Hydrochloric Acid → (2RS,3RS)-3-(3-chlorophenyl)-3-hydroxy-2-[3-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)benzyl]propanoic acid

To a solution of ethyl (2RS,3RS)-3-(3-chlorophenyl)-3-hydroxy-2-[3-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)benzyl]propanoate (6.08 g, 14.0 mmol) in methanol (30 ml) was added 2N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (14 ml, 28 mmol), and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hrs. The reaction solution was acidified with 1N hydrochloric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate (200 ml×2). The extract was washed with water and saturated brine, dried (anhydrous magnesium sulfate) and evaporated under reduced pressure. Recrystallization of the residue from ethyl acetate-hexane gave the objective substance (4.6 g, 81%).