A stirred solution of 1.7 grams (0.008 mole) of 2-amino-5-bromo-6-methylbenzonitrile, 3.2 grams (0.012 mole) of 3,5-di(trifluoromethyl)phenylboronic acid, 4.3 grams (0.031 mole) of potassium carbonate and 0.3 mL of tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) in 150 mL of toluene was heated at 90° C. for about 20 hours. After this time, the reaction mixture was stirred with 100 mL of water, and the organic layer was separated. The organic layer was concentrated under reduced pressure to a residue. The residue was subjected to column chromatography on silica gel, using 30/65/5 and 20/60/20 methylene chloride/petroleum ether/ethyl acetate as eluants. The product-containing fractions were combined and concentrated under reduced pressure, yielding about 1.0 gram of 2-amino-6-methyl-5-[3,5-di(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]benzonitrile. The NMR spectrum was consistent with the proposed structure.
