To a stirred solution of (2-Azabicyclo[3.1.0]hex-3-yl)methanol (750 mg, 6.63 mmol) (obtained in step (i)) in dry 1,4-dioxan (20 mL) in a pressure reaction vessel was added 3,5-dibromopyridine (1.57 grams, 6.63 mmol), sodium tert-butoxide (700 mg, 7.3 mmol) and racemic-2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1′-binaphthyl (207 mg, 0.33 mmol). The reaction mixture was degassed for 30 minutes, then tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium (0) (122 mg, 0.133 mmol) was added. The screw cap was fixed on the reaction vessel, the temperature of the reaction was gradually increased to 110° C. and the reaction mixture was stirred at this temperature for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature diluted with saturated sodium bicarbonate and extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic layer was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, the solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the crude product was purified by 230-400 silica gel flash column chromatography to obtain title compound of 600 mg as solid. Yield: 33%.
