4-Bromo-2-iodo-1-methoxybenzene (6.07 g, 19.40 mmol), (E)-ethyl 3-(2-amino-5-(benzylthio)phenyl)acrylate (5.066 g, 16.16 mmol), Pd2(dba)3 (0.370 g, 0.404 mmol), Xntphos (0.468 g, 0.808 mmol) and cesium carbonate (7.37 g, 22.63 mmol) were combined in CPME (32.3 ml) and the reaction was heated to 90° C. overnight. The reaction was cooled to RT, diluted with EtOAc and filtered over a pad of Celite (washing with EtOAc). The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo and the crude oil was then taken up in DCM and purified via MPLC, eluting with 0-20% ethyl acetate in heptanes to yield (E)-ethyl 3-(5-(benzylthio)-2-((5-bromo-2-methoxyphenyl)amino)phenyl)acrylate (6.92 g, 13.88 mmol, 86% yield) as a yellow solid. MS (ESI, pos. ion) m/z: [M+1] 498.0
