Dissolve 6-Amino-3′-trifluoromethyl-[2,2′]bipyridinyl-5-carboxylic acid hydrochloride (11.33 g, 35.44 mmol), N-hydroxy-succinimide (8.15 g, 70.9 mmol), and EDCI (10.19 g, 53.16 mmol) in a solution of dry THF (100 mL) and Hunig's base (16.12 g, 125 mmol). Stir the reaction mixture overnight at room temperature. Add ethyl acetate (200 mL) was and extract the organic phase with water (3×100 mL) and brine (100 mL). Dry the organic extract over Na2SO4 and remove the solvent under reduced pressure to yield the title compound as a brown foam.
