This procedure is based on the literature method.22,23 A solution of 1.03 g (2.88 mmol) of 44, 2.03 g (41.5 mmol) of NaCN in THF (30 mL) with 21 drops of H2O was stirred and heated at 75° C. under reflux for 2 h. The reaction mixture was poured into ice water (300 mL) and extracted with CH2Cl2 (3×, 100 mL). Combined organic extracts were washed with H2O (100 mL), dried over Na2SO4 and concentrated in vacuo giving a brown oil. Purification by flash chromatography on a 3×17 cm column of silica gel using 2:1 hexanes/EtOAc as eluent gave 557 mg (50%) of 45 as a white solid. Data for 45: TLC, T-1, Rf 0.3; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 1.24 (s, 3H, H-18), 5.06 (s, 2H, benzylic-H), 6.76 (d, 1H, J=2.7 Hz, H-4), 6.81 (dd, 1H, J=8.6, 2.7 Hz, H-2), 7.20 (d, 1H, J=8.6 Hz, H-1), 7.33–7.45 (m, 5H, Ar—H).
