A solution of 2300 mg (5.87 mmol) of ethyl E-6-[2-(4-cyanophenyl)ethyl]-8-(2-hydroxyphenyl)oct-7-enoate from Example 87A in 160 ml of dry acetonitrile is mixed with 1600 mg (7.05 mmol) of 4-(tert-butyl)benzyl bromide and 1220 mg (8.81 mmol) of anhydrous potassium carbonate and heated to reflux for 12 hours. The mixture is then concentrated to dryness. The residue is taken up in ethyl acetate, washed with water and saturated sodium chloride solution and dried over sodium sulfate. The organic phase is concentrated. The resulting crude product is purified by flash chromatography an silica gel (mobile phase: cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 10:1). 2800 mg (5.21 mmol, 88% yield) of a solid are obtained.
