DE3434121

A method is provided for making substituted prolines of the structure wherein X is lower alkyl or aryl, R is H, lower alkyl or an alkali metal and Z is an N-protecting group, which method includes the step of reacting a compound of the structure wherein Z and R are as defined above and Q is Br. tosyloxy or mesylate, with an organic copper lithium compound of the structure XYCuLi wherein X is as defined above and Y is lower alkyl, aryl or CN. Where X is phenyl, the corresponding 4-cyclohexyl compound may be produced by conventional hydrogenation techniques. The compounds produced are useful as intermediates in the preparation of phosphinic acid derivatives useful in the treatment of hypertension.