A solution of 2-methoxy-N-(4-(2-methoxy-4-nitrophenoxy)pyridin-2-yl)acetamide (232 mg, 696 μmol) in a mixture of MeOH (30 mL) and AcOH (2.0 mL) was subjected to hydrogenation by passage through a Thales H-cube (1.0 mL min−1, 50° C., 55 mm 10% Pt/C Cat-Cart, full hydrogen mode) and was then evaporated in vacuo to afford the title compound, Intermediate H4 as an impure oily liquid; Rt 1.08 min (Method 2); m/z 304 (M+H)+ (ES+). This material, containing residual acetic acid was used directly, without further purification, in the next step (below).
