Patent EP-0217092-B1 (EP)
IPC: C07D309/30
Filed: 1986-08-18
Granted: 1990-03-28
Abstract: 1. Claims (for the Contracting States : BE, CH, DE, FR, GB, IT, LI, LU, NL, SE) A 3-demethylmevalonic acid derivative of the formula I (delta-lactone) or la (corresponding dihydroxy carboxylic acid derivative)   see diagramm : EP0217092,P37,F1     see diagramm : EP0217092,P37,F2   in which A-B denotes a radical of the formula -CH=CH- or -CH2 -CH2 -, Z denotes a -CH2 - or -CH2 -CH2 - group, R**1 denotes a cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon radical which has 3 to 7 carbon atoms and is optionally substituted with 1 or 2 methyl groups, R**2 and R**3 denote hydrogen, halogen, trifluoromethyl, alkyl or alkoxy, each having 1-6 carbon atoms, R**4 denotes hydrogen or a straight-chain or branched C1 -C5 -alkyl radical, benzyl, benzyl which is substituted 1-2 times by C1 -C4 -alkyl or halogen, alkali metal or ammonium (NH4-+ ) or ammonium ion which is substituted with C1 -C4 -alkyl or hydroxy-C1 -C4 -alkyl. 1. Claims (for the Contracting State AT) A process for the preparation of 3-demethylmevalonic acid derivatives of the formula I (delta -lactone) and la (corresponding dihydroxy carboxylic acid derivative)   see diagramm : EP0217092,P40,F1     see diagramm : EP0217092,P40,F2   in which A-B denotes a radical of the formula -CH=CH- or - CH2 -CH2 Z denotes a -CH2 - or -CH2 -CH2 - group, R**1 denotes a cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon radical which has 3 to 7 carbon atoms and is optionally substituted with 1 or 2 methyl groups, R**2 and R**3 denote hydrogen, halogen, trifluoromethyl, alkyl or alkoxy, each having 1-6 carbon atoms, R**4 denotes hydrogen or a straight-chain or branched C1 -C5 -alkyl radical, benzyl, benzyl which is substituted 1-2 times by C1 -C4 -alkyl or halogen, alkali metal or ammonium (NH4 **+ ) or ammonium ion which is substituted with C1 -C4 -alkyl or hydroxy-C1 -C4 -alkyl, which comprises a) reaction of the phosphonium salts of the formula II   see diagramm : EP0217092,P40,F3   in which R**1 , R**2 , R**3 and Z have the meaning indicated for formula I, and X is CI, Br or I, with the chiral aldehyde of the formula III   see diagramm : EP0217092,P40,F4   in which R**5 denotes a protective group which is stable to bases and weak acids, to give a compound of the formula   see diagramm : EP0217092,P40,F5   in which R**1 , R**2 , R**3 and Z have the meaning given for formula I, R**5 has the meaning given for formula III (and A-B represents the (-CH=CH-) group), b) acid hydrolysis of the methyl acetal group in a compound of the general formula IV to give a lactol of the formula V   see diagramm : EP0217092,P41,F1   in which R**1 , R**2 , R**3 and Z have the meaning given for formula I, R**5 has the meaning given for formula III (and A-B represents the (-CH=CH-) group), c) oxidation of the compound of the general formula V to give a lactone of the formula VI   see diagramm : EP0217092,P41,F2   in which R**1 , R**2 and R**3 and Z have the meaning given for formula I, R**5 has the meaning given for formula III (and A-B represents the (-CH=CH-) group), d) elimination of the protective group R**5 in a compound of the general formula VI to give a compound of the formula I in which R**1 , R**2 , R**3 and Z have the meanings indicated for formula I, and A-B represents the (-CH=CH-) group, where appropriate hydrogenation of a compound of the general formula I in which A-B represents a (-CH=CH-) group to give a compound of the general formula I in which A-B represents a (-CH2 -CH2 -) group, it also being possible to carry out the hydrogenation on the compounds of the formula IV, V or VI to give corresponding compounds in which A-B represents the (-CH2 -CH2 -) group, where appropriate conversion of a hydroxy lactone I into the corresponding free hydroxy acids la or their salts, or, where appropriate, preparation of the corresponding ester from the free hydroxy acids la or from the hydroxy lactone I.