Process for the preparation of 4-phosphinyl-3-keto-carboxylate and 4-phosphonyl-3-keto-carboxylate intermediates useful in the preparation of phosphorus containing HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors
 A process for the preparation of compounds of formula ##STR1## or salt thereof where R.sub.1 is --X--Z and X is --C.tbd.C--, PA1 R.sub.2 and R.sub.2 ' are independently hydrogen, alkyl or trialkylsilyl; PA1 R.sub.3 is hydrogen or alkyl; and PA1 Z is a hydrophobic anchor; which includes reacting a compound of formula ##STR2## where R.sub.4 is alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl; and R.sub.5 is trialkylsilyl or triarylsilyl with a compound of formula ##STR3## where Y is a halogen, to form a compound of formula ##STR4## and hydrolyzing the compound of formula IV to obtain the compounds of formula I. Compounds of formula I or salt thereof where R.sub.1 is --OR.sub.2 ' may be prepared by reacting a compound of formula III with a compound of formula EQU P(OR.sub.2).sub.3 XII. 
E. R. Squibb & Sons, Inc.
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John K. Wen S.
Thottathil Li