Development of a Practical Synthesis of Novel, Pyrrole-Based HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors

This paper describes the development of an efficient and scalable second generation synthesis of novel, pyrrole-based HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Compound 1 was identified as part of a discovery program aimed at finding improved treatments for hypercholesterolemia. Herein, we describe an efficient synthesis of its highly functionalized pyrrole core followed by attachment of the 3,5-dihydroxyhexanoic acid side chain via ylide olefination chemistry.