To a solution of 2-bromo-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)ethanone (0.462 g, 1.24 mmol) (Example 26, Step 2) in ethanol (10 mL) in a 25 mL round bottom flask was added piperidine thiocarboxamide (0.198 g, 1.37 mmol) and the solution was heated to reflux for 14 hours. The reaction was cooled to room temperature and concentrated in vacuo yielding a foam. This foam was dissolved in methylene chloride and washed successively with NaHCO3 saturated solution (3 portions) and brine, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and reconcentrated in vacuo yielding 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-(1-piperidinyl)-thiazole (0.371 g, 72%) as a yellow-green fluffy solid: mp 173°-175° C., 1H NMR (CDCl3) 400 mHz δ7.77 (d, J=8.56 Hz, 2H), 7.46 (dd, J=5.60, 8.80), 7.38 (d, J=8.56 Hz, 2H), 6.99 (t, J=8.80 Hz, 2H), 3.53 (s (broad), 4H), 3.05 (s, 3H), 1.70 (s (broad), 6H). MS (EI): m/z 417 (MH+). HRMS Δ=-1.5 mmu.
