Lithium hydroxide monohydrate (0.075 g) was added to a solution of methyl 6-(benzenesulphonylmethyl)-2-ethyl-3-(furan-3-yl)benzoate (Intermediate 152, 0.092 g) in dioxane (1 ml) and water (1 ml) and the resultant solution was stirred and heated in the microwave at 150° C. for 4.5 hours. Ethyl acetate and water were added and the organic layer was separated, then acidified with concentrated hydrochloric acid. The mixture was extracted with ethyl aceate, dried (Na2SO4) and filtered. The filtrate was evaporated to dryness then azeotroped with toluene. The residue was triturated with ether and the solid was collected by filtration and dried to give 6-(benzenesulphonylmethyl)-2-ethyl-3-(furan-3-yl)benzoic acid (0.027 g) as a white solid.
