A solution/suspension of anhydrous benzene (25 mL), powdered Zinc metal (0.505 g, 7.72 mmol), I2 (0.01 g) and 6-benzenesulfonyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-naphthalen-1-one was stirred for 10 minutes at room temperature. Ethyl bromopropionate (0.784 mL, 1.18 g, 7.07 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was heated to reflux for 2.5 hours. The reaction mixture was allowed to cool, diluted with 300 mL of water and extracted twice with 250 mL of EtOAc. The combined organic layers were washed with water and saturated brine, dried (MgSO4) and evaporated under reduced pressure to yield (6-benzenesulfonyl-1-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-1-yl)-acetic acid methyl ester. MS: 375 (M+H)+.
