To a mixture of 4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(2-methyl-1-imidazolyl)-5-oxazolepropanol (352 mg), 2-methylphenol (216 mg), tributylphosphine (405 mg) and tetrahydrofuran (10 mL) was added 1,1′-(azodicarbonyl)dipiperidine (450 mg) at room temperature, and the mixture was stirred for 1 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated and the residue was subjected to silica gel column chromatography. The title compound was obtained as crystals from an eluate from ethyl acetate-hexane (2:3, v/v). Recrystallization from acetone-isopropyl ether gave colorless prism crystals (271 mg, 61%). melting point: 116-117° C.
