Hydrochloric Acid → 3-[3-Fluoro-4-(4-phenoxybenzyloxy)phenyl]propanoic acid

To a solution of ethyl 3-[3-fluoro-4-(4-phenoxybenzyloxy)phenyl]propanoate (0.16 g, 0.41 mmol) in ethanol (3 mL) was added a 2 N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (3 mL), and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. To the reaction solution was added 2 N hydrochloric acid (3 mL), and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was washed with water, and then concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was recrystallized from ethyl acetate-hexane to give the title compound (0.14 g, yield 94%) as white powders.