2′-Methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester was synthesized as described for 4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester. Ethyl 3-bromobenzoate (8.02 g, 35.03 mmol, 1 eq.) and o-tolylboronic acid (5.0 g, 36.78 mmol, 1.05 eq.) in THF were treated with aqueous 2M sodium carbonate (38.5 mL, 77.07 mmol, 2.2 eq.), palladium(II) acetate (0.79 g, 3.50 mmol, 10 mol %), triphenylphosphine (4.04 g, 15.40 mmol, 4.4×Pd), and copper(I) iodide (0.22 g, catalyst). When complete, the reaction was worked up as described leaving a dark brown oil.
