3-Iodo-N-(3-methyl-2-pyridinyl)benzenesulfonamide (18.7 g, 50 mmol), ethyl 5-ethynyl-2-hydroxybenzoate (9.5 g, 50 mmol), triethylamine (65 ml) and tetrahydrofuran (65 ml) were stirred at 60° C. Dichlorobis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (250 mg, 0.36 mmol) and copper(I)iodide (140 mg, 0.7 mmol) were added with stirring. After 1 h the solution was poured into dilute hydrochloric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed with water, dried, treated with activated carbon and the solvent evaporated. The residue was recrystallized from methanol, then from toluene and finally from acetic acid. Yield 12.7 g 58%.
