A solution of 5.89 g (13.87 mmol, 1 eq) of methyl (E)-3-[3′-(3-heptyl-1-methylureido)-2-hydroxybiphenyl-4-yl]acrylate in 10 ml of methanol and 10 mL of ethyl acetate in the presence of 3 mL of acetic acid and 1.0 g (17% by mass) of 10% palladium-on-charcoal is stirred for 12 hours at room temperature under a hydrogen atmosphere. The palladium is filtered off through Celite and the solvents are evaporated off. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel (7/3 heptane/ethyl acetate) and crystallized from pentane. 3.0 g of methyl 3-[3′-(3-heptyl-1-methylureido)-2-hydroxybiphenyl-4-yl]propanoate are obtained in solid form. Yield=60%
