To a suspension of methyl (3S,4R)-1-benzyl-4-(2,4-difluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-3-carboxylate, from preparation 20 (15 g, 45 mmol) in ethanol (225 mL) at room temperature under dry nitrogen was added 10% palladium on carbon (Degussa type) (1.5 g), and the reaction mixture placed under 50 psi pressure of hydrogen, and heated to 40° C. overnight. After cooling to room temperature, the reaction mixture was filtered through Celite® and concentrated in vacuo to afford the title compound as an orange oil (10.8 g, 98%).
