MeI (0.377 mL) was added to a solution of 3-[4-(benzyloxy)phenyl]-7-methyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-one (2.0 g) and NaH (0.362 g) in DMF (20 mL) at 20° C. The mixture was stirred at 20° C. under a dry atmosphere for 1 h. The mixture was diluted with sat. NaHCO3 at 20° C. and extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, washed with water and brine, dried over MgSO4 and concentrated in vacuo to give 3-[4-(benzyloxy)phenyl]-1,7-dimethyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-one (2.0 g). This product was subjected to the next reaction without further purification.
