To a solution of N-(3-methylbutyl)-4-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1,3-thiazole-2-amine (1.20 g, 3.82 mmol) in N,N-dimethylformamide (20 mL) was added sodium hydride (60% in oil, 0.229 g, 5.73 mmol). The mixture was stirred for 30 min, and methyl 4-(bromomethyl)benzoate (1.05 g, 4.58 mmol) was added. The mixture was stirred at 60° C. for 1.5 hr, water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was washed with saturated brine and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (ethyl acetate:hexane=3:97-40:60) to give the title compound (1.34 g, yield 76%) as a yellow oil.
