A solution of 2-(3-chloro-4-fluoro-phenoxy)-nicotinic acid (32.1 mg, 0.12 mmol, 1.0 equiv) in thionyl chloride (57 mg, 35 pt, 0.48 mmol, 4.0 equiv; [CAS RN 7719-09-7]) was stirred at rt for 1 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure, remaining thionyl chloride removed by azotropic distillation with toluene and the residue dissolved in anhydrous DMF (1 mL). To this solution was added N-ethyldiisopropylamine (77.6 mg, 102 μL, 0.60 mmol, 5.0 equiv; [CAS RN 7087-68-5]) and 6-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-quinoline (21.2 mg, 0.14 mmol, 1.2 equiv; [CAS RN 91-61-2]) and the reaction mixture heated by microwave irradiation to 140° C. for 15 min. Removal of the solvent mixture under reduced pressure and purification by preparative HPLC on reversed phase (Xterra® PrepMSC 18, 5 μm, 19×50 mm column equipped with a Gilson Liquid Handler 215 auto sampler, two Rainin Dynamax® SD-300 pumps, a Sedex ELSD 75 lightscatter and a Dionex UVD 340S UV detector) eluting with a gradient of acetonitrile/water provided 3.7 mg (8%) of the title compound. MS (ISP): 397.0 [M+H]+.
