Methanol → 4-(3-Hydroxypropyl)benzonitrile

To a solution of LiBH4 (14 g, 0.65 mol) in dry ether (400 mL) was added 3-(4-cyanophenyl)propionic acid ethyl ester (50 g, 0.249 mol; see step (ii) above), followed by methanol (27 mL) dropwise. The reaction mixture was refluxed for 3 h. After completion (monitored by TLC), the reaction was quenched by adding cold, saturated ammonium chloride solution (100 mL), followed by water (300 mL). The layers were then separated. The aqueous layer was extracted with ether (2×100 mL) and the combined organic layers were washed with brine. After drying over anhydrous sodium sulfate, the organic layer was concentrated to give the crude product. This crude product was purified by column chromatography over silica gel, using ethyl acetate in petroleum ether as eluent. This yielded 16.5 g (42%) of the sub-title compound as a pale yellow liquid.