To an ice-cold solution of [4-butyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazole-5-yl]-methanol (1.0 g, 3.17 mmol), 2-chloro-4-hydroxy-benzoic acid methyl ester (592 mg, 3.17 mmol) and triphenylphosphine (832 mg, 3.17 mmol) in dichloromethane add diethyl azodicarboxylate (0.567 mL, 3.17 mmol). Stir the reaction mixture for 2 hours while allowing it to warm to room temperature. Remove the solvent under reduced pressure and purify the residue by flash chromatography on silica gel to give 4-[4-butyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy]-2-chloro-benzoic acid methyl ester (600 mg).
