Alkylation of 2-methoxy-5-nitrophenol (I) with cyclopentyl bromide (II) provides the cyclopentyl ether (III). Subsequent reduction of the nitro derivative (III) to aniline (IV) is effected by transfer hydrogenation in the presence of ammonium formate and Pd/C. Condensation of 3-(cyclopentyloxy)-4-methoxyaniline (IV) with 4-nitrophthalic anhydride (V) gives rise to phthalimide (VI). Reduction of imide (VI) by means of NaBH4 furnishes the amide alcohol (VII), which is further cyclized to isoindoline (VIII) under Mitsunobu conditions. Finally, transfer hydrogenation of nitro isoindoline (VIII) gives rise to the corresponding amine.