To a stirred solution of intermediate ethyl 2-[2,4-difluoro-3-[[3-(3-fluorophenyl)phenyl]methylamino]phenoxy]acetate (270 mg, 0.65 mmol, 1.0 eq) in THF (4 mL) was added NaOH (2 M aqueous solution, 2.5 mL, 5 mmol, 7.7 eq). The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 1 h. Water was added and the THF removed in vacuo. The aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc and the combined organic extracts washed with water and brine, dried (Na2SO4), filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The crude material obtained was crystallised from CH2Cl2/petroleum ether, collected by filtration and dried in vacuo to give the title compound (I(e)) as a white solid (190 mg, 75%).
