To a stirred solution of 4-(6-methylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-2-yl)aniline (0.10 g, 0.448 mmol), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (0.06 g, 0.448 mmol), 4-methylaminobenzoic acid (0.068 g, 0.448 mmol) and triethylamine (62 μl, 0.045 g, 0.448 mmol) in dry DMF (5 ml) at 0° C. was added 1-ethyl-3-[3-(dimethylaminopropyl]-carbodiimide hydrochloride (0.086 g, 0.448 mmol) under an atmosphere or argon. After 10 min the cooling bath was removed and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 d. The reaction mixture was then added to water (150 ml) with stirring and the precipitate was collected by filtration. Purification by flash chromatography (25:1 DCM/MeOH) gave the title compound (0.053 g, 33%) as an almost colourless solid.
