The reductive alkylation of (S)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthalenylamine (I) with 3-phenoxybenzaldehyde (II) in the presence of NaBH4 affords the secondary amine (III), which is then acylated with 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (IV), followed by aqueous hydrolysis to furnish the title compound.