A stirring solution of 5-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-2-hydroxymethyl-thiazole-4-carboxylic acid (632 mg, 2.0 mmol, 80% pure), EDC.HCl (311 mg, 2.0 mmol) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (270 mg, 2.0 mmol) in DMF (20 ml) was treated with (RS)-5,6-difluoro-2-piperidin-2-ylmethyl-1H-benzoimidazole, D18 (500 mg, 2.0 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature, under argon for 16 h. The DMF was removed in vacuo and the residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water. The organic phase was dried (Na2SO4) and the solvent removed in vacuo. Chromatography (silica gel, 0-10% methanol-ethyl acetate) afforded the title compound as a pale yellow solid (350 mg, 36%).
