Irradiation of fluvastatin in water: Structure elucidation of photoproducts

Fluvastatin is easily transformed in water by solar irradiation. One day-light exposure induces a complete degradation of the drug and formation of a mixture of products. Different chromatographic processes led to the isolation of dihydrobenzocarbazole, benzocarbazole, azonane-2,7-dione and spiro[4.4]azononane derivatives. Structures of photoproducts were elucidated by spectroscopic means. Photocyclization and photooxygenation are the main reactions involved in the formation of the observed products.