Abstract: A process for the preparation of a compound of Formula (1) wherein Ar represents an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl or an optionally substituted heterocyclyl group comprising an aromatic moiety; and R1 and R2 each independently represent an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl or an optionally substituted heterocyclyl group; said process comprising: a) reducing a compound of Formula (2) to form a compound of Formula (3): b) activating the compound of Formula (3) to form a compound of Formula (4): wherein OX represents a leaving group; and c) coupling the compound of Formula (4) to a compound of Formula (5): to form a compound of Formula (1). A stereoselective reduction of ketones to alcohols is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a process for the preparation of a compound of formula (7): formula (7) wherein R1 represents an alkyl group; R2 represents an aryl group; R3 represents hydrogen, a protecting group or an alkyl group; and R4 represents hydrogen, a protecting group or a SO2R5 group where R5 is an alkyl group, which comprises a) hydroxylating a compound of formula (1): formula (1) wherein Y represents a halo group; P1 represents hydrogen or a protecting group, and W represents ?O or —OP2, in which P2 represents hydrogen or a protecting group, to give a compound of formula (2): formula (2) b) oxidising the compound of formula (2) to give a compound of formula (3): formula (3) c) coupling the compound of formula (3) with a compound of formula (4): formula (4) wherein R3 represents a protecting group or an alkyl group; R4 represents a protecting group or a SO2R5 group where R5 is an alkyl group; and R6 represents (PR7R8)+X? or P(?O)R7R8 in which X is an anion and R7 and R8 each independently is an alkyl, aryl, al

Abstract: There is provided a process for the preparation of a compound of formula (7) or salts thereof: wherein R1 represents a hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group, R2 represents a hydrogen or substituent group, R3 represents a hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group, and X represents a hydrogen or substituent group which comprises a) cyanating a compound of formula (1): wherein Y represents a halo group, preferably CI or Br; P1 represents hydrogen or a protecting group, and W represents =0 or —OP2, in which P2 represents hydrogen or a protecting group, to give a compound of formula (2): b) reducing the compound of formula (2) to give a compound of formula (3): coupling the compound of formula (3) with a compound of formula (4): to give a compound of formula (5): when W represents —OP2, deprotecting and then oxidising the compound of formula (5) to give a compound of formula (6): and e) subjecting the compound of formula (5) when W represents ?O, or compound of formula (6) to ring-opening, and removal of any remaining protecting