Abstract: Racemic Feist's acid is treated with (R)-(+)-.alpha.-methylbenzylamine to yield (1R-trans)-3-methylene-cyclopropane-1,2-dicarboxylic acid, (R)-.alpha.-methylbenzylamine (1:1) salt. This salt can then be converted to (1R-trans)-3-methylene-1,2-cyclopropanedicarboxylic acid, dimethyl ester which is an intermediate in the preparation of the antiviral agent [1R-(1.alpha.,2.beta.,3.alpha.)]-2-amino-9-[2,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclobut yl]-1,9-dihydro-6H-purin-6-one. The improved process also enables the recovery of racemic Feist's acid from the resolution.

Abstract: Racemic Feist's acid is treated with (R)-(+)-.alpha.-methylbenzylamine to yield (1R-trans)-3-methylenecyclopropane-1,2-dicarboxylic acid, (R)-.alpha.-methylbenzylamine (1:1) salt. This salt can then be converted to (1R-trans)-3-methylene-1,2-cyclopropanedicarboxylic acid, dimethyl ester which is an intermediate in the preparation of the antiviral agent [1R-(1.alpha.,2.beta.,3.alpha.)]-2-amino-9-[2,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclobut yl]-1,9-dihydro-6H-purin-6-one. The improved process also enables the recovery of racemic Feist's acid from the resolution.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a phosphonic acid ester having the structure ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is farnesyl or a derivative or analog thereof, and R.sup.2 is lower alkyl, by treating a farnesyl halide R.sup.1 Hal(Hal=Cl,Br,I) with an alkoxide of the structure ##STR2## wherein M is an alkali metal and R.sup.2c is lower alkyl. The resulting phosphonic acid ester is an intermediate in preparing a squalene synthetase inhibitor which is used for inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for preparing a compound of the formula ##STR1## in which a novel compound of the formula ##STR2## is reacted with a beta lactam of the formula ##STR3## by treatment with a base, wherein the symbols are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: Racemic Feist's acid is treated with (R)-(+)-.alpha.-methylbenzylamine to yield (1R-trans)-3-methylenecyclopropane-1,2-dicarboxylic acid, (R)-.alpha.-methylbenzylamine (1:1) salt. This salt can then be converted to (1R-trans)-3-methylene-1,2-cyclopropanedicarboxylic acid, dimethyl ester which is an intermediate in the preparation of the antiviral agent [1R-(1.alpha.,2.beta., 3.alpha.)]-2-amino-9-[2,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclobutyl]-1,9-dihydro-6H-pur in-6-one. The improved process also enables the recovery of racemic Feist's acid from the resolution.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a phosphonic acid ester having the structure ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is farnesyl or a derivative or analog thereof, and R.sup.2 is lower alkyl, by treating a farnesyl halide R.sup.1 Hal(Hal.dbd.Cl,Br,I) with an alkoxide of the structure ##STR2## wherein M is an alkali metal and R.sup.2c is lower alkyl. The resulting phosphonic acid ester is an intermediate in preparing a squalene synthetase inhibitor which is used for inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis.

Abstract: A process has now been discovered by which an intermediate in preparation of antibiotics ##STR1## may be directly derived from the substrate ##STR2## by treatment with aqueous solutions of MHCO.sub.3 and MOH, wherein: R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each independently alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkyl, substituted alkenyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, or substituted aryl;M is alkali metal (such as Na, Li, or K); andX is halogen.