To a solution of 3.27 g (7 mmol) of methyl 8-(p-chlorophenylsulfonamido)-4-[3-(3-pyridyl)propyl]-oct-2-enoate (example 3) in 32 ml methanol, 0.446 g (1.87 mmol) cobalt (II) chloride hexahydrate is added. The solution is cooled in an ice bath and 0.573 g (15 mmol) sodium borohydride is added in small portions. Vigorous gas evolution and formation of a black precipitate is observed during the addition of sodium borohydride. After completion of the addition, the ice bath is removed and the mixture stirred at room temperature for 1 h. The black precipitate is filtered off and washed with methanol. The combined filtrate is evaporated and the residue suspended in a mixture of 30 ml methylene chloride and 150 ml ether. The organic layer is washed with water. The aqueous phase is extracted with ether (2×50 ml). The combined organic extract is dried (MgSO4), filtered and the solvent evaporated. The residue is subjected to flash chromatography on silica using 3:2 ethyl acetate/hexane as the eluent to give methyl 8-(p-chlorophenylsulfonamido)-4-[3-(3-pyridyl)propyl]-octanoate, m.p. 81°-82°.
