3-Chloro-2-fluorobenzaldehyde → (Z)-3-(3-chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl)-2-(4-chloro-2-methoxy-phenyl)-acrylonitrile

Step C In a manner similar to the method described in Example 1b, 4-chloro-2-methoxybenzyl cyanide (1.8 g, 10 mmol) was reacted with 3-chloro-2-fluorobenzaldehyde (2 g, 13 mmol), methanolic solution (25 wt %) of sodium methoxide (15 mL, 66 mmol) in methanol (50 mL) at 50° C. for 2 h to give (Z)-3-(3-chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl)-2-(4-chloro-2-methoxy-phenyl)-acrylonitrile as a white powder (2.1 g, 65%).