Process for preparing intermediates of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors

Abstract

The present invention relates to intermediates of rosuvastatin and processes for the production thereof.

1 . A process for preparing a compound of formula 2a, having the following structure: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein R 3  is C 1  to C 3  alkyloxy, C 5 -C 12  aryloxy, C 5 -C 12  aryloxy substituted with and Z is a hydroxy protecting group comprising combining the compound of formula 9 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     with a lithiated salt of dialkyl phosphonate. 
   
   
       2 . The process of claim  102 , wherein the dialkyl phosphonate is a C 1 -C 3  dialkyl phosphonate. 
   
   
       3 . The process of claim  102 , wherein the reaction is carried out in toluene, xylene, cyclohexane, methyl t-butyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, or mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       4 . The process of claim  102 , wherein the reaction is carried out in methyl t-butyl ether or tetrahydrofuran.