[4-(4-Chlorophenyl)thiazol-2-yl]-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)amine (0.335 mg; 0.95 mmol) was dissolved in acetonitril (4 ml) and methyl 4-(bromomethyl)benzoate (238 mg; 1.04 mmol), potassium carbonate (195 mg; 1.41 mmol) and sodium iodide (212 mg; 1.41 mmol) were added. The reaction mixture was heated to 60° C. for 3 days, then filtered while still hot. The solvent was removed by rotary evaporation, then the residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (50 ml) and washed with water (50 ml) and brine (50 ml). The organic phase was dried with sodium sulphate, and taken to dryness by rotary evaporation. The residue was striped once with acetonitril to give pure 4-{[[4-(4-chlorophenyl)thiazol-2-yl]-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)amino]methyl}benzoic acid methyl ester as an oil. Yield; 454 mg (96%).
