Aniline → Methyl 2-(3-fluorophenyl)-2-(phenylamino)acetate

Bromo-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-acetic acid methyl ester (I96) (300 mg, 1.21 mmol), DIPEA (0.32 mL, 1.82 mmol), and aniline (0.17 mL, 1.82 mmol) are dissolved in acetonitrile (4 mL) and heated under MW irradiation at 100° C. for 1 hour. Acetonitrile is evaporated and the residue is purified by flash chromatography (Petroleum ether/EtOAc=95/5) to obtain intermediate I145 as a colorless oil (229 mg, 73% yield).