To a solution of methyl 7-(4-butoxyethoxyphenyl)-1-[(1-methylimidazol-2-yl)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1-benzazepine-4-carboxylate (367 mg) in a mixture of tetrahydrofuran (24 ml) and methanol (24 ml) was added 1N sodium hydroxide solution (8 ml), and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 days. Then, to the mixture was added water at 0° C., and 1N hydrochloric acid was further added to neutralize, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water and saturated brine and dried with magnesium sulfate. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure, which was recrystallized from hexane-ethyl acetate to give 7-(4-butoxyethoxyphenyl)-1-[(1-methylimidazol-2-yl)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1-benzazepine-4-carboxylic acid (285 mg) as yellow crystals.
