A process for preparing 3-[(S)-7-bromo-2-((2-oxo propyl)amino)-5-pyridin-2-yl-3H-1,4,-benzodiazepin-3-yl]propionic acid methyl ester (compound (FK)), at a high conversion rate with good reproducibility by oxidizing 3-[(S)-7-bromo-2-(2-hydroxypropylamino)-5-pyridin-2-yl-3H-benzo[e][1,4]diazepin-3yl]propionic acid methyl ester (compound (EM)), in the presence of an oxidation catalyst is provided by defining the ammonium ion content of the oxidation reaction mixture.