Methyl iodide → (4-Benzyloxy-phenyl)-methyl-(4-methyl-2-nitro-phenyl)-amine

A solution of the product from Example 133A (229.4 mg, 0.6861 mmol) in anhydrous N,N-dimethylformamide (3 mL) was added to a suspension of sodium hydride (60% dispersion in mineral oil, 55 mg, 1.372 mmol) in N,N-dimethylformamide (3 mL) at room temperature under a nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour, then added methyl iodide (0.171 mL, 2.744 mmol) and let stir at room temperature for 2 hours. The solvent was removed by rotary evaporation under vacuum. The residue was taken up in water (30 mL) and extracted with methylene chloride (50 mL). The organic phase was washed with water (30 mL), dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated by rotary evaporation under vacuum to afford the title compound as a maroon-colored solid (239 mg, 100%).