To an ice cold solution of 40 mg (0.077 mmol) (3S,5R,6S,7S)-6-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(2-methoxy-5-(2-trifluoromethylimidazol-1-yl)phenyl)-1-oxaspiro[4.4]nonane-7-carboxylic acid methyl ester (from Example 70) in 1.0 mL of ethanol and 0.20 mL of water was added 0.050 mL of 2.5N aqueous NaOH. The mixture was stirred at 0° C., then warmed slowly to RT overnight. After neutralizing with 0.065 mL of 2N aqueous HCl, the mixture was partitioned between 25 mL of ethyl acetate and 25 mL of brine. The layers were separated and the organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to give 40 mg of title compound as a colorless syrup. Mass spectrum (NH3/CI): m/z=505.0 (M+1).
