To a mixture of 3-(2,4-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)-4-methylbenzoic acid (compound 5.7, 0.484 g, 2.10 mmol), 4-(azetidin-3-yl)benzonitrile hydrochloride (compound 5.2, 0.41 g, 2.10 mmol), HOBT (0.085 g, 7.40 mmol) and EDCI (0.603 g, 3.15 mmol) in DMF (8 mL) was added DIEA (1.09 mL, 6.3 mmol). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours, then partitioned between EtOAc (300 mL) and water (30 mL). The organic layer was washed with brine (3×30 mL) and the combined aqueous phases were back extracted with EtOAc (2×50 mL). All organic extracts were combined, dried (MgSO4), filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (EtOAc to 5% MeOH in EtOAc) to yield the title compound as a white solid (0.35 g, 45%). m/z (ES+) 371 (M+H)+. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.66 (d with fine str., J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.54-7.48 (m, 2H), 7.44 (d with fine str., J=8.2 Hz, 2H), 7.30 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 4.77-4.56 (m, 2H), 4.35-4.18 (m, 2H), 3.97-3.87 (m, 1H), 2.38 (s, 3H), 2.30 (s, 3H), 2.10 (s, 3H).
