To a solution of (1RS,2SR)-2-amino-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-{3-[(trifluoromethyl)thio]phenyl}propan-1-ol (450 mg, 1.51 mmol) in acetonitrile (20 ml) were added 6,7-dihydro-5H-benzo[a]cycloheptene-1-carboxylic acid (284 mg, 1.51 mmol), 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (435 mg, 2.27 mmol) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate (231 mg, 1.51 mmol), and the mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. The reaction solution was diluted with water (100 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (100 ml×2). The extract was washed successively with water and saturated brine, dried (anhydrous magnesium sulfate) and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (hexane:ethyl acetate=2:1-ethyl acetate). Recrystallization from ethyl acetate-hexane gave the objective substance (396 mg, 51%).
