To a solution of benzyl 3-(isopropylamino)benzoate (5) in dry dichloromethane (0.4 M) under Ar at 0° C. was added triethylamine (1.5 equiv) followed by triphosgene (1.5 equiv). The resulting mixture was stirred at rt for 15 min and was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was suspended in dry toluene (0.4 M), DMAP (1.0 equiv) and 4-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole-5-carbonitrile (2) (1.0 equiv) were added and the resulting suspension was heated to reflux for 1 h, then cooled to rt, diluted with AcOEt and washed with water, 10% HCl and brine. The organic layer was dried (MgSO4), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (Hexanes/AcOEt as eluant). Benzyl 3-(5-cyano-4-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-N-isopropyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole-1-carboxamido)benzoate (6) was obtained as a pale yellow foam.
