To a suspension of sodium hydride (55% dispersion in mineral oil, 852 mg, 20 mmol) in THF (27 mL) was added a solution of [3-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-5-methyl-isoxazol-4-yl]-methanol (3.68 g, 18 mmol) in THF (54 mL) at 0° C. and the reaction mixture warmed to room temperature over 30 min. Then a solution of methyl 6-chloronicotinate (3.35 g, 20 mmol) in THF (1.5 mL) was added dropwise at 0° C. and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture was then poured into aqueous sodium chloride (saturated) and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic layers were then washed with water and brine and then dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. Purification by chromatography (SiO2, heptane:ethyl acetate=7:3) afforded the title compound (4.1 g, 68%) which was obtained as a white solid. MS: m/e=343.1 [M+H]+.
