A solution of acetic acid 2-{1-[2-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-ylethyl)piperazin-2-yl}-ethyl ester, 64, (54.9 g, 100 mmol), hydroxybenzotriazole (16.2 g, 120 mmol), and N-methylmorpholine (132 mL, 120 mmol) in DMF (150 mL) is cooled to 0° C. and 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (24.9 g, 130 mmol) is slowly added. The resulting mixture is stirred for 2 hours at 0° C. then allowed to warm and stir at room temperature another 2 hours. The reaction solution is diluted with water and the resulting solid is collected by filtration, re-dissolved in EtOAc and extracted with water, dried and concentrated in vacuo to afford a residue which purified over silica gel.
