A solution of trimethylaluminium (2.0 M in hexane, 1 eq) was added slowly to a stirred solution of 3-{2-[4-(2-methyl-5-quinolinyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl}aniline (D6, 1 eq) in dichloromethane (0.1 M) at 0° C. The reaction mixture was stirred for 15 min then a solution of phthalide (1 eq) in dichloromethane was added dropwise. The solution was stirred for 2 h at 0° C. then partitioned between saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution and ethyl acetate. The organic phase was dried over sodium sulfate and the solution was concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude 2-(hydroxymethyl)-N-(3-{2-[4-(2-methyl-5-quinolinyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl}phenyl)benzamide was dissolved in dichloromethane then N,N-diisopropylethylamine (1 eq.) and methanesulfonyl chloride (1 eq.) were added successively. The reaction mixture was stirred for 2 hours at room temperature then partitioned between saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution and dichloromethane. The organic phase was dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by chromatography (SPE cartridge, Silica) eluting with a gradient from dichloromethane-methanol (100:2) to (98:2) affording the title compound (yield 45%).
