which was reduced to 3. A similar condensation was again reported by Maier et al.(although without experimental detail) using 4-brom~ butyronitrile~ or 4-chlorobutyronitrilelo in synthesis designed to obtain labeled 3. A more elaborate synthesis of 3 was reported by Maier and Schutte" but could not be duplicated by Leete and McDonell,'who finally developed a new multistep synthesis of labeled 3 starting from ethyl 4-bromobutanoate. ...