A solution of 2-methoxy-3-nitro-6-(2-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyridin-4-ylamine (163 mg, 0.519 mmol, prepared as described in STEP B above) in THF (10 mL) was treated with NaH (62.2 mg, 1.56 mmol, 60% dispersion in oil), and the mixture was allowed to stir at room temperature for 1 h. Simultaneously, a solution of 3-tert-butyl-isoxazole-5-carboxylic acid (114 mg, 0.674 mmol, prepared as described in Example I above) in anhydrous DCM (10 mL) was treated with oxalyl chloride (58.8 μL, 0.674 mmol) and DMF (2 drops), and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h. Volatile components were removed in vacuo, and the residue was taken up in anhydrous THF (6 mL). The above-prepared acid chloride solution was added to the sodium anilide solution above, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h. The mixture was quenched with saturated aqueous NH4Cl (20 mL) and extracted twice with EtOAc (25 mL). The residue was purified on a 12-g SEPRA Si 50 SPE column (Flow rate=15 mL/min; Eluent=EtOAc-hexanes, 1:99 for 10 min, then 1:99 to 1:4 over 40 min) to yield 3-tert-butyl-isoxazole-5-carboxylic acid [2-methoxy-3-nitro-6-(2-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyridin-4-yl]-amide as a white solid. 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 10.62 (s, 1H), 8.39 (s, 1H), 7.82 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 1H), 7.63-7.69 (m, 1H), 7.58-7.63 (m, 1H), 7.56 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 6.98 (s, 1H), 4.09 (s, 3H), 1.38 (s, 9H). Mass Spectrum (LCMS, APCI pos.): Calculated for C21H19N4O5F3: 465.1 (M+H); Measured: 465.1.
