To a solution of methyl 4-bromo-3-(methoxymethyl)benzoate (Intermediate 1 Step 2, 15.0 g, 57.9 mmol) in toluene (120 mL) and water (30 mL) under nitrogen was added 2-chlorophenylboronic acid (19.9 g, 127.4 mmol), followed by potassium carbonate (16 g, 115.8 mmol) and Pd(PPh3)4 (3.34 g, 2.8 mmol). After 3 hours at 100° C., the reaction mixture was diluted with EtOAc (200 mL) and washed with a saturated aqueous solution of NaHCO3 (100 mL), water (2×100 mL) and brine. The organic layer was dried (Na2SO4) and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by chromatography (silica gel, pet ether/EtOAc) to afford of the title compound as a pale yellow oil. LC/MS (Method B): 291.0 (M+H)+. 1H NMR (CDCl3, 400 MHz) δ 8.21 (1H, s), 8.01 (1H, d), 7.48 (1H, m), 7.34 (2H, m), 7.26 (2H, m), 4.33 (1H, d), 4.20 (1H, d), 3.94 (3H, s), 3.27 (3H, s).
