To two batches of methyl 2-methyl-4-(1-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)benzoate (0.452 g, 1.198 mmol) in a 250 mL round-bottomed flask equipped with a stir bar was added MeOH (12 ml), THF (12 ml) and 2N sodium hydroxide (5.99 ml, 11.98 mmol). The reaction was stirred overnight. The reaction mixture was diluted with water and acidified with 1N HCl. The solid was extracted with EtOAc (3×). The organic layer was dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated providing the title compound as a yellow solid (0.412 g, 1.134 mmol, 95%): 1H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 12.94 (s, 1H), 9.43 (s, 1H), 8.14-8.03 (m, 2H), 8.03-7.89 (m, 3H), 7.61 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 2.60 (s, 3H); 19F NMR (376 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ −56.95; ESIMS m/z 364 ([M+H]+).
