A solution of 3-(4-bromophenoxy)-6-methoxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)benzo[b]thiophene 1-oxide (970 mg, 2.12 mmol) in THF (5 mL) was cooled to 0° C. To the cooled solution was added LAH (129 mg, 3.39 mmol) in one portion. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 30 min after which the mixture was poured into 1 M aq. NaHSO4 solution and extracted with DCM. The organic layer was collected (phase separator) and concentrated in vacuo to afford the crude product which was purified by column chromatography (SiO2, 0-30% EtOAc/Heptane) to afford 3-(4-bromophenoxy)-6-methoxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)benzo[b]thiophene (850 mg, 1.93 mmol, 91% yield) as a white solid. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ ppm=3.83 (s, 3 H), 3.90 (s, 3 H), 6.80-6.99 (m, 5 H), 7.22-7.32 (m, 2 H), 7.32-7.44 (m, 2 H), 7.65 (d, J=9.09 Hz, 2 H).
