Biochemical purification of simvastatin

Abstract From the Canadian patent

In the synthesis of simvastatin by direct methylation of lovastatin selective , hydrolysis of residual lovastatin lovastatin acid, or a salt thereof by treatment with a bacterium or fungus capable of hydrolyzing the 2-methyl-butyryloxy side chain or a mutant of such microbe or a cell-free extract derived therefrom or a hydrolase , derived therefrom yields 7-1',2',6',7',8',8a'(R)-hexahydro- 2'(S),6'(R)-dimethyl-8'(S)-hydroxy-1'(S)naphthyl-3(R),5(R)-dihydroxyheptanoic acid, the triol acid, or triol salt which can be easily separated from simvastatin, either before or after lactonization to the lactone form. This process produces simvastatin of high yield and purity.