Preparation of tropenol (I) involves: (a) reducing a scopine ester (II) using zinc in presence of an activating metal salt； and (b) saponifying the product using base. Preparation of tropenol of formula (I) (or its acid addition salt) involves: (a) reducing a scopine ester of formula (II) (or its acid addition salt or hydrate) using zinc in presence of an activating metal salt (preferably an iron or copper salt) in a solvent； and (b) saponifying the product using base. [Image] R : 1-4C alkyl or phenyl-(1-4C) alkyl (both optionally substituted by OH or 1-4C alkoxy).
