Process for the preparation of 1,3-dioxane derivatives useful in the preparation of HMG-COA reductase inhibitors
 A novel, overall process for the preparation of a compound of the formula I: ##STR1## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 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 PA1 R.sup.3 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. 
E. R. Squibb & Sons, Inc.
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inventional inventional inventional
John K. Wen-Sen Yadagiri David R.
Thottathil Li Pendri Kronenthal