CYCLIC KETAL DERIVATIVES

摘要

Compounds are described of formula (Ia), (Ib), wherein R<1> represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or a group selected from -OCOCH=CHCH(CH3)(CH2)3CH3, -OCOCH=CHC(CH3)=CHCH(CH3)CH2CH3 or -OCO-X-CH2CH(CH3)CH2CH3 [where X is -CH=CHCH(CH3)-, -CH2CH(OH)CH(CH3)-, -CH=CHC(OH)(CH3)-, -CH2CH(OH)CH2- or -CH2CH2CH(CH3)-]; R<2> represents a hydroxyl group, a group -OCOR<7> or a group -OCO2R<7> (where R<7> is a group selected from C1-8alkyl, aryl, arylC1-4alkyl and C3-8cycloalkyl); R<3> represents a group selected from (a) (where R<8> is a hydrogen atom or an acetyl group), -C(CH3)=CHCH(CH2R<9>)CH2Ph (where R<9> is a hydrogen or a hydroxyl group), -C(CH2OH)=CHCH(CH3)CH2Ph, -C(=CH2)CH(OH)CH(CH2OH)CH2Ph, -C(=CH2)CH(NHCOCH3)CH(CH3)CH2Ph, -C(CH2NHCOCH3)=CHCH(CH3)CH2Ph and (b); R<4>, R<5> and R<6> may each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; 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.