4-(5-(6-(4-methylpyridin-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)thiazol-2-yl)benzonitrile (Example 51, 40 mg, 0.11 mmol) was suspended in EtOH (8 ml). Aqueous ammonia (28-30%, 4 ml) was added followed by H2O2 (35%, 1 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at 40° C. for 2.5 days. Aqueous ammonia (2 ml) and H2O2 (0.250 ml) were added and the reaction mixture was stirred a further 24 hours at 40° C. The reaction was partitioned between H2O (30 ml) and EtOAc (70 ml). After separation, the aqueous phase was extracted again with EtOAc (70 ml). After evaporation, and purification of the crude product by dry flash chromatography over SiO2 eluting with EtOAc/MeOH (5%-10%)/NEt3 (0.5%), 4-(5-(6-(4-methylpyridin-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)thiazol-2-yl)benzamide was obtained as a yellow solid (46 mg, 74%). 1H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 9.72 (br s, 1H), 8.59 (br s, 1H), 8.20-7.98 (m, 6H), 7.95 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.78-7.70 (m, 1H), 7.66 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.57-7.45 (m, 3H), 2.25 (s, 3H). (APCI+) m/z 388 (M+H)+.
