A mixture of ethyl {3-methoxy-4-[(5-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3-oxazol-4-yl)methoxy]phenyl}acetate (10.00 g), 2N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (40 mL), tetrahydrofuran (100 mL) and ethanol (20 mL) was stirred overnight at room temperature. The reaction mixture was acidified by adding hydrochloric acid and concentrated. The residue was extracted with an ethyl acetate/tetrahydrofuran (1:1, v/v) mixed solvent. The organic layer was washed successively with distilled water and saturated brine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was recrystallized from methanol-diethyl ether to give {3-methoxy-4-[(5-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3-oxazol-4-yl)methoxy]phenyl}acetic acid as a white solid (7.92 g, yield 85%). melting point: 176-177° C.
