A solution of nickel(II) chloride hexahydrate (7.8 mg, 0.033 mmol) and (E)-3-cycloheptyl-2-(4-methanesulfonyl-phenyl)-acrylic acid methyl ester (111 mg, 0.33 mmol) in methanol (3 mL) was cooled to 0° C. and then treated with sodium borohydride (25 mg, 0.66 mmol) in two portions. After the addition, the black reaction mixture was stirred for 15 min at 0° C. and then allowed to warm to 25° C. where it was stirred for 15 h. The black solid was filtered using filter paper and washed with methanol. The combined solvents were concentrated in vacuo, and the residue was diluted with water (25 mL) and ethyl acetate (25 mL). The two layers were separated, and the aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate (1×15 mL). The combined organic extracts were washed with a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution (1×50 mL), dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to afford racemic 3-cycloheptyl-2-(4-methanesulfonyl-phenyl)-propionic acid methyl ester (101 mg, 91%) as a colorless oil: EI-HRMS m/e calcd for C18H26O4S (M+) 338.1552, found 338.1555.
