In a sealed tube to a mixture of methyl 6-bromo-5-fluoropyridine-2-carboxylate (374 mg, 1.60 mmol) and (2,6-difluoro-3-methoxyphenyl)boronic acid (150 mg, 0.798 mmol) in THF (6.0 mL) and water (0.6 mL) was added potassium fluoride (153 mg, 2.64 mmol). The reaction mixture was purged with N2 for 5 min., then tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium (0) (180 mg, 0.20 mmol) and tri-tert-butylphosphine (81 mg, 0.40 mmol) were added subsequently. The reaction mixture was then heated at 100° C. for 30 min. After filtration and concentration of the solution under reduced pressure, the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography using CombiFlash® (0 to 40% EtOAc in hexanes) to give the sub-title compound as a white powder (83.3 mg, 35%). LCMS calc. for C14H11F3NO3 (M+H)+: m/z=298.1. Found: 298.2.
