Under nitrogen, a solution of 1.02 g (1.49 mmol) of 1-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-4,4-di(tosylmethyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene (prepared in Step 10) in 24 mL of DMF was treated with 3.23 g (21.55 mmol) of sodium iodide and 1.61 g (24.63 mmol) of zinc dust. The reaction was stirred an 150° C. for 1.5 hours, concentrated in vacuo, and partitioned between water and ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed with sodium sulfite, water, brine, dried (MgSO4), and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel to give 437 mg (86%) of 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]spiro[2.4]hept-5-ene as a colorless solid: mp 140.5°-142.0° C.; NMR (CDCl3) δ0.69 (s, 4H), 2.92 (s, 4H), 3.04 (s, 3H), 6.93 (t, J=9 Hz, 2H), 7.10 (dd, J=5 and 9 Hz, 2H), 7.32 (d, J=8 Hz, 2H), 7.76 (d, J=8 Hz, 2H). HRMS. Calc'd for C20H19FO2S: 342.1090. Found: 342.1126. Anal. Calc'd for C20H19FO2S: C, 70.15; H, 5.59; F, 5.55; S, 9.36. Found: C, 70.10; H, 5.69; F, 5.50; S, 9.60.
