Lactone Pathway to Statins Utilizing the Wittig Reaction. The Synthesis of Rosuvastatin

The first entry to statins via lactonized side chain is reported, exemplified by the synthesis of rosuvastatin. The key step is Wittig coupling of (2S,4R)-4-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)6-oxotetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-carbaldehyde and phosphonium salt of an appropriately functionalized pyrimidine heterocycle. One-pot deprotection and hydrolysis of the resulting 4-O-TBS rosuvastatin lactone provided rosuvastatin in high yield.