4-(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl isothiocyanate (9.65 g, 0.0475 moles) was added to a solution of 4-(4-methylamino-3-amino-phenoxy)-pyridine-2-carbonitrile (12.0 g, 0.05 moles) in MeCN (60 mL). HPLC analysis indicated complete conversion of the amine after 40 min. The mixture was filtered and the removed solids washed with MeCN (2×12 mL). DIPEA (17.5 mL, 0.1 moles) was added to the filtrate. 2-Chloro-1,3-dimethylimidazolinium chloride (DMC) was added in 4×2.11-g portions (8.44 g, 0.05 moles) every 10 min. After the final addition, the mixture was allowed to stir an additional 10 min when HPLC analysis indicated complete conversion. The mixture was then heated to 50° C. (internal temperature). After 45 min at 50° C., HPLC analysis indicated complete conversion to the product. The mixture was allowed to cool to ambient temperature and then H2O (45 mL) was added. The reaction mixture was initially homogeneous before compound began to precipitate from the mixture. After stirring for 2 h, the solid was collected by filtration and washed with 2:1 MeCN/H2O (2×20 mL). The crude product was dried in a vacuum oven at 50° C. for 16 h to afford 16.10 g (78%) of the title compound 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 9.5 (m, 1 H), 8.5 (m, 1 H), 8.0 (m, 2 H), 7.7 (m, 2H), 7.6 (m, 1H), 7.4 (m, 1 H), 7.3 (m, 1 H), 7.1 (m, 1 H), 6.9 (m, 1 H), 3.7 (m, 3 H); APCI MS [M+H]+=410; HPLC >99% (LCAP).
