Sodium thiocyanate (6.998 g, 0.08632 mol) was added to a solution of 2-chloro-6-methyl-4-pyridinecarbonyl chloride (14.912 g, 0.078472 mol) in acetone (2 l). The resulting mixture was stirred for 1 hour at room temperature (formation of a brown precipitate). Subsequently, 3-methoxy-5-trifluoromethyl benzenamine (15 g, 0.078472 mol) was added dropwise and the reaction mixture was stirred for 2 hours at room temperature (brown precipitate). The mixture was dissolved in CH2Cl2 (1.5 l) and was then washed with 2×250 ml water and brine. The separated organic layer was evaporated and the residue was triturated overnight with DIPE/heptane. The product was filtered off and dried in vacuo. Yield: 21.32 g of intermediate D5 (67%).
