Patent ID: 7429675

Claim:
A process for the preparation of substantially racemic 2-{[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]thio}-3-[4-(2-{4-[(methylsulfonyl)oxy]phenoxy}ethyl)-phenyl]propanoic acid comprising reacting a compound of formula I enriched in one enantiomer with a chlorosilane of formula ClSiR 1 R 2 R 3 in which R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 independently represent a C 1-6 alkyl group or aryl in the presence of a nitrogenous base in the presence of an inert solvent at a temperature in the range of 0 to 150° C. to give a compound of formula II in which R, R 2 , and R 3 are previously defined which is hydrolysed to give a racemic compound of formula III