Raney Ni is added to a solution of cyanoester (5) (8.5 g, 19.84 mmol) in absolute EtOH (200 mL) and concentrated NH4OH (40 mL). The mixture was subjected to a H2 (51.8 psi) Par for 64.5 hours. The reaction mixture was filtered through celite, and N2 gas was passed through the solution to remove NH3. EtOH was then evaporated, and water is azeotropically removed with toluene. The crude oil is purified by flash chromatography (Ch2Cl2-MeOH/95:5) to give a colorless solid (6.5 g, 84.8% yield), mp ˜45° C.
