7-Bromo-5-methoxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-benzoxazole (200 mg, 0.60 mmol) and tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) (63 mg, 0.03 mmol) were dissolved in toluene (5 mL) and stirred for 10 min at room temperature under a nitrogen atmosphere. Benzene boronic acid (110 mg, 0.90 mmol) was added, followed by aqueous sodium carbonate (2 M, 1.5 mL) and ethanol (2 mL). The mixture was refluxed for 12 h, diluted with water and extracted with EtOAc. The organic extracts were dried over MgSO4. Evaporation and purification by flash chromatography (20%-40% EtOAc/petroleum ether) gave the title compound as a light pink solid, mp 92° C.; MS m/e 332 (M+H)+.
