Combine (+)-1-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-(2-acetoxyethyl)pyrrolidine (670 mg, 1.35 mmol) and aqueous lithium hydroxide solution (4.2 mL, 1M) in methanol (15 mL). After 3.5 hours, concentrate in vacuo to give a residue. Dissolve the residue in dichloromethane and extract with 1M hydrochloric acid solution and saturated sodium bicarbonate solution. Dry the organic layer over MgSO4, filter, and concentrate in vacuo to obtain a residue. The residue was dried under high vacuum for 18 hours to give (S)-1-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyrrolidine: Rf=0.11 (silica gel, ethyl acetate).
