The methyl 4-isopropyl-2-(1-tert-butoxycarbonyl-piperidin-3-ylmethoxy)benzoate (1.53 g, 3.90 mmol) was dissolved in THF (15 mL). Then LiOH.H2O (0.36 g, 8.58 mmol) in water (5 mL) was added. The mixture was heated at 65° C. for 24 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo and then redissolved in a mixture of EtOAc (100 mL) and cold dilute HCl. The mixture was shaken in a separatory funnel. The layers were separated and the organic layer was washed with cold water (100 mL), dried (MgSO4), and concentrated to give 1.23 g of the title compound as an oil.
