To a stirred solution of 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (Intermediate 1) (1 g, 3.1 mmol) in dry tetrahydrofuran (12.2 ml) was added tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) (0.18 g, 0.153 mmol) and (3-chlorobenzyl)zinc(II) chloride (9.2 ml of a 0.5 M solution in tetrahydrofuran, 4.6 mmol). The reaction was stirred at 60° C. for 17 hours and then partitioned between ethyl acetate and water. The organic extracts were washed with water and brine and then dried, filtered and concentrated to give a yellow oil. The oil was purified using 0-70% ethyl acetate in petrol to afford the title compound (310 mg, 23%).
