A solution of 2-(2-morpholin-4-yl-2-oxo-ethyl)-2-(3-phenyl-allyl)-malonic acid diethyl ester (257 mg, 0.637 mmol) in EtOH (15 ml) was hydrogenated over Pd/C at 55 Psi for 7.5 hrs. The catalyst filtered off over a pad of Celite and the filtrate evaporated under vacuum to give 2-(2-morpholin-4-yl-2-oxo-ethyl)-2-(3-phenyl-propyl)-malonic acid diethyl ester as a light yellow oil (260 mg); 1H NMR (CDCl3) 7.4–7.1 (m, 5H), 4.20 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 4H), 3.7–3.4 (m, 8H), 3.0 (s, 2H), 2.6 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 2H), 2.2 (m, 2H), 2.55 (m, 2H), 1.20 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 6H). MS: 406 (MH+).
