To a suspension of product from step B (14 g; 47 mmol), 2M Na2CO3 (61.1 ml; 122.2 mmol) phenylboronic acid (6.3 g; 51.7 mmole) and LiCl (3.98 g; 94 mmol) in toluene (400 ml), was added, under argon atmosphere, a solution of tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (1.01 ml; 1.88 mmol) in THF (150 ml). The mixture was refluxed overnight, washed with 2N, NaOH and saturated NaCl. The organic phase was evaporated and the residue purified by flash chromatography (AcOEt/Petroleum ether: 95/5) to give methyl 4-methyl-2-phenylbenzoate as an oil (10.44 g; 98%).
