John G. MacConnell

Oxidative photochemical decarboxylation of zaragozic acid A

A unique decomposition reaction of the novel squalene synthase inhibitors called zaragozic acids has been studied. Under very mild conditions, e.g. by merely exposing their solutions to air and visible light at ambient temperature, these compounds, characterized by the 2,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-4,6,7-trihydroxy-3,4,5-tricarboxylic acid core, rapidly decompose. As relatively stable intermediates in the cascade of decomposition, the biologically active 2,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-6,7-dihydroxy-4-keto-5-caroxylic acid (or 3,4-decarboxy-4-dehydro) derivatives of these compounds have been isolated in ca. 20% yield. Derivatization on the highly reactive 4-carbonyl group yields stable derivatives, several of which are potent inhibitors of squalene synthase. Further decomposition results in the elimination of C3 and C4 atoms and the carboxylic acid on C5, the oxidation of C5 to carboxylic acid and the liberation of the oxo group on C1. Specific results obtained with zaragozic acid A, a key representative of the family of these potent cholesterol-lowering agents, are presented in this study.