| abstract |
A novel, overall process for the preparation of a compound of the formula I: <IMAGE> (I) where R1 and R2 are each independently hydrogen, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group or, taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, form a cycloalkyl group; and R3 is hydrogen, an alkyl group, or an aryl group, or salts thereof, useful as intermediates in the preparation of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors; novel methods within the overall process; and novel intermediates produced by those methods. |