Abstract: 7-Substituted lower alkyl hept-6-enoates and 4-hydroxy-tetrahydropyran-2-ones bearing 6-olefinic substituents (E), (Z), ethyl erythro-3,5-dihydroxy-7-phenyl-hept-6-enates are prepared by a multi-step process involving lower alkyl 3,5-dihydroxy-hept-6-enates. The final products are useful as anti hypercholesteremic agents.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula I: ##STR1## wherein each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is, independently, (a) alkyl having from 1 to 22 carbon atoms; or(b) of the formula ##STR2## in which m is 0, 1 or 2, and each of R' and R" is independently a hydrogen atom, alkyl having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, alkoxy having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or halo having an atomic weight of from about 19 to 127; and R is of an aralkyl-, phenyl- tryptophanyl- or benzocycloalkyl-type, are obtained by hydrogenating corresponding .alpha.-.beta. ethylenically-unsaturated analogs (II), which in turn are obtained by hydrogenating corresponding .alpha.-.beta. acetylenically-unsaturated analogs. Compounds I and II are useful as anti-atheroslerotic agents.