Sodium borohydride → 6-Methoxy-1-benzothiophene

6-Methoxybenzo[b]thiophen-3(2H)-one (1.4 g, 7.76 mmol) was dissolved in a mixture of methanol (18 mL) and 2.5 M sodium hydroxide (3 mL). The mixture was treated with sodium borohydride (0.589 g, 15 mmol) in 10 mL of methanol and 3 mL of 2.5 M sodium hydroxide. The reflux was heated to reflux for 1 h and then at 60° C. overnight. The reaction was cooled down to room temperature and the methanol removed in vacuo. The remaining aqueous layer was acidified to pH 4 with 1 N hydrochloric acid. The aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate and washed with 1 N HCl. The organic layer was further washed with water, saturated sodium bicarbonate, water and brine. The organic layer was dried with sodium sulfate, concentrated and purified by flash chromatography using a gradient of 20 to 50% ethyl acetate in hexanes to afford a clear oil (0.843 g).