PURPOSE: To economically and stereoselectively obtain the subject compound useful as a synthetic intermediate for a HMG-CoA-reductase-inhibiting agent acting as an anticholesteremia agent in a short process in a short process by oxidatively decomposing a specific optically active compound.
CONSTITUTION: An optically active β,δ-dihydroxy acid ester-1,2-diol derivative of formula I (R is H, 1-8C alkyl, silyl, etc.; R1, R2 are hydroxyl-protecting group, or R1 and R2 together form a ring; R3 is 1-8C alkyl, aralkyl, etc.,) or its enantiomer is oxidatively decomposed e.g. with sodium metaperiodate in THF at room temperature. The starting compound of formula II is preferably obtained by reacting a compound of formula III (R4 is hydroxyl-protecting group) or its enantiomer with an acetoacetic acid ester of formula IV in the presence of two or more equivalents of a base, stereoselectively reducing the obtained compound of formula V, protecting the hydroxyl groups of the product and subsequently removing the protecting groups.
TAKAHASHI KYOKO
HIYAMA TAMEJIROU
OBARA YOSHIO
NISSAN CHEMICAL IND LTD