To 1 g (2.6 mmol) of 3-[2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(4-methoxy-benzyloxy)-1-trifluoromethyl-ethyl]-phenol (example 5) in 8 mL of dioxane were added 1.0 mL (8.8 mmol) of 2-phenyl-oxirane. The reaction was split in 2 portions. To each of those was added 4.28 g (13.1 mmol) of Cs2CO3 and each reaction mixture was treated for 30 min at 130° C. in the microwave. The mixtures were combined and water and ether were added. The aqueous phase was extracted with ether and the combined organic phases were washed with brine and dried (Na2SO4). After evaporation of the solvent the crude products were separated by column chromatography to give 810 mg (62%) of rac 1-phenyl-2-{3-[2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(4-methoxy-benzyloxy)-1-trifluoromethyl-ethyl]-phenoxy}-ethanol as light yellow oil, MS: 500 (M)+, and 250 mg (19%) of rac 2-phenyl-2-{3-[2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(4-methoxy-benzyloxy)-1-trifluoromethyl-ethyl]-phenoxy}-ethanol as light yellow oil, MS: 500 (M)+.
