To a solution of ethyl (2E)-3-{4-[(3-fluoro-4-hydroxyphenyl)(cycloheptylidene)methyl]phenyl}-2-propenoate (134) (0.22 g, 0.56 mmol) in a mixture of EtOH (6 mL) and THF (6 mL) was added an aqueous solution of 1 N NaOH (7 mL). The mixture was stirred at 60° C. for 2 h. Upon cooling, the mixture was acidified to pH=2 with an aqueous solution of 2 N HCl. The mixture was extracted with EtOAc (2×50 mL). The combined organic extract was washed with brine and dried over Na2SO4. Upon concentration, light brown foam was obtained. It was triturated with hexanes (contains 1% MeOH) to give compound 135 as a pale yellow solid (0.171 g, 84%). mp 164-165° C. 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 1.51 (br s, 8H), 2.10-2.30 (m, 4H), 6.45 (d, J=15.9 Hz, 1H), 6.70-6.78 (m, 1H), 6.80-6.90 (m, 1H), 7.14 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 2H), 7.53 (d, J=16.2 Hz, 1H), 7.59 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 2H), 9.74 (s, 1H), 12.35 (s, 1H). LCMS (ES): m/z 367 (M+H)+, m/z 365 (M−H)−. Anal. Calcd for C23H23FO3.0.1H2O: C, 75.02; H, 6.35; Found: C, 74.93; H, 6.44.
