A mixture of methyl 2-bromo-3-[3-fluoro-4-(5-methyl-2-phenyl-4-oxazolylmethoxy)phenyl]propionate (14.2 g), 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene (DBU) (4.83 g) and toluene (150 ml) was stirred at 80 to 90° C. for 2 hours, and then poured into 2N hydrochloric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate layer was washed with water, dried over magnesium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure to give methyl3-fluoro-4-(5-methyl-2-phenyl-4-oxazolylmethoxy)-cinnamate (10.0 g, 86%). This product was recrystallized from dichloromethane-methanol. Colorless prisms, mp: 167-168° C.
