Cs2CO3 (72 mg, 0.22 mmol) and compound 9.9 (53 mg, 0.21 mmol) were added successively to a solution of (S)-ethyl 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)propanoate (9.6) (55 mg, 0.2 mmol) in dry DMF (3 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight, diluted with EtOAc (60 mL), washed with water and brine, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated under vacuum. The residue was flash chromatographed on silica gel (0-5% MeOH in DCM) to afford (S)-ethyl 3-(4-[3-(4-chloro-2-methylphenyl)benzyloxy]phenyl)-3-(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)propanoate (9.10) as a colorless oil (97 mg). LC-MS ESI (pos.) m/e: 489 (M+H).
