A solution of 5.00 g (23.0 mmol) of 2,4-dichloro-5-trifluoromethylpyrimidine and 5.40 g (30.0 mmol) of (2R,3R)-3-benzyloxybutan-2-ol in 60 ml of diethyl ether and 65 ml of acetonitrile were admixed at 0° C. with 1.21 g (27.7 mmol) of sodium hydride (55% strength), divided into 3 portions, and then stirred for 90 minutes at 15° C. The mixture was admixed with dilute sodium chloride solution and extracted (3×) with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases were dried (Na2SO4), filtered and concentrated by evaporation. The resulting residue was purified chromatographically (hexane/ethyl acetate 95:5). This gave 1.60 g (4.4 mmol; yield: 19%) of the product.
