<p>The present invention provides an improved process for manufacturing statins comprising the following steps (i) reacting lovastatin with butyl amine to produce lovastatin amide (ii) isolating lovastatin butylamide in solid form by crystallization, from organic solvent (iii) optionally subjecting to hydroxyl protection to get diprotected lovastatin butylamide, (iv) subjecting proteceted or unprotected amide so obtained to C-Methylation employing lithium pyrrolidide prepared in situ by reacting butyl lithium and pyrrolidine, isolating the title product by conventional methods, and converting to its pharmacologically acceptable salt by known methods.</p>
