To a solution of Lithium diisopropyl amide (1.0M) in tetrahydrofuran was added 4-picoline dropwise (7.55 ml, 5 eq.) at 0° C. under N2. After 30 min the anion was cooled to −78° C. In a separate round bottom flask N-Methoxy-N-methyl-4-(quinolin-2-ylmethoxy)-benzamide (5.0, 15.5 mmole) was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (77 ml, 0.2M) and cooled to −78° C. under N2. 1.2 eq. of the 4-picoline anion was added dropwise to the amide solution. After 45 min, 1 eq. more of the 4-picoline anion was added. After an addition 30 min, acetic acid (40 ml) was added dropwise and the reaction was slowly warmed to ambient temperature. The solid product (acetate salt) was filtered and partitioned between saturated sodium bicarbonate and dichloromethane. The layers were separated, dried magnesium sulfate filtered and concentrated to provide the title compound as a tan solid (4.41 g, 80%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.52 (d, J=5.8 Hz, 2 H), 8.19 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1 H), 8.07 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.93 (m, 2 H), 7.82 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1 H), 7.75 (m, 1 H), 7.61 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1 H), 7.54 (dt, J=7.9, 1.0 Hz, 1 H), 7.23 (m, 2 H) 7.07 (m, 2H), 5.42 (s, 2H), 4.19 (s, 2H); MS: (M+H m/z=355.2).
