Production of 2-amin-2-[2-(2-(40-C2-20-alkyl-phenyl)ethyl]propane-1,3-diols

A process for preparing a 2-amino-2-[2-(4-C2-20alkylphenyl)ethyl]propane-1,3-diol, in free form or in salt form, which process comprises

• g) reducing a compound of formula (20)
• wherein R is C2-20alkyl, each of R1 and R2, independently, is C1-4alkyl and R3 is a protecting group,
• in the presence of (R4—CO)2O wherein R4 is C1-4alkyl, to obtain a compound of formula (21)
• wherein R, R3 and R4 are as defined above;
• and
• i) treating the resulting compound of formula (21) with a basic compound to obtain a compound of formula (22)
• wherein R is as defined above;
• and
• j) hydrogenating the resulting compound (22) and, where required, converting the resulting 2-amino-2-[2-(4-C2-20alkylphenyl)ethyl]propane-1,3-diol, into the desired salt form.