<p>The present invention relates to a cost effective and industrially advantageous process for the preparation of 4-4(fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-2-(N-methyl-N-methylsulphonylamino)-5-pyrimidinecarboxaldehyde, referred to here as pyrimidine aldehyde of structural Formula I and to the use of this compound as intermediate for the preparation of rosuvastatin.</p>
