To a solution of 3-(benzyloxy)-5-bromo-6-(1-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)-1-methylpyridin-2(1H)-one (0.34 g, 0.821 mmol) in 2 mL THY was added PdCl2(dppf)-CH2Cl2 adduct (67 mg, 0.082 mmol), biphenyl-3-ylboronic acid (179 mg, 0.903 mmol), and 1 N aqueous cesium carbonate solution (2 mL, 2 mmol). The resulting mixture was microwaved in a sealed vial at 155° C. for 10 min. The aqueous layer was removed and discarded, and the organic layer was collected, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, concentrated and purified by silica gel chromatography to afford 3-(benzyloxy)-5-(biphenyl-3-yl)-6-(1-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)-1-methylpyridin-2(1H)-one (100 mg, 0.205 mmol, 25% yield).
