A solution of (4-nitro-phenyl)-acetic acid ethyl ester (Preparation 266, 3.4 g, 16.1 mmol) in methanol (100 mL) was degassed with argon for 15 min, treated with 10% palladium on charcoal (700 mg), and then stirred at room temperature under hydrogen (balloon pressure) for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was filtered through celite, washed with methanol (2 × 20 mL) and the filtrate Ethyl 4-aminophenylacetate was evaporated in vacuo. Yield: 96%, 2.8 g, oil. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 1.23 (t, 3H), 3.47 (s, 2H), 3.60 (br s, 2H), 4.11 (q, 2 H), 6.63 (d, 2H), 7.05 (d, 2H).
