A solution of ethyl 3-[4-[2-(2,3dihydro-1,4-benzoxazin-4-yl)ethoxy]phenyl]-2-hydroxypropanoate (0.5 g, 1.34 mmol) obtained in example 13 in dry dimethyl formamide (5 mL) was added to a stirred ice cooled suspension of sodium hydride (60% dispension in oil) (0.08 g, 1.66 mmol) in dry dimethyl formamide (3 mL) under nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 30 minutes followed by the addition of benzyl bromide (0.46 g, 2.69 mmol). The mixture was allowed to warm to 25° C. and stirring was continued for further 18 h. Water (25 mL) was added and extracted with ethyl acetate (2×50 mL). The combined organic layer was washed with water (50 mL), brine (50 mL) and dried Na2SO4 and filtered. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was chromatographed over silica gel using a mixture of ethyl acetate and pet. ether (2:8) as eluent to afford the title compound (0.3 g) along with benzyl 3-[4-[2-(2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzoxazin-4-yl)ethoxy]phenyl]-2-benzyloxypropanoate. This mixture (1:1) is used in example 47 without any separation.
