The present invention relates in general to the field of organic chemistry and in particular to a process for the preparation of 5 ((E) 2 ((2S 4R) 4 hydroxy 6 oxotetrahydro 2H pyran 2 yl)vinyl) 4 (4 fluorophenyl) 6 isopropyl 2 (N methylmethanesulfonylamino)pyrimidine (RSVL) as well as a process for preparing crystalline 5 ((E) 2 ((2S 4R) 4 (tert butyldimethylsilyloxy) 6 oxotetrahydro 2H pyran 2 yl)vinyl) 4 (4 fluorophenyl) 6 isopropyl 2 (N methylmethanesulfonylamino)pyrimidine (RSVLTBS) useful as key intermediates for the preparation of rosuvastatin or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.