To a solution of (3,4-dichlorophenyl){2-[3-(phenylmethoxy)phenyl]ethyl}amine (4.32 g, 0.011 mol) in chlorobenzene (40 ml) was added 4-hydroxy phenyl acetic acid (2.43 g, 0.014 mol), followed by phosphorus trichloride (5 ml, 0.005 mol). The reaction was allowed to reflux at 135° C. overnight. Solvent was removed and the reaction was basified with 10% sodium hydroxide solution. The reaction was diluted with ethyl acetate and water. The organic was washed with brine, dried with MgSO4, filtered, and concentrated to provide the title compound (5.5 g, 99% yield): ES-MS (m/z) 506 [M+H]+.
