To a mixture under nitrogen of 1.5 g (3.53 mmol) of methyl 3-hydroxy-2-[(4-methoxybenzenesulfonyl)-(2-nitrobenzyl)amino]propionate in 5 ml of dry ethanol was added 1.12 g (17.69 mmol) of ammonium formate followed by the addition of 0.50 g of 10% palladium on carbon. The mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature and heated at 80° C. for 2 hours. The mixture was filtered through diatomaceous earth and the filtrate concentrated to dryness under vacuum to give a semisolid. Trituration with ethyl acetate gave 0.65 g (47%) of white crystals, m.p. 138-140° C.; Anal. for C18H22N2O6S: Calc'd: C,54.8; H,5.6; N,7.1; Found: C,53.0; H,5.6; N,6.8.
