TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The method further involves purifying raloxifene free base by converting to a salt (preferably hydrochloride salt) in a solvent comprising water and acetone, recrystallizing, and converting the salt to raloxifene. The hydrolyzing is conducted at 100-115 degrees C. In the method (p2), the benzothiophene hydrochloride (II) is prepared by a process involving reacting 4-(2-(piperidinyl)ethoxy)benzoic acid hydrochloride with thionyl chloride, in an organic solvent, to form 4-(2-(piperidinyl)ethoxy)benzoyl chloride hydrochloride; and acylating 6-methylsulfonyloxy-2-(4-methylsulfonyloxy)phenyl) benzothiophene with 4-(2-(piperidinyl)ethoxy)benzoyl chloride hydrochloride, in the presence of a Lewis acid and a solvent, to form 6-methylsulfonyloxy-2-((4-methylsulfonyloxy)phenyl)-3-(4(2-(piperidinyl)ethoxy)benzoyl)benzothiophene hydrochloride followed by purifying in presence of an organic solvent or a solvent comprising isopropyl alcohol and acetone. Preferred Components: The aqueous base comprises an alkali metal hydroxide, carbonate, or bicarbonate (preferably alkali metal hydroxide). The organic solvent is a halogenated hydrocarbon (preferably dichloromethane). ACTIVITY - None given.    MECHANISM OF ACTION - Estrogen receptor modulator. No biological data given.    EXAMPLE - 4-(2-(Piperidinyl)ethoxy)benzoic acid hydrochloride (55 g) was charged into a round bottom flask containing dichloromethane (200 ml) and the mixture was stirred for 10 minutes. Thionyl chloride (56 ml) was added slowly and the mixture was heated to 40 degrees C and maintained for 2-3 hours until completion of the reaction. Solvent was distilled completely under vacuum, then petroleum ether (2 times with 119 ml) was added to the residue and distilled completely under vacuum, to afford 4-(2-(piperidinyl)ethoxy)benzoyl chloride hydrochloride. The obtained 4-(2-(piperidinyl)ethoxy)benzoylchloride hydrochloride was charged into a round bottom flask containing dichloromethane (500 ml). 6- Methylsulfonyloxy-2-(4-methylsulfonyloxy)phenyl)benzothiophene (50 g) was added, then the mixture was stirred for 15 minutes and cooled to 10-15 degrees C. Aluminum chloride (137.5 g) was added at 10-15 degrees C. The mass was stirred for 3-4 hours at 25-35 degrees C until completion of the reaction. The reaction was quenched by adding acetic acid solution (aqueous acetic acid 150 ml and water (850 ml)) at 0-5 degrees C and the mixture was stirred for 10-15 minutes, then the organic and aqueous layers were separated. The organic layer was washed with water (2 times with 238 ml), then (5%) aqueous hydrochloric acid (2 times with 12.5 ml). The obtained organic solution was distilled completely under vacuum to afford a residue. Isopropanol (50 ml) was added to the residue and distilled completely under vacuum below 60 degrees C. Acetone (50 ml) and isopropanol (300 ml) were added to the residue and heated to 50 degrees C, stirred for 30-45 minutes, cooled to 25-35 degrees C, and stirred for solid formation. The solid was filtered and washed with isopropanol (100 ml) and suction dried for 60 minutes. The solid was charged into a round bottom flask containing isopropanol (150 ml), heated to reflux, maintained for 30 minutes, cooled to 25-30 degrees C, and stirred for solid formation. The solid was filtered and washed with isopropanol (50 ml). The solid was dried under vacuum at 60-70 degrees C for 5 hours, to afford 6-methylsulfonyloxy-2-((4-methylsulfonyloxy)phenyl)-3-(4(2-(piperidinyl)ethoxy)benzoyl)benzothiophene hydrochloride (65 g) with HPLC purity of 96.27%. 6-Methylsulfonyloxy-2((4-methyl sulfonyloxy)phenyl)-3-(4(2-(piperidinyl)ethoxy)benzoyl)benzothiophene hydrochloride (50 g) was charged into a round bottom flask. Potassium hydroxide (72 g) dissolved in water (250 ml) was added and the mixture was heated to 105-110 degrees C and maintained for 30-45 minutes. Water (250 ml) was added and the mixture was cooled to 20-25 degrees C. Acetone (50 ml) was added, the pH of the reaction solution was adjusted to 10, and the mixture was stirred for 45 minutes. The formed solid was filtered, washed with acetone (50 ml), and suction dried for 30 minutes. The wet solid was charged into a round bottom flask containing acetone (172 ml) and water (86.2 ml) and heated to 60 degrees C. The pH was adjusted to 2 by addition of aqueous hydrochloric acid (5%, 10 ml) and the solution was cooled to 0-5 degrees C and stirred for solid formation. The solid was filtered, washed with acetone, and suction dried for 30 minutes, to afford raloxifene (31 g) with HPLC purity of 99.91%.