To a solution of 3-bromo-5-(4-methoxy-benzyloxy)-benzonitrile (1.1 g) in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (10 mL) were added 3,4-methylenedioxyphenylboronic acid (860 mg), 2 M aq. sodium carbonate solution (3.5 mL) and Pd(PPh3)4 (40 mg) and the resulting mixture was stirred at 90° C. for 4 h. Then the reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate, filtered through Celite and washed with water and brine. The organic extract was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered through a silica pad, concentrated and triturated with diethyl ether to yield 1.0 g of the title compound (89% yield). HRMS calcd for C22H17O4N M+ 359.1158, observed 359.1158.
