PROCESS FOT THE PREPARATION OF (4-HYDROXY-6-OXO-TETRAHYDROPYRAN-2-YL) ACETONITRILE AND DERIVATIVES THEREOF

摘要

The invention relates to a process for the preparation of (4-hydroxy-6-oxo- tetrahydro-pyran-2-yl)-acetonitrile from 6-X-substituted-methyl-4-hydroxy- tetrahydro-pyran-2-one, wherein X stands for a leaving group, by reacting 6- X- substituted-methyl-4-hydroxy-tetrahydro-pyran-2-one with a cyanide ion in water and by subsequent lowering of the pH to a pH between 0 and 5. (4-hydro xy- 6-oxo-tetrahydro-pyran-2-yl)-acetonitrile and other compounds obtainable fro m (4-hydroxy-6-oxo-tetrahydro-pyran-2-yl)-acetonitrile may suitably be used in the preparation of a pharmaceutical preparation, more in particular in the preparation of statins, more in particular in the preparation of Atorvastati ne or a salt thereof, for instance its calcium salt. The invention also relates to (4-hydroxy-6-oxo-tetrahydro-pyran-2-yl)-acetonitrile and other compounds obtainable therefrom.