(5-({[4-(Methoxy)phenyl]methyl}oxy)-4-{[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]oxy}-2-pyridinyl)methyl acetate (for a synthesis, see WO2004058144 Example 60(d)) (10 g, 23 mmol) was dissolved in acetonitrile (400 ml) and triethylamine (65 ml) and copper (I) iodide (0.44 g, 2.3 mmol) were added. The mixture was degassed and placed under a blanket of argon. Trimethylsilylacetylene (10 ml, 69 mmol) and bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) dichloride (0.645 g, 0.9 mmol) were added and the mixture heated to 45° C. for 18 h. The mixture was then allowed to cool and filtered. The filtrate was evaporated to dryness and the residue partitioned between ethyl acetate and water. The organic layer was separated and dried (sodium sulphate). Chromatography on silica gel, eluting with a gradient of 20-75% ethyl acetate in 40-60° C. petroleum ether, gave an oil (8.4 g, 96%).
