A solution of 2-methoxy-4-(2-oxoethyl)benzonitrile (100 mg, 0.57 mmol), 1-[2-(4-Nitrophenyl)ethyl]piperazine (134 mg, 0.51 mmol) in 60 mL of dry methanol were added 2 drop of HOAc and then stirred at room temperature for 1 hr. Then NaBH(OAc)3 (362 mg, 1.71 mmol) was added an the then the mixture was stirred overnight. Concentrated and the residue was purified via prep-TLC to give 2-methoxy-4-(2-{4-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl]piperazin-1-yl}ethyl)benzonitrile. 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ ppm 8.14 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.35˜7.47 (m, 3H), 6.79˜6.85 (m, 2H), 3.12 (s, 3H), 2.48˜2.96 (m, 16H). MS m/z: 395 (M+1)+. (0.052 μM)
