A solution of 0.2 g (0.56 mmol) of (E)-methyl 2-(2-((4-formyl-2,5-dimethylphenoxy)methyl)phenyl)-3-methoxyacrylate obtained in Step 1 in 15 mL of tetrahydrofuran (THF) was refrigerated at −78° C. and reacted at that temperature for 2 hours with ethyl magnesium bromide (0.22 mL, 1.2 eq) while stirring. After completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture was adjusted to pH 7 at 0° C. with 1N-HCl and concentrated in a vacuum. The residue thus obtained was stirred in water (10 mL) and extracted twice with 10 mL of dichloromethane. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtrated and concentrated in a vacuum to remove the solvent. The concentrate was purified by silica gel chromatography to yield (E)-methyl 2-(2-((4-(1-hydroxypropyl)-2,5-dimethylphenoxy)methyl)phenyl)-3-methoxyacrylate as a white oil (0.17 g, yield 79%).
