CYCLIC KETAL DERIVATIVES

摘要

Compounds are described of formula (I), wherein R1 represents a hydroxyl group or a group selected from -OCOCH=ECHCH(CH¿3?)(CH2)3CH3, -OCOCH=?E¿CHC(CH¿3)=?ECHCH(CH¿3?)CH2CH3 or -OCO-X-CH2CH(CH3)CH2CH3[where X is -CH=?E¿CHCH(CH¿3?)-, -CH2CH(OH)CH(CH3)-, -CH=?E¿CHC(OH)(CH¿3?)-, -CH2CH(OH)CH2- or -CH2CH2CH(CH3)-]; R?2¿ represents a hydroxyl group; R3 represents a group selected from (a) (where R8 is a hydrogen atom or an acetyl group), -C(CH¿3)=?ECHCH(CH¿2R?9)CH2Ph where R9 is a hydrogen or a hydroxyl group), -C(CH¿2OH)=?ZCHCH(CH¿3?)CH2Ph, -C(=CH2)CH(OH)CH(CH2OH)CH2Ph, -C(=CH2)CH(NHCOCH3)CH(CH3CH2Ph, -C(CH2NHCOCH3)=?E¿CHCH(CH¿3?)CH2Ph and (b); R?4 and R5¿ may each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R?6 and R7¿ may each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C¿1-4?alkyl group; or R?6¿ represents a hydrogen atom and R7 represents a group -C(=Y)NH¿2? where Y is an oxygen or sulphur atom or NH; and salts thereof. These compounds inhibit the enzyme squalene synthase and/or are intermediates for the preparation of compounds which inhibit the enzyme squalene synthase. Compounds of the invention may be formulated for use in a variety of conditions where a lowering of the level of blood plasma cholesterol in animals would be beneficial and for use in combating fungal infections in animals.