Sodium borohydride (254 mg, 6.72 mmols) was added to a methanol (15 ml) solution of methyl 4-[4-(4,5,6,7-tetramethoxyindan-1-on-2-yl)butoxy]benzoate (1.54 g, 3.36 mmols), with cooling with ice, and then the mixture allowed to warm to room temperature, and stirring was continued for 6 hours. Water was added to the reaction mixture, which was then neutralized with hydrochloric acid added thereto, and thereafter extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water and a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, and then dried. The solvent was evaporated out in vacuo to obtain methyl 4-[4-(1-hydroxy-4,5,6,7-tetramethoxyindan-2-yl)butoxy]benzoate (1.50 g).
