Stir a solution of 4.84 g (14.2 mmol) of methyl 3-bromo-4-iodobenzoate (J. Med. Chem., 1999, 42, 4088) and 3.88 g (21.29 mmol) of 2,6-dimethoxyphenyl boronic acid in 120 mL of DMF and 14.2 mL of a 2M aqueous solution of caesium carbonate for 15 minutes under argon, then add 984 mg (0.85 mmol) of Pd(PPh3)4 and heat for 2.5 h at 85° C. After concentration under reduced pressure, distribute the residue obtained in 600 mL of a 1:1 DCM/water mixture. Wash the organic phase with 100 mL of water, dry over MgSO4 and concentrate at reduced pressure. Purify the residue obtained by silica gel column chromatography, eluting with a heptane/EtOAc gradient from 0 to 10% of EtOAc. After concentration under reduced pressure, we obtain 2.79 g of methyl 2-bromo-2′,6′-dimethoxybiphenyl-4-carboxylate in the form of oil.
