(4E)-N-Methyl-5-(3-pyridyl)-4-penten-2-amine (1.60 g, 9.10 mmol) was dissolved in ethyl alcohol (20 mL), assisted by warming to 60° C. The warm solution was treated with galactaric acid (955 mg, 4.54 mmol) in one portion, followed by the dropwise addition of water (0.5 mL). The solution was filtered while hot to remove some insoluble material. The filtrate was allowed to cool to ambient temperature. The resulting crystals were filtered, washed with anhydrous diethyl ether, and dried under vacuum at 40° C. to yield 1.20 g (47.0%) of a white, crystalline powder, mp 148-150° C.
