Processes for preparing calcium salt forms of statins

Processes for preparing a calcium salt of a statin from an ester derivative or protected ester derivative of the statin by using calcium hydroxide are provided. The ester or protected ester derivative is contacted with calcium hydroxide to obtain the calcium salt. Preferred statins are rosuvastatin, pitavastatin and atorvastatin, simvastatin and lovastatin. In processes beginning with a protected satin ester derivative, the protecting group is hydrolyzed during salt formation by contact with calcium hydroxide, or is contacted with an acid catalyst followed by contact with calcium hydroxide.