5-Bromo-3′,4′,5′,6′-tetrahydro-2′H-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-1′-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (0.6 g, 1.76 mmol), 2-methylpyridine-4-boronic acid (264 mg, 1.9 mmol), bis(triphenylphosphine)-palladium(II)chloride (0.06 g, 0.09 mmol), 1 M Na2CO3 (4 ml) and acetonitrile (4 ml) were mixed in a 5 ml microwave vial. Another (2 ml) and acetonitrile (2 ml) were added. The reaction mixture was heated for 1500 sec. at 85° C. Water layer was removed. The acetonitrile phase was added DCM (20 mL). The organic phase was filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The crude mixture was purified on a silicagel column with EtOAc/heptane (4:1) and then EtOAc/heptane (9:1). The product was collected as a clear oil (540 mg, 87%).
