Abstract: The present invention discusses a novel process for the synthesis of [R-(R*,R*)]-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-B,D-dihydroxy-5-(1-methylethyl)-3-phenyl-4-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-1H-pyrrole-1-heptanoic acid hemi calcium, atorvastatin. The compound so prepared is useful as inhibitor of the HMG-CoA reductase and may thus be used as hypolipidemic and hypocholesterolemic agent.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a solid catalyst comprising an active alumina catalyst impregnated with a metal hydroxide. In another aspect, the invention provides a process for preparing the inventive alumina catalyst. In certain embodiments, the catalyst may be used for the protection of amines, alcohols and thiols with a wide variety of protecting agents. This procedure is widely applicable for N-protection of amino acids which finds wide industrial applications. The catalyst is also useful for carrying out nucleophilic substitutions of aromatic halides containing an electron-withdrawing group. A wide variety of nucleophiles chosen from amines, primary and secondary, aromatic and aliphatic, as well as alcohols and thiols have been successfully employed. The methodology involves simple techniques and easy work up procedures and is thus useful for large-scale industrial preparations. Additionally, the reactions avoid the use of harmful solvents and thus satisfy the need for green chemistry.

Abstract: The present invention discusses a novel process for the synthesis of [R-(R*,R*)]-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-B,D-dihydroxy-5-(1-methylethyl)-3-phenyl-4-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-1H-pyrrole-1-heptanoic acid hemi calcium, atorvastatin. The compound so prepared is useful as inhibitor of the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase and may thus be used as hypolipidemic and hypocholesterolemic agent.