A solution of α-isopropyl-4-difluoromethoxyphenylacetyl chloride (4.82 g) in methylene chloride (10 ml) is added to a methyl chloride solution (10 ml) of α-cyano-m-phenoxybenzyl alcohol (4.05 g) and pyridine (1.5 ml). The mixture is stirred over the weekend and filtered. The filtrate and the washings are evaporated and the residual oil (6.29 g) is purified on a silica column using 1:1 methylenechloride-hexane as eluent. The solvent was evaporated and the residue treated with sodium borohydride and the resulting product purified on a silica gel column to give 2.01 g of product.
