Sodium hydride (60% dispersion in oil, 905 mg, 22.5 mmol) was placed in anhydrous THF (200 ml) and cooled down to 0° C. 6-Benzoyl-2-methyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1,3,6-triaza-benzo[e]azulene from Example E5.8 (4.9 g, 16.1 mmol) was added dropwise and the mixture was stirred for 1 h at room temperature. Benzyl bromide (2.31 ml, 19.3 mmol) and potassium iodide (1.34 g, 8.0 mmol) were added and the mixture was stirred for 16 h. The solution was diluted with EtOAC, washed with saturated NaHCO3 then brine, dried and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluant; EtOAc) to yield the title compound (5.73 g, 90%).
