The full experimental details for the total synthesis of (+)-compactin and 19 structural analogues are reported. We have evaluated three classes of analogues as inhibitors of 3- hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase:(1) functional and stereoisomeric analogues that possess the full carbon skeleton of compactin or dihydromevinolin,(2) functional analogues in which one carbon of the skeleton has been replaced by oxygen, ...