A new synthesis of 3,5-dihydroxy-7-(1-pyrrolyl)-6-heptenoic acids, a family of HMGCoA reductase inhibitors with antifungal activity

Starting from a 3,5-dihydroxyheptanoic acid derivative, a new synthesis of pyrrole statins that contain a double bond on the dihydroxyacid chain has been developed. Key steps are N-acylamino acid enamide formation through enamine trapping with aromatic acyl chlorides and subsequent munchnone cycloaddition with activated acetylenes.