 
catalytic quantity of tetra-n-propylammonium per-ruthenate (TRAP) in the 
presence of N-methylmorpholine N-oxide, in an inert organic solvent, 
preferably dichloromethane or chloroform at a temperature between 
0.degree. C. and ambient; the transformation is most preferably achieved 
by using Swern's protocol. 
Intermediate esters of general formula XXII may also be produced by the 
reactions outlined in Scheme V, in which R.sup.5, R.sup.9, and R.sup.10 
are as defined previously, and R.sup.12 is defined below. 
An alcohol of general formula XXV may be reduced to an intermediate of 
general formula XXII for example by treatment with sodium amalgam in an 
alcohol such as methanol or ethanol, and preferably buffered using a 
phosphate salt such as dipotassium (or disodium) hydrogen phosphate. 
Alternatively, an alcohol of general formula XXV may be acylated for 
example with an acid anhydride ((R.sup.12 CO).sub.2 O) or acyl halide 
(R.sup.12 CO.Hal) and a mild organic base such as pyridine or 
triethylamine, and preferably using N,N-dimethylaminopyridine as a 
catalyst, in an inert solvent, preferably dichloromethane or chloroform, 
to give an intermediate ester of general formula XXVI in which R.sup.12 
may be C.sub.1-5 alkyl, fluorinated C.sub.1-5 alkyl, or substituted 
phenyl, but is preferably methyl, ethyl or phenyl. The acylated compound 
of general formula XXVI may then be transformed to an alcohol of general 
formula XXII in the same way that a compound of general formula XXV may be 
transformed as discussed above, that is for example by treatment with 
sodium amalgam in a buffered alcoholic solvent. 
A keto-sulphone of general formula XXIV may be produced from a lactone of 
general formula XXIII by reaction with an anion or dianion of a sulphone 
of general formula XXVII, in an inert organic solvent, preferably 
tetrahydrofuran, at -78.degree. C. to ambient temperature under an inert 
atmosphere. Reduction of the ketone group in a compound of general formula 
XXIV, which may be carried out using conventional reagents such as sodium 
borohydride, cerium borohydride, lithium triethylborohydride, or lithium 
aluminium hydride in an inert organic solvent from 0.degree. C. to ambient 
temperature, and preferably using sodium borohydride in methanol or 
ethanol at ambient temperature, then gives an alcohol of general formula 
XXV. The alcohol of general formula XXV thus produced is a mixture of 
diastereoisomers which may be used as a mixture, or separated and used 
individually. 
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the exact combination of 
reaction conditions and reagents used may be varied to produce 
predominantly one isomer about the newly formed double bond. For example, 
in the case in which R.sup.9 is methyl, elimination of the alcohol of 
general formula XXV gave material in which the trans:cis ratio about the 
new double bond was approximately 6:1. It is within the capabilities of 
one skilled in the art to select conditions, and to choose between the 
routes outlined in Schemes IV and V, in order to maximise the production 
of the desired isomer of esters of general formula XXII. Esters of general 
formula XXII may then be used to produce compounds of general formulae I 
or II as detailed in Schemes I to III. 
Keto-sulphones of general formula XXIV may also be used to introduce 
acetylenic unsaturation by reaction first with (EtO).sub.2 P(O)Cl and a 
mild base and then reduction with sodium amalgam to produce the acetylene 
analogue of a compound of general formula XXII (R--HC.dbd.CH--R'). This 
constitutes a preferred method of synthesis of acetylenes as it avoids the 
need for a strong base. 
Another method of obtaining the intermediate esters of general formula XXI 
is outlined in Scheme VI in which R.sup.5, R.sup.10, and P.sup.3 are as 
previously defined, and R.sup.8 and L are defined below. 
An ester of general formula XXI may be obtained by treating an intermediate 
of general formula XXIX in which L represents a leaving group such as 
tosyl, mesyl, trifluoromethylsulphonyl, or halide (particularly iodide) 
with an organometallic reagent that will deliver the group R.sup.8 (where 
R.sup.8 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-7 alkyl, C.sub.1-7 alkenyl, C.sub.1-7 
alkynyl, or C.sub.1-4 alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl substituted with 
substituted phenyl) in such a manner that it may be formally represented 
as a carbanion, in an inert solvent such as diethyl ether or 
tetrahydrofuran, at a temperature between -78.degree. C. and reflux, under 
an inert atmosphere. 
Examples of suitable organometallic reagents are lithium 
triethylborohydride, methyl lithium, phenyl lithium, methyl magnesium 
bromide, lithium acetylide, vinyl lithium, dimethyl copper lithium or 
other higher order or lower order copper reagents. The exact form of the 
organometalic reagent used depends on the form of the leaving group 
present in general formula XXIX, and on the other functionality present in 
the group R.sup.8. 
Alternatively, in the case where R.sup.8 represents hydrogen, the compound 
of general formula XXI may be obtained from a compound of general formula 
XXIX in which L represents iodide by treatment with a hydrogen radical 
source, for example tributyl tin hydride in an inert solvent such as 
benzene or toluene. 
An intermediate of general formula XXIX may be prepared from an alcohol of 
general formula XIX for example using conventional, well-known procedures. 
Compounds of general formula I in which R.sup.5 is methyl may also be 
obtained from known compounds of general formulae LXX and LXXI 
(EP-A-0251625), using the methods outlined in reaction Scheme VII in which 
R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and L are as previously defined. 
Lactones of general formula I may be obtained from the protected lactones 
of general formula LXXIII preferably by treatment with tetrabutylammonium 
fluoride in tetrahydrofuran buffered with acetic acid at ambient 
temperature. 
A lactone of general formula LXXIII may be obtained by treating an 
intermediate of general formula LXXII with an organometallic, preferably 
organocopper, reagent that will deliver the group R.sup.8 (as previously 
defined) in such a manner that it may be formally represented as a 
carbanion, for example, dimethyl copper lithium or other higher order or 
lower order copper reagents, in an inert solvent such as diethyl ether or 
tetrahydrofuran, at a temperature between -78.degree. C. and ambient, 
under an inert atmosphere. The exact form of the organometalic reagent 
used depends on the form of the leaving group present in general formula 
LXXII, and on the other functionality present in the group R.sup.8. 
An intermediate of the general formula LXXIII may also be prepared from an 
aldehyde of the general formula aldehyde LXXI by reaction with an ylid of 
general formula XXVIII, as defined previously, in an inert organic 
solvent, preferably tetrahydrofuran, at a temperature between -78.degree. 
C. and ambient. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that 
the exact combination of reaction conditions such as solvent, temperature, 
and reagents used may be varied to produce predominantly one isomer about 
the newly formed double bond in the group R.sup.2. Any mixture of double 
bond isomers may be carried through the synthetic sequence to give 
compounds of general formula I or II, or (preferably) separated using 
standard techniques and the individual components utilised according to 
the schemes. 
An intermediate of general formula LXXII may be prepared from an alcohol of 
general formula LXX for example using conventional, well-known procedures. 
Intermediates of general formulae XIX and XXIII in which R.sup.5 is methyl, 
R.sup.10 is ethyl and P.sup.3 is a t-butyldimethylsilyl group, a and b are 
both single bonds and c is a double bond, are known in the literature. (J. 
Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun., 1987, 1986). Those intermediates in which 
R.sup.5, R.sup.10 and P.sup.3 are other groups within the appropriate 
definitions may be prepared using routes analogous to the known route, but 
using the appropriately different starting materials. Such a change is 
within the scope of one skilled in the art. Methods for the introduction 
of a second double bond at a, isomerising to give a single double bond at 
a or b, or reducing to give a, b and c as single bonds in compounds with 
structures similar to the compounds of general formulae I, II, IV, V, VII 
to XII, XIV to XXIX and LXX to LXXIII are known in the art (for examples, 
see Tetrahedron 1986, 42, 4909-4951 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,293,496). Some of 
these methods may use reagents that under certain conditions deleteriously 
affect at least some of compounds of general formulae I, II, IV, V, VII to 
XII, XIV to XXIX and LXX to LXXIII; however, other methods may be suitable 
for the required transformations in some or all of the compounds of 
general formulae I, II, IV, V, VII to XII, XIV to XXIX and LXX to LXXIII. 
Thus it is within the capabilities of one skilled in the art to select 
appropriate methodology for the interconversion of compounds wherein a, b 
and c may be single or double bonds (subject to the restrictions mentioned 
in the description), in order to obtain compounds of general formula I or 
II with the required single or double bonds at a, b or c. 
A phosphonate of general formula XIII in which R.sup.4 and R.sup.11 are 
methyl and P.sup.2 is a t-butyldimethylsilyl group is known in the art (J. 
Org. Chem., 1988, 53, 2374-2378). Compounds of general formulae XXVII and 
XXVIII are commercially available or are readily available from 
commercially available materials using known or analogous methods. 
Lactones of general formula XXIII can be used to prepare the corresponding 
carboxylate compounds of general formula XXXIV, in a decyclisation 
reaction using a C.sub.1-8 alkoxy alkali metal compound. 
An acylating agent can then be used to provide the R'CO.O. substituent 
(compounds of general formula XXXIII) present in the final compounds of 
general formula I and II. Reduction with a reducing agent yields a 
compound of general formula XXXII. Treatment with an oxidising agent (to a 
compound of the general formula XXXI) converts the carboxylic acid group 
to an aldehyde group. 
Conversion to a compound of general formula XXX can be achieved by reaction 
with a compound of the formula R.sup.9 CHHal (Hal=halogen, e.g. iodine) in 
the presence of a transition metal (e.g. Cr(II)). Compounds of the general 
formula X can then be obtained by reaction with a reducing agent. 
Compounds of general formula XXXIV can also be used to prepare compounds of 
general formula XXXV by first protecting the free hydroxy group with a 
protecting group P.sup.3 as previously defined. The intermediates of 
general formula XIX can then be obtained by treatment with a reducing 
agent. This is shown in scheme 9, but is not suitable for when R.sup.6 
represents an alkyl group. 
In general, reagents are used in sufficient quantities completely to 
convert starting materials to products but to be themselves substantially 
consumed during the course of the reaction. However the amounts may often 
be varied as is evident to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, 
in a reaction of two compounds one of which is not readily available and 
one of which is, an excess of the readily available compound may be used 
to drive the reaction further towards completion (unless the use of an 
excess would increase the synthesis of an undesired compound). Likewise, 
most of the temperature ranges given in the preceding descriptions are 
merely exemplary, and it is within the ability of one of ordinary skill in 
the art to vary those that are not critical. 
The reaction times set forth in the preceding description are also merely 
exemplary and may be varied. As is well-known, the reaction time is often 
inversely related to the reaction temperature. Generally, each reaction is 
monitored, for example by thin layer chromatography, and is terminated 
when at least one starting material is no longer detectably present, or 
when it appears that no more of the desired product is being formed. 
Conventional work-up procedures have generally been omitted from the 
preceding descriptions. 
As utilised in the preceding descriptions, the term "solvent" embraces 
mixtures of solvents and implies that the reaction medium is a liquid at 
the desired reaction temperature. It should, therefore, be understood that 
not all of the solvents listed for a particular reaction may be utilised 
for the entire cited temperature range. It should also be understood that 
the solvent must be at least substantially inert to the reactants 
employed, intermediates generated and end products under the reaction 
conditions utilised. 
The term "inert atmosphere", as utilised in the preceding descriptions, 
means an atmosphere that does not react with any of the reactants, 
intermediates or end products or otherwise interfere with the reaction. 
While a carbon dioxide atmosphere is suitable for certain reactions, the 
inert atmosphere is usually nitrogen, helium, neon, or argon, or a mixture 
thereof, and most often dry argon to maintain anhydrous conditions. Most 
reactions, including those where the use of an inert atmosphere is not 
specified, are carried out under an inert atmosphere, usually dry argon, 
for convenience. 
The product of each reaction may, if desired, be purified by conventional 
techniques such as recrystalisation (if a solid), column chromatography, 
preparative thin layer chromatography, gas chromatography (if sufficiently 
volatile), fractional distillation under high vacuum (if sufficiently 
volatile) or high pressure (performance) liquid chromatography (HPLC). 
Often, however, the crude product of one reaction may be employed in the 
following reaction without purification or even without isolation. 
Some reactions, particularly those utilising strong bases or reducing 
agents, require anhydrous solvents. Where this is the case solvents may be 
dried before use using conventional techniques and an inert atmosphere 
used. 
Some of the reactions described above may yield mixtures of two or more 
products, only one of which leads to the desired compound of general 
formula I or II. Any mixture so obtained may be separated by conventional 
techniques such as those set forth in the preceding paragraphs. 
Certain of the intermediate compounds described above are believed to be 
novel, in particular compounds of general formulae IV, XIV and LXXIII. All 
other intermediate comounds in which either or both of R.sup.2 and R.sup.5 
are not methyl are also believed to be novel. 
Compounds of this invention are useful as antihypercholesterolaemic agents 
for the treatment of arteriosclerosis, hyperlipidaemia, familial 
hypercholesterolaemia and the like diseases in humans. 
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is therefore provided a 
compound of general formula I or II for use in medicine, particularly as 
antihypercholesterolaemic agents. 
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided the use of 
a compound of general formula I or II in the preparation of an 
antihypercholesterolaemic agent. Compounds of the invention can therefore 
be used in a method for the treatment or prophylaxis of 
hypercholesterolaemia in general and arteriosclerosis, familial 
hypercholesterolaemia or hyperlipidaemia in particular comprising 
administering to a patient an effective dose of a compound of general 
formula I or II or a mixture thereof. 
According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a 
pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of general formula I or 
II, or a mixture thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier 
therefor. 
A sixth aspect of the present invention relates to a process for the 
preparation of a pharmaceutical composition of the fifth aspect, the 
process comprising admixing the carrier and a compound of the general 
formula I and/or II. 
Preferred features of the one aspect of the invention are as for the first 
mutatis mutandis. 
Compounds of general formula I and II may be administered orally or 
rectally or parenterally in the form of a capsule, a tablet, an injectable 
preparation or the like. It is usually desirable to use the oral route. 
Doses may be varied, depending on the age, severity, body weight and other 
conditions of human patients but daily dosage for adults is within a range 
of from about 2 mg to 2000 mg (preferably 5 to 100 mg) which may be given 
in one to four divided doses. Higher doses may be favourably employed as 
required. 
The compounds of this invention may also be co-administered with 
pharmaceutically acceptable nontoxic cationic polymers capable of binding 
bile acids in a non-reabsorbable form in the gastrointestinal tract. 
Examples of such polymers include cholestyramine, colestipol and 
poly[methyl-(3-trimethylamino-propyl)iminotrimethylene dihalide]. The 
relative amounts of the compounds of this invention and these polymers is 
between 1:100 and 1:15000. 
The intrinsic HMG-CoA reductase inhibition activity of the claimed 
compounds may be measured in in vitro protocols described in detail in the 
Examples below. 
Included within the scope of this invention is the method of treating 
arteriosclerosis, familial hypercholesterolaemia or hyperlipidaemia which 
comprises administering to a subject in need of such treatment a nontoxic 
therapeutically effective amount of the compounds of Formulae I or II or 
pharmaceutical compositions thereof. 
Compounds of general formula IV may also show HMG-CoA reductase inhibition 
activity and so may be included in the pharmaceutical aspects of the 
invention. 
The following examples show representative compounds encompassed by this 
invention and their syntheses. However, it should be understood that they 
are for the purposes of illustration only. 
Organic solutions were dried over sodium sulphate or magnesium sulphate, 
and evaporated under reduced pressure. NMR spectra were recorded at 
ambient temperature in deuteriochloroform at 250 MHz for proton and 62.5 
MHz for carbon unless noted otherwise. All chemical shifts are given in 
parts per million relative to tetramethylsilane. Infra red spectra were 
recorded at ambient temperature in solution in chloroform, or in the solid 
state in a potassium bromide disc as noted. 
Chromatography was carried out using Woelm 32-60 m silica. 
EXAMPLE 1 
Methyl 
(1S,2S,4aR,6S,8S,8aS,3'R)-7'-(1,2,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro-2,6-dimethyl-8-[ 
(2",2"-dimethyl-1"-oxobutyl)oxy]-6-[(E)-prop-1-enyl]-1-naphthalenyl)-3'-hyd 
roxy-5'-oxoheptanoate 
##STR10## 
Step 1 
Ethyl (1S,2S,4aR,6S,8S,8aS) 
8-(tert-Butyldimethylsilyloxy)-6-formyl-2,6-dimethyl-1,2,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-oct 
ahydronaphthalene-1-carboxylate (XX) 
Acetic acid (11 microL) was added to a suspension of ethyl 
(1S,2S,4aR,6S,8S,8a) 
8-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-6-hydroxymethyl-2,6-dimethyl-1,2,4a,5,6,7,8 
,8a-octahydronaphthalene-1-carboxylate (general formula XIX) (39 mg, 0.1 
mmol), finely ground pyridinium dichromate (56 mg) and 3 A molecular 
seives (40 mg) in dry dichloromethane under argon, and the mixture stirred 
for 100 minutes. Diethyl ether (10 mL) was added, the suspension filtered 
through celite and silica, then the solvent evaporated to leave the 
aldehyde (XX) as an oil (37 mg). delta H-0.1 (3H, s), 0.08 (3H, s), 0.84 
(3H, d, J 7 Hz), 0.85 (9H, s), 0.94 (3H, s), 1.27 (3H, t, J 7 Hz), 1.4-1.6 
(3H, m), 2.14-2.46 (3H, m), 2.58-2.68 (1H, m), 2.67 (1H, dd, J 11 and 6 
Hz), 4.0-4.24 (2H, m), 4.38 (1H, m), 5.46 (1H, d, J 10 Hz), 5.54 (1H, ddd, 
J 10, 4 and 2.5 Hz), 9.47 (1H, d, J 2 Hz) 
Step 2 
Ethyl (1S, 2S, 4aR, 6S, 8S, 8aS) 1, 2, 4a, 5, 6, 7, 8, 
8a-octahydro-2,6-dimethyl-8-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-6-(E)-prop-1-enyl 
naphthalene-1-carboxylate (XXI) 
THF (90 mL) was added to chromium (II) chloride (5.3 g, 43 mmol) under an 
argon atmosphere. After stirring the mixture until a fine suspension 
resulted a solution of the aldehyde (XX) (2.2 g, 5.38 mmole) and 
1,1-diiodoethane (3.05 g, 10.8 mmole) in THF (30 mL) was added. The 
reaction mixture was then stirred for 16 hours, water (200 mL) was added 
and stirring continued for 5 minutes. The THF was removed under vaccuum 
and the aqueous mixture extracted with ether (3.times.100 mL). The 
combined ethereal layers were washed with brine (100 mL), dried and 
evaporated to leave a green oil. This was purified by chromatography 
eluting with ether, to give the olefin (XXI) as a colourless oil (2.21 g). 
TLC: Rf 0.34 (hexane:ethyl acetate, 19:1) 
Step 3 
(1S, 2S, 4aR, 6S, 8S, 8aS)-1, 2, 4a, 5, 6, 7, 8, 
8a-octahydro-8-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-1-hydroxymethyl-2,6-dimethyl-6 
-((E)-prop-1-enyl)naphthalene (XV) 
A solution of the ester from the previous step (2.21 g, 5.38 mmole) in dry 
THF (25 mL) was added dropwise to a stirred solution of lithium aluminium 
hydride in dry THF (1M, 10.7 mmole) under argon. After twenty hours, the 
suspension was cooled in an ice bath and water (1 mL) was added dropwise, 
followed by sodium hydroxide solution (15%, 1 mL) and water (3 mL). The 
mixture was filtered, the solid washed with diethyl ether and the organics 
evaporated under reduced pressure to leave the crude alcohol (1.90 g) as 
an oil which was used without purification in the next step. 
Step 4 
(1S,3S,4aR,6S,8S,8aS)-1-Hydroxy-8-hydroxymethyl-3,7-dimethyl-1,2,3,4, 
4a,7,8,8a-octahydro-3-((E)-prop-1-enyl)naphthalene (VII) 
The alcohol from the previous step (1.90 g) was stirred at room temperature 
under argon in 19:1 acetonitrile: aqueous hydrofluoric acid (40%) (50 ml) 
for 46 hours. Saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution (200 ml) was 
added, and the mixture extracted with ethyl acetate (3.times.200 mL). The 
organic solution was dried (MgSO.sub.4) and the solvent removed to give a 
gum which was purified by chromatography on silica eluting with ethyl 
acetate:hexane (3:7) to give the diol (VII) (1.09 g). 
Step 5 
(1S, 2S, 4aR, 6S, 8S, 8aS)-1-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)oxymethyl-1, 2, 4a, 
5, 6, 7, 8, 8a-octahydro-8-hydroxy-2,6-dimethyl-6-((E)-prop-1-enyl) 
naphthalene (VIII) 
t-Butyldimethylsilyl chloride (0.74 g, 4.92 mmole) was added in portions to 
a stirred solution of the diol from the previous step (1.07 g, 4.28 mmole) 
and imidazole (0.386 g, 5.4 mmole) in dry dichloromethane (20 mL). The 
mixture was stirred for 18 hours then partitioned between dichloromethane 
(200 mL) and 0.5M hydrochloric acid (25 mL). The organic phase was 
separated and washed successively with water (100 mL), saturated sodium 
bicarbonate solution (100 mL) and brine (50 mL) then dried and evaporated 
to give the crude monosilyl ether as a gum (1.53). 
Step 6 
(1S, 2S, 4aR, 6S, 8S, 8aS, 2'S)-1, 2, 4a, 5, 6, 7, 8, 
8a-octahydro-2,6-dimethyl-8-[(2',2'-dimethyl-1'-oxobutyl)oxy]-6-[(E)-prop- 
1-enyl]naphthalene-1-carbaldehyde (XII) 
2,2-Dimethylbutyryl chloride (3.39 g, 5.37 mmole) and 
4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP; 90 mg) were added to a solution of alcohol 
from the previous step (1.53 g, 4.2 mmole) in dry pyridine (50 mL) and the 
solution heated to 100.degree. C. for 16 hours under argon. The mixture 
was cooled and the solvent evaporated. The residue was partitioned between 
diethyl ether (150 mL) and 0.5M hydrochloric acid (75 mL). The organic 
phase was separated and washed with water (50 mL) and saturated sodium 
bicarbonate solution (50 mL), then dried and evaporated to give the 
acylated product (IX) as a gum which was purified by chromatography on 
silica, eluting with ethyl acetate:hexane (1.49). 
A solution of the silylated ester (IX) prepared above (296 mg, 0.64 mmole) 
in 40% aqueous HF:acetonitrile (1:19) (6.4 mL) was stirred for 80 minutes 
then saturated sodium bicarbonate solution (20 mL) and ethyl acetate (50 
mL) added, the aqueous phase separated and further extracted with ethyl 
acetate (50 mL). The combined organic layers were dried and evaporated to 
leave the alcohol (X) as a gum, (213 mg), which was used directly in the 
next stage. 
Acetic acid (70 microL) was added to a suspension of the alcohol (X) 
prepared in the previous stage (213 mg, 0.6 mmol), finely ground 
pyridinium dichromate (345 mg) and 3 A molecular sieves (213 mg) in dry 
dichloromethane (6 mL) under argon, and the mixture stirred for 30 
minutes. Diethyl ether (50 mL) was added, the suspension filtered through 
celite and silica, then the solvent evaporated to leave the aldehyde (XII) 
as an oil (204 mg). 
Step 7 
Methyl (1S, 2S, 4aR, 6S, 8S, 8aS, 3'R)-7'-(1, 2, 4a, 5, 6, 7, 8, 
8a-octahydro-2,6-dimethyl-8-[(2",2"-dimethyl-1"-oxobutyl)oxy]-6[(E)-prop-1 
-enyl-1-]naphthalenyl)-3'-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy-5'-oxohept-6'-enoate 
(XIV) 
A solution of lithium hexamethyldisilazide in tetrahydrofuran (1.0M, 0.62 
mmole) was added dropwise to a cold (-70.degree. C.) stirred solution of 
methyl 3(R)-(t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-5-oxo-6-(dimethylphosphonyl) 
hexanoate (general formula XIII; 263 mg, 0.68 mmole) in THF (0.3 mL) under 
argon. After 15 minutes, a solution of aldehyde (XII) (95 mg, 0.3 mmole) 
in THF (0.3 mL) was added, the solution allowed to warm to room 
temperature and stirred for 64 hours. The reaction was quenched with 
saturated ammonium chloride solution (5 mL) and extracted with 
dichloromethane (3.times.10 mL), which was dried and evaporated to leave a 
gum. Purification by column chromatography eluting with ethyl 
acetate:hexane (1:20), gave the enone (XIV) (45 mg). 
Step 8 
Methyl 
(1S,2S,4aR,6S,8S,8aS,3'R)-7'-(1,2,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro-2,6-dimethyl-8-[ 
(2",2"-dimethyl-1"-oxobutyl)oxy]-6-[(E)-prop-1-enyl]-1-naphthalenyl)-3'-hyd 
roxy-5'-oxoheptanoate 
A solution of methyl (1S, 2S, 4aR, 6S, 8S, 8aS, 3'R)-7'-(1, 2, 4a, 5, 6, 7, 
8, 
8a-octahydro-2,6-dimethyl-8-[(2",2"-dimethyl-1"-oxobutyl)oxy]-6-[(E)-prop- 
1-enyl]-1-naphthalenyl)-3'-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy-5'-oxohept-6'-enoate 
(general formula XIV) (57 mg, 0.099 mmol) and ammonium chloride (280 mg, 
5.2 mmol) in deoxygenated ethanol was stirred at room temperature under 
argon, and sodium hydrogen telluride solution (0.26M in ethanol, 2.0 mL, 
0.52 mmol) was added. A further quantityies of the telluride was added 
after 3 hours (2.0 mL). After stirring for a further 20 minutes the 
solvent was evaporated and the residue partitioned between dichloromethane 
(4.times.25 mL) and saturated ammonium chloride solution (20 mL). The 
organic layer was dried and the solvent evaporated to leave a clear oil 
(52 mg). 
The oil was taken up in 1 mL of 19:1 acetonitrile:aqueous hydrofluoric acid 
(40%), the mixture stirred for 70 minutes at room temperature, then 
diluted with ethyl acetate (25 mL). After washing with saturated aqueous 
sodium bicarbonate solution (10 mL) and brine (10 mL), the organic 
solution was dried and evaporated to leave a yellow oil, which was 
purified by chromatography eluting with hexane:ethyl acetate (7:3) to 
leave the alcohol as a white solid (41 mg, 84%). 
delta H 0.79-0.86 (6H, m), 0.94 (3H, s), 0.98-1.75 (8H, m), 1.12 (3H, s), 
1.13 (3H, s), 1.62 (3H, dd, J=6.3 and 1.4 Hz), 1.83 (1H, br d, J=13 Hz), 
2.02 (1H, d, J 15 Hz), 2.1-2.3 (2H, m), 2.4-2.5 (2H, m), 2.50 (2H, d, J 6 
Hz), 2.6 (2H, d, J 5.3 Hz), 3.38 (1H, br m), 3.70 (3H, s), 4.43 (1H, m), 
5.13 (1H, m), 5.25-5.38 (1H, obscured double quartet, J 15.7 and 6.3 Hz), 
5.4 (1H, br d, J 10.3 Hz), 5.53 (1H, br d, J 15.8 Hz), 5.62 (1H, ddd, J 
9.6, 4.8, and 2.5 Hz) 
EXAMPLE 2 
Methyl 
(1S,2S,4aR,6S,8S,8aS,3'R,5'R)-7'-(1,2,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro-2,6-dimethyl 
-8-[(2",2"-dimethyl-1"-oxobutyl)oxy]-6-[(E)-prop-1-enyl]-1-naphthalenyl)-3' 
,5'-dihydroxyheptanoate 
##STR11## 
A solution of triethylborane (1.0M in THF; 0.096 mmole) was added to a 
stirred solution of MeOH (0.19 mL) in THF (0.77 mL) under argon. After 1 
hour, the mixture was cooled to -70.degree. C., and a solution of the 
ketone of example 1 (38 mg, 0.084 mmole) in THF:MeOH (4:1, 0.96 mL) was 
added dropwise and stirred a further 1 hour. Sodium borohydride (3.5 mg, 
0.092 mmole) was added rapidly under argon, the solution stirred for 2.5 
hours, then warmed to room temperature and quenched with saturated 
ammonium chloride solution (1 mL). The mixture was stirred for 15 minutes, 
acidified with 2M hydrochloric acid (1 mL) and extracted with ethyl 
acetate (3.times.10 mL). The combined ethyl acetate extracts were washed 
with sodium bicarbonate solution, dried and evaporated to give the diol as 
a gum (35 mg, 92%). 
delta H 0.8-0.9 (6H, m), 0.94 (3H, s), 1.0-2.0 (24H, m), 2.3 (1H, m), 2.5 
(1H, m), 2.50 (2H, d, J 6 Hz), 3.73 (3H, s), 3.8 (1H, m), 4.25 (1H, m), 
5.15 (1H, m), 5.25-5.38 (1H, obscured double quartet, J 15.7 and 6.3 Hz), 
5.4 (1H, br d, J 10.3 Hz), 5.53 (1H, br d, J 15.8 Hz), 5.62 (1H, ddd, J 
9.6, 4.8, and 2.5 Hz) 
EXAMPLE 3 
(1S,2S,4aR,6S,8S,8aS,4'R,6'R)-6'-{2-(1,2,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro-2,6-dimeth 
yl-8-[(2",2"-dimethyl-1"-oxobutyl)oxy]-6-[(E)-prop-1-enyl]-1-naphthalenyl)e 
thyl}-tetrahydro-4'-hydroxy-2H-pyran-2'-one 
##STR12## 
A solution of the diol of example 2 (35 mg, 0.071 mmole) in 19:1 
acetonitrile:aqueous hydrofluoric acid (40%) (1.42 mL) was stirred for 4 
hours then neutralised with sodium bicarbonate solution. The mixture was 
extracted with ethyl acetate (3.times.20 mL), dried and evaporated to 
leave a gum (28 mg), which was purified by column chromatography eluting 
with ethyl acetate:hexane (1:1) to give the lactone as a gum (23 mg, 70%). 
delta H 0.82-0.88 (6H, m), 0.95 (3H, s), 0.99-2.01 (14H, m), 1.3 (3H, s), 
1.14 (3H, s), 1.64 (3H, dd, J 6 and 1 Hz), 2.33 (1H, m), 2.48 (2H, m), 
2.61 (1H, br dd, J 17, and 3.6 Hz), 2.73 (1H, dd J 17 and 5 Hz), 4.36 (1H, 
m), 4.60 (1H, m), 5.15 (1H, m), 5.25-5.34 (1H, dq, J 16 and 6 Hz), 5.4 
(1H, br d, J 10.3 Hz), 5.53 (1H, br d, J 15.8 Hz), 5.62 (1H, ddd, J 9.6, 
4.8 and 2.5 Hz) 
delta C 176.3, 169.0, 138.5, 131.0, 129.3, 118.2, 74.9, 68.5, 61.2, 42.5, 
42.2, 41.6, 40.4, 37.1, 35.8, 34.6, 34.0, 31.5, 31.4, 31.2, 30.5, 29.9, 
23.2, 21.9, 16.9, 13.5, 7.8 
EXAMPLE 4 
Sodium 
(1S,2S,4aR,6S,8S,8aS,3'R,5'R)-7'-(1,2,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro-2,6-dimethyl 
-8-[(2",2"-dimethyl-1"-oxobutyl)oxy]-6-[(E)-prop-1-enyl]-1-naphthalenyl)-3' 
,5'-dihydroxyheptanoate 
##STR13## 
The lactone of example 3 (3.7 mg, 8.0 micromole) was dissolved in 0.068M 
sodium hydroxide solution in 2:1 methanol:water (125 microL, 8.5 
micromole) and left at room temperature for 18 hours. Evaporation of the 
solvent left the salt as a gum.