A solution of aqueous 2N NaOH (3.00 ml) is added to a stirred solution of methyl 3-(3-(4-hydroxypiperidin-1-yl)-1-naphthamido)-2,4-dimethylbenzoate (0.10 g, 0.23 mmol) in THF:MeOH (3 ml:1 ml). After 12 hours at room temperature, the organic solvent is removed under reduced pressure and the residue is diluted with water, acidified to pH 4 with aqueous 1N HCl and extracted with dichloromethane (2×20 ml). The organic layers are combined and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The solvent is removed under reduced pressure and the resulting precipitate is triturated with diethyl ether and filtered to afford the title compound as a white solid (0.028 g, 29%). Mass spectrum (m/z): 419.2 (M+1).
