4-(Hydroxymethyl)-1-(triphenylmethyl)imidazole, as described in Example 1, Step A, (1.97 g, 5.72 mmol) and 4-(dimethylamino) pyridine (280 mg, 2.29 mmol) were stirred in CH2Cl2 (15 mL) and tert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride (905 mg, 6.01 mmol) was added. After 1 min, triethylamine (0.88 mL, 6.31 mmol) was added dropwise over 3 min. The reaction mixture was stirred for 45 min, then CH2Cl2 (150 mL) was added and the solution was washed with 0.1 N HCl (50 mL). The organic layer was dried (Na2SO4), and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography, eluting with hexane—30% EtOAc, to yield the titled product as a white solid.
