A new synthetic method for the preparation of pitavastatin is described. The approach circumvents various synthetic problems associated with the buildup of the 3,5-dihydroxy-C 7 acid side chain of HMGCoA reductase inhibitors (statins). The use of the C 6 -amide derivative 5 instead of ester derivatives in the coupling reaction with carboxaldehyde 8 (Scheme 3) prevents undesired side reactions, such as eliminations and retro-aldol reactions. The method provides synthetic statins, such as pitavastatin, in > 99% ee and exceptionally high overall yield. The enantiomerically pure starting material, (3S)-3-, is prepared by an improved procedure from 3-{[(tert-butyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy}glutaric anhydride (1) and (1S)-1-phenylethylamine (2c; Scheme 1).

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