Claims for Patent: 5,354,772

Summary for Patent: 5,354,772

Title:	Indole analogs of mevalonolactone and derivatives thereof
Abstract:	Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein one of R and R.sub.o is ##STR2## and the other is primary or secondary C.sub.1-6 alkyl not containing an asymmetric carbon atom, C.sub.3-6 cycloalkyl or phenyl-(CH.sub.2).sub.m --, wherein R.sub.4 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, n-butoxy, i-butoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, R.sub.5 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, R.sub.5a is hydrogen, C.sub.1-2 alkyl, C.sub.1-2 alkoxy, fluoro or chloro, and m is 1, 2 or 3, with the provisos that both R.sub.5 and R.sub.5a must be hydrogen when R.sub.4 is hydrogen, R.sub.5a must be hydrogen when R.sub.5 is hydrogen, not more than one of R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 is trifluoromethyl, not more than one of R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 is phenoxy, and not more than one of R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 is benzyloxy, R.sub.2 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, C.sub.3-6 cycloalkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, n-butoxy, i-butoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, R.sub.3 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, with the provisos that R.sub.3 must be hydrogen when R.sub.2 is hydrogen, not more than one of R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is trifluoromethyl, not more than one of R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is phenoxy, and not more than one of R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is benzyloxy, X is --(CH.sub.2).sub.n -- or --CH.dbd.CH--, wherein n is 0, 1, 2 or 3, and Z is ##STR3## wherein R.sub.6 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-3 alkyl, and R.sub.7 is hydrogen, R.sub.7b or M, wherein R.sub.7b is a physiologically acceptable and hydrolyzable ester group, and M is a pharmaceutically acceptable cation, the use thereof for inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis and lowering the blood cholesterol level, and therefore, in the treatment of hyperliopoproteinemia and atherosclerosis, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and processes for and intermediates in the synthesis of such compounds.
Inventor(s):	Kathawala; Faizulla G. (Mountain Lakes, NJ)
Assignee:	Sandoz Pharm. Corp. (E. Hanover, NJ)
Application Number:	08/157,595
Patent Claims:	1. A compound of the formula ##STR223## wherein one of R and R.sub.o is and the other is ##STR224## and the other is primary or secondary C.sub.1-6 alkyl not containing an asymmetric carbon atom, C.sub.1-3 cycloalkyl or phenyl-(CH.sub.2).sub.m --, wherein R.sub.4 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, n-butoxy, i-butoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, R.sub.5 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, R.sub.5a is hydrogen, C.sub.1-2 alkyl, C.sub.1-2 alkoxy, fluoro, or chloro, and m is 1, 2 or 3, with the provisos that both R.sub.5 and R.sub.5a must be hydrogen when R.sub.4 is hydrogen, R.sub.5a must be hydrogen when R.sub.5 is hydrogen, not more than one of R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 is trifluoromethyl, not more than one of R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 is phenoxy, and not more than one of R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 is benzyloxy, R.sub.2 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, C.sub.3-6 cycloalkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, n-butoxy, i-butoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, R.sub.3 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, with the provisos that R.sub.3 must be hydrogen when R.sub.2 is hydrogen, not more than one of R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is trifluoromethyl, not more than one of R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is phenoxy, and not more than one of R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is benzyloxy, X is --(CH.sub.2).sub.n -- or --CH.dbd.CH--, wherein n is 0, 1, 2 or 3, and Z is ##STR225## wherein R.sub.6 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-3 alkyl, and R.sub.7 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, benzyl, or M, wherein M is a cation. 2. A compound according to claim 1 wherein M is a pharmaceutically acceptable cation. 3. A compound according to claim 2 having the formula ##STR226## wherein R.sub.1 is primary or secondary C.sub.1-3 alkyl not containing an asymmetric carbon atom, C.sub.3-6 cycloalkyl or phenyl-(CH.sub.2).sub.m --, wherein m is 1, 2 or 3, R.sub.2 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, C.sub.3-6 cycloalkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, n-butoxy, i-butoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, R.sub.3 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, with the provisos that R.sub.3 must be hydrogen when R.sub.2 is hydrogen, not more than one of R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is trifluoromethyl, not more than one of R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is phenoxy, and not more than one of R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is benzyloxy, R.sub.4 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, n-butoxy, i-butoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, R.sub.5 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, R.sub.5a is hydrogen, C.sub.1-2 alkyl, C.sub.1-2 alkoxy, fluoro or chloro, with the provisos that both R.sub.5 and R.sub.5a must be hydrogen when R.sub.4 is hydrogen, R.sub.5a must be hydrogen when R.sub.5 is hydrogen, not more than one of R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 is trifluoromethyl, not more than one of R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 is phenoxy, and not more than one of R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 is benzyloxy, R.sub.6 is hydrogen or Cl.sub.1-3 alkyl, R.sub.7 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, benzyl or M, wherein M is a pharmaceutically acceptable cation, and X is --(CH.sub.2).sub.n -- or --CH.dbd.CH--, wherein n is 0, 1, 2 or 3. 4. A compound according to claim 3 wherein R.sub.1 is primary or secondary C.sub.1-5 alkyl not containing an asymmetric carbon atom, R.sub.2 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-3 alkyl, R.sub.3 is hydrogen or Cl.sub.1-3 alkyl, with the proviso that R.sub.3 must be hydrogen when R.sub.2 is hydrogen, R.sub.4 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-2 alkyl, trifluoromethyl or fluoro, R.sub.5 is hydrogen or methyl, R.sub.5a is hydrogen or methyl with the proviso that both R.sub.5 and R.sub.5a must be hydrogen when R.sub.4 is hydrogen and R.sub.5 must be hydrogen when R.sub.5 is hydrogen, R.sub.6 is hydrogen or methyl, R.sub.7 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-2 alkyl or M, wherein M is a pharmaceutically acceptable cation, and X is --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 -- or --CH.dbd.CH--. 5. A compound according to claim 3 wherein R.sub.1 is primary or secondary C.sub.1-6 alkyl not containing an asymmetric carbon atom, R.sub.2 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, R.sub.3 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-2 alkoxy, fluoro or chloro, with the proviso that R.sub.3 must be hydrogen when R.sub.2 is hydrogen, R.sub.4 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, R.sub.5 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-2 alkyl, C.sub.1-2 alkoxy, fluoro or chloro, R.sub.5a is hydrogen or methyl, with the provisos that both R.sub.5 and R.sub.5a must be hydrogen when R.sub.4 is hydrogen and R.sub.5a must be hydrogen when R.sub.5 is hydrogen, R.sub.6 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-2 alkyl, R.sub.7 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl or M, wherein M is a pharmaceutically acceptable cation, and X is --(CH.sub.2).sub.m -- or ##STR227## wherein m is 1, 2 or 3. 6. A compound according to claim 5 wherein R.sub.1 is C.sub.1-3 alkyl, R.sub.2 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, methoxy, fluoro, chloro or 4-, 5- or 6-benzyloxy, R.sub.3 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-3 alkyl, with the proviso that R.sub.3 must be hydrogen when R.sub.2 is hydrogen, R.sub.4 is hydrogen, methyl, methoxy, fluoro or chloro, R.sub.5 is hydrogen, methyl, methoxy, fluoro or chloro, R.sub.5a is hydrogen or methyl, with the proviso that both R.sub.5 and R.sub.5a must be hydrogen when R.sub.4 is hydrogen and R.sub.5a must be hydrogen when R.sub.5 is hydrogen, R.sub.6 is hydrogen, R.sub.7 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-2 alkyl or M, wherein M is a pharmaceutically acceptable cation, and X is --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 -- or ##STR228## 7. A compound according to claim 6 having the formula ##STR229## wherein M.sup..sym. is a pharmaceutically acceptable cation. 8. A compound to claim 7 in racemic erythro form. 9. The compound according to claim 7 having the formula ##STR230## 10. The compound according to claim 9 having the 3R,5S configuration. 11. The compound of the formula ##STR231## in racemic erythro form. 12. A compound according to claim 2 having the formula ##STR232## wherein R.sub.1 is primary or secondary C.sub.1-6 alkyl not containing an asymmetric carbon atom, C.sub.3-6 cycloalkyl or phenyl-(CH.sub.2).sub.m --, wherein m is 1, 2 or 3, R.sub.2 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, C.sub.3-6 cycloalkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, n-butoxy, i-butoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, R.sub.3 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, with the provisos that R.sub.3 must be hydrogen when R.sub.2 is hydrogen, not more than one of R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is trifluoromethyl, not more than one of R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is phenoxy, and not more than one of R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is benzyloxy, R.sub.4 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, n-butoxy, i-butoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, R.sub.5 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, R.sub.5a is hydrogen, C.sub.1-2 alkyl, C.sub.1-2 alkoxy, fluoro or chloro, with the provisos that both R.sub.5 and R.sub.5a must be hydrogen when R.sub.4 is hydrogen, R.sub.5a must be hydrogen when R.sub.5 is hydrogen, not more than one of R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 is trifluoromethyl, not more than one of R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 is phenoxy, and not more than one of R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 is benzyloxy, R.sub.6 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-3 alkyl, and X is --(CH.sub.2).sub.n -- or --CH.dbd.CH--, wherein n is 0, 1, 2 or 3. 13. A compound according to claim 12 wherein R.sub.1 is primary or secondary C.sub.1-6 alkyl not containing an asymmetric carbon atom, R.sub.2 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, R.sub.3 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-2 alkoxy, fluoro or chloro, with the proviso that R.sub.3 must be hydrogen when R.sub.2 is hydrogen, R.sub.4 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, R.sub.5 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-2 alkyl, C.sub.1-2 alkoxy, fluoro or chloro, R.sub.5a is hydrogen or methyl, with the provisos that both R.sub.5 and R.sub.5a must be hydrogen when R.sub.4 is hydrogen and R.sub.5a must be hydrogen when R.sub.5 is hydrogen, R.sub.6 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-2 alkyl, and X is ##STR233## wherein m is 1, 2 or 3. 14. A compound according to claim 2 having the formula ##STR234## wherein R.sub.1 is primary or secondary C.sub.1-6 alkyl not containing an asymmetric carbon atom, C.sub.3-6 cycloalkyl or phenyl-(CH.sub.2).sub.m --, wherein m is 1, 2 or 3, R.sub.2 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, C.sub.3-6 cycloalkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, n-butoxy, i-butoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, R.sub.3 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, with the provisos that R.sub.3 must be hydrogen when R.sub.2 is hydrogen, not more than one of R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is trifluoromethyl, not more than one of R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is phenoxy, and not more than one of R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is benzyloxy, R.sub.4 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, n-butoxy, i-butoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, R.sub.5 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, R.sub.5a is hydrogen, C.sub.1-2 alkyl, C.sub.1-2 alkoxy, fluoro or chloro, with the provisos that both R.sub.5 and R.sub.5a must be hydrogen when R.sub.4 is hydrogen, R.sub.5a must be hydrogen when R.sub.5 is hydrogen, not more than one of R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 is trifluoromethyl, not more than one of R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 is phenoxy, and not more than one of R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 is benzyloxy, R.sub.6 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-3 alkyl, R.sub.7 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, benzyl or M, wherein M is a pharmaceutically acceptable cation, and X is --(CH.sub.2).sub.n -- or --CH.dbd.CH--, wherein n is 0, 1, 2 or 3. 15. A compound according to claim 14 wherein R.sub.1 is primary or secondary C.sub.1-6 alkyl not containing an asymmetric carbon atom, R.sub.2 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, R.sub.3 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-2 alkoxy, fluoro or chloro, with the proviso that R.sub.3 must be hydrogen when R.sub.2 is hydrogen, R.sub.4 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, R.sub.5 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-2 alkyl, C.sub.1-2 alkoxy, fluoro or chloro, R.sub.5a is hydrogen or methyl, with the provisos that both R.sub.5 and R.sub.5a must be hydrogen when R.sub.4 is hydrogen and R.sub.5a must be hydrogen when R.sub.5 is hydrogen, R.sub.6 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-2 alkyl, R.sub.7 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl or M, wherein M is a pharmaceutically acceptable cation, and X is ##STR235## wherein m is 1, 2 or 3. 16. A compound according to claim 2 having the formula ##STR236## wherein R.sub.1 is primary or secondary C.sub.1-6 alkyl not containing an asymmetric carbon atom, C.sub.3-6 cycloalkyl or phenyl-(CH.sub.2).sub.m --, wherein m is 1, 2 or 3, R.sub.2 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, C.sub.3-6 cycloalkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, n-butoxy, i-butoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, R.sub.3 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, with the provisos that R.sub.3 must be hydrogen when R.sub.2 is hydrogen, not more than one of R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is trifluoromethyl, not more than one of R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is phenoxy, and not more than one of R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is benzyloxy, R.sub.4 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, n-butoxy, i-butoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, R.sub.5 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, R.sub.5a is hydrogen, C.sub.1-2 alkyl, C.sub.1-2 alkoxy, fluoro or chloro, with the provisos that both R.sub.5 and R.sub.5a must be hydrogen when R.sub.4 is hydrogen, R.sub.5a must be hydrogen when R.sub.5 is hydrogen, not more than one of R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 is trifluoromethyl, not more than one of R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 is phenoxy, and not more than one of R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 is benzyloxy, R.sub.6 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-3 alkyl, and X is --(CH.sub.2).sub.n -- or --CH.dbd.CH--, wherein n is 0, 1, 2 or 3. 17. A compound according to claim 16 wherein R.sub.1 is primary or secondary C.sub.1-6 alkyl not containing an asymmetric carbon atom, R.sub.2 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, R.sub.3 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-2 alkoxy, fluoro or chloro, with the proviso that R.sub.3 must be hydrogen when R.sub.2 is hydrogen, R.sub.4 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, R.sub.5 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-2 alkyl, C.sub.1-2 alkoxy, fluoro or chloro, R.sub.5a is hydrogen or methyl, with the provisos that both R.sub.5 and R.sub.5a a must be hydrogen when R.sub.4 is hydrogen and R.sub.5a must be hydrogen when R.sub.5 is hydrogen, R.sub.6 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-2 alkyl, and X is ##STR237## wherein m is 1, 2 or 3. 18. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a compound according to claim 2 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, said effective amount being an amount sufficient to inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis in a mammal. 19. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 18 wherein the compound is a compound of the formula ##STR238## wherein M.sup..sym. is a pharmaceutically acceptable cation. 20. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 19 wherein the compound is a compound of the formula ##STR239## wherein M.sup..sym. is a pharmaceutically acceptable cation, in racemic erythro form. 21. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 20 wherein the compound is the compound of the formula ##STR240## in racemic erythro form. 22. A method of inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis comprising administering to a mammal in need of such treatment an effective amount of a compound according to claim 2, said effective amount being an amount effective for inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis. 23. A method of inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis according to claim 22 wherein the compound is a compound of the formula ##STR241## wherein M.sup..sym. is a pharmaceutically acceptable cation. 24. A method of inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis according to claim 23 wherein the compound is a compound of the formula ##STR242## wherein M.sup..sym. is a pharmaceutically acceptable cation, in racemic erythro form. 25. A method of inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis according to claim 24 wherein the compound is the compound of the formula ##STR243## in racemic erythro form. 26. A method of treating atherosclerosis comprising administering to a mammal in need of such treatment an effective amount of a compound according to claim 2, said effective amount being an amount effective for the treatment of atherosclerosis. 27. A method of treating atherosclerosis according to claim 26 wherein the compound is a compound of the formula ##STR244## wherein R.sub.1 is primary or secondary C.sub.1-6 alkyl not containing an asymmetric carbon atom, C.sub.3-6 cycloalkyl or phenyl-(CH.sub.2).sub.m --, wherein m is 1, 2 or 3, R.sub.2 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, C.sub.3-6 cycloalkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, n-butoxy, i-butoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, R.sub.3 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, with the provisos that R.sub.3 must be hydrogen when R.sub.2 is hydrogen, not more than one of R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is trifluoromethyl, not more than one of R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is phenoxy, and not more than one of R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is benzyloxy, R.sub.4 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, n-butoxy, i-butoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, R.sub.5 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, R.sub.5a is hydrogen, C.sub.1-2 alkyl, C.sub.1-2 alkoxy, fluoro or chloro, with the provisos that both R.sub.5 and R.sub.5a must be hydrogen when R.sub.4 is hydrogen, R.sub.5a must be hydrogen when R.sub.5 is hydrogen, not more than one of R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 is trifluoromethyl, not more than one of R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 is phenoxy, and not more than one of R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 is benzyloxy, R.sub.6 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-3 alkyl, R.sub.7 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, benzyl or M, wherein M is a pharmaceutically acceptable cation, and X is --(CH.sub.2).sub.n -- or --CH.dbd.CH-- wherein n is 0, 1, 2 or 3. 28. A method of treating atherosclerosis according to claim 27 wherein the compound is a compound of the formula ##STR245## wherein M.sup..sym. is a pharmaceutically acceptable cation. 29. A method of treating atherosclerosis according to claim 28 wherein the compound is a compound of the formula ##STR246## wherein M.sup..sym. is a pharmaceutically acceptable cation, in racemic erythro form. 30. A method of treating atherosclerosis according to claim 29 wherein the compound is the compound of the formula ##STR247## in racemic erythro form.