Methyl 4-[3-(3-hydroxy-2-pyridyl)propyl]benzoate (0.87 g, 3.2 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (5 ml) and treated with benzyl bromide (0.66 g, 3.9 mmol) and potassium carbonate (0.53 g, 3.8 mmol). The reaction was stirred at ambient temperature potassium overnight and then partitioned between EtOAc/water. The organic phase was washed well with water, dried (MgSO4) and evaporated. The residue was purified (SiO2, CH2Cl2 /EtOAc) to give methyl 4-[3-(3-benzyloxy-2-pyridyl)propyl]benzoate as a pale yellow oil.
