2-cyano-2-(2-nitro-5-phenoxy-benzyl)-hex-5-enoic acid ethyl ester (2.84 g, 7.20 mmol) was dissolved in methanol (42 mL). In a separate flask LiOH (1.5 g, 36.0 mmol) was dissolved in water (21 mL). The LiOH solution was added to the methanolic solution containing 2-cyano-2-(2-nitro-5-phenoxy-benzyl)-hex-5-enoic acid ethyl ester and the reaction was allowed to stir at room temperature for 2 hours. Next, 12N HCl (3 mL) was added to the reaction mixture followed by removal of the methanol under reduced pressure. The reaction mixture was poured into a separatory funnel, ethyl acetate was added and the organic layer washed 2 times with 1N HCl and one time with saturated brine solution. The organic layer was separated, dried with sodium sulfate, filtered and the solvent was removed to yield a residue.
