To a solution of (E)-4-(benzylideneamino)isobenzofuran-1(3H)-one (1.78 g, 7.5 mmol) and 1-methyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5-carbaldehyde (1.01 g, 9.16 mmol) in ethyl propionate (110 mL) was added EtONa (sodium (490 mg, 21 mmol) in 35 mL ethanol) at 40° C., then the mixture was stirred at 41° C. for 3 hr. The resulting mixture was evaporated under reduced pressure and extracted with ethyl acetate (150 mL×4) and concentrated. The crude product was purified by column chromatography (silica gel, dichloromethane:methanol=200:1 to 50:1) to obtain a green solid (400 mg, yield 14%). LC-MS (ESI) m/z: 377 (M+1)+.
