Sodium Hydroxide → (R)-3-{4-[3-(3,5-Bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-1-(4-cyclohexylphenyl)ureidomethyl]benzoylamino]-2-hydroxypropionic Acid

(R)-3-{4-[3-(3,5-Bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-1-(4-cyclohexylphenyl)ureidomethyl] benzoyl-amino}-2-hydroxypropionic acid ethyl ester (0.26 g, 0.38 mmol) was dissolved in ethanol (96%, 15 mL) and added sodium hydroxide (4 N, 0.57 mL, 2.3 mmol). After stirring at 25 OC for 1 hour the mixture was evaporated in vacuo, and the residue was added water (30 mL) and acidified with hydrochloric acid (4 N, 0.62 mL). The aqueous phase was extracted twice with ethyl acetate (25 mL and 10 mL) and the combined organic phases were washed with saturated sodium chloride:water (1:1), dried (magnesium sulphate) and concentrated in vacuo to afford 0.21 g of the title compound.