To a solution of {2-(3-methoxyphenyl)ethyl}phenylamine (1.06 g, 4.65 mmol) in ethyl acetate (80 mL) under nitrogen was added a solution of 4-bromophenylacetyl chloride (1.06 g, 4.65 mmol) in ethyl acetate (20 mL), the bromophenylacetyl chloride being prepared from the corresponding carboxylic acid (1 g, 4.65 mmol) and oxalyl chloride (0.61 mL, 6.98 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (20 mL). After 1 hour, the reaction was poured into water (50 mL). The organic layer was dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated to provide the title compound (1.92 g, 98% yield): EI-MS (m/z) 423.
