Enantioselective synthesis of the key intermediate of the acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitor (R-106578) using 2,2'-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1'-binaphthyl (BINAP)-Ru(OAc)2 as a catalyst

Acidic segment of an acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitor, R-106578 was synthesized by enantioselective hydrogenation of the Z-olefine (9-(Z)) using (R)-2,2'-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1'-binaphthyl (BINAP)-Ru(OAc)2 as a catalyst in methanol at 100 degrees C, 5 kgf/cm2 of H2 pressure. The requisite Z-olefine was prepared regioselectively via coumarin derivative (5).