To a solution of ethyl 5-bromonicotinate (0.58 g, 2.53 mmol) in acetonitrile (15 mL) and water (5 mL) were added (2-fluoro-4-methylphenyl)boronic acid (0.47 g, 3.04 mmol), 3,3′,3″-phosphinidynetris(benzenesulfonic acid) trisodium salt (0.22 g, 0.38 mmol), palladium(II)acetate (28.4 mg, 0.13 mmol) and diisopropylamine (0.90 mL, 6.32 mmol). The mixture was heated to 80° C. After 1 h, the mixture was cooled to ambient temperature and saturated aqueous NaHCO3 was added. The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (3×). The combined organic extracts were washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. Purification by silica gel chromatography (100% hexanes→70% hexanes/ethyl acetate) gave the title compound (0.67 g). MS 260.1 (M+1).
