A suspension of 3-(4-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)aniline (6.63 mg, 0.027 mmol) in DMF (5 mL) was added to a solution of 2-(4-(5-ethoxy-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropyridin-3-yl)-2-fluorophenyl)acetic acid (8 mg, 0.027 mmol) in DMF (5 mL). HOBt (6.31 mg, 0.041 mmol), EDC (7.90 mg, 0.041 mmol) and Et3N (0.011 mL, 0.082 mmol) were added and the mixture was stirred at 50° C. for 12 h. Then the solution was concentrated and distributed between EA and saturated NaHCO3 solution. The combined organic extract was washed with brine, dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated. The crude material was purified by preparative HPLC (MeCN/H2O as eluants, acidic condition) to yield an off white solid of 2-(4-(5-ethoxy-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropyridin-3-yl)-2-fluorophenyl)-N-(3-(4-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)acetamide, hydrochloride (1.60 mg, 2.90 μmol, 10.6% yield). TLC (DCM/MeOH=10:1, Rf=0.3): 1H NMR (400 MHz, CD3OD) δ: 9.41 (d, J=1.54 Hz, 1H), 8.37-8.45 (m, 1H), 7.96 (s, 1H), 7.73-7.88 (m, 2H), 7.18-7.52 (m, 5H), 4.14 (q, J=7.06 Hz, 2H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 2.43 (s, 3H), 1.46 (t, J=6.95 Hz, 3H); ES-LCMS m/z 515.1 (M+H).
