To a rapidly stirred solution of 5-amino-3-cyano-1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-4-iodopyrazole (0.25 g) in toluene (2 ml) containing tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) (0.02 g) was added saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (1 ml) and a solution of phenylboronic acid (0.15 g) in ethanol (1 ml). The mixture was heated under reflux for 1 hour, then left at room temperature overnight and then poured into ether (25 ml) and water (25 ml). The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO4) and evaporated. The residue was taken up the minimum amount of ethyl acetate and purified by column chromatography on silica gel (20 g) eluted with dichloromethane:hexane (1:1). Combination and evaporation of suitable fractions followed by recrystallisation from ether/hexane gave the title compound as a white solid, m.p. 198-9° C.
