3-(4-Methoxyphenyl)propyl mesylate (732 mg, 3.00 mmol), sodium carbonate (320 mg, 3.00 mmol) and sodium iodide (30 mg, 0.20 mmol) were added to a solution of (S)-3-(4-nitrobenzoyloxy)pyrrolidine (472 mg, 2.00 mmol) in acetonitrile (25 ml), and they were heated under reflux at 90° C. for 6 hours. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The obtained residue was subjected to silica gel column chromatography. The product was eluted with hexane and ethyl acetate (10:1) and then with a mixture of the same solvents (1:1). The appropriate fractions were combined, and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to obtain (S)-3-(4-nitrobenzoyloxy)-1-[3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propyl]pyrrolidine in the form of a light yellow oil (507 mg, 66%).
