Scheme 3 Reagents and Conditions: (a) Appropriate methoxybenzyl chloride, KOH, DMSO; rt, 4 h; (b) TMSCN, ZnI₂, CH₂Cl₂, rt, 4 h; (c) LiAlH₄, THF, rt, 4 h; (d) CDI, THF, rt, 4 h; (e) Ethyl bromoacetate, n-BuLi, THF, N₂, -78 ºC, rt, 12 h; (f) KOH, MeOH, reflux, 2 h.