Methyl Methanesulfonate → 1-Methyl-3-[3-[4-(5-trifluoromethyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)-2,6-dimethylphenoxy]-propyl]-pyridinium methanesulfonate

To a solution of 3-[3-[4-(5-trifluoromethyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)-2,6-dimethylphenoxy]-propyl]-pyridine (1 g, 2.6 mmol, 1.1 eq) in 10 ml of methylene chloride was added methyl methanesulfonate (0.32 g, 2.9 mmol) and the mixture was gently refluxed overnight. After adding 0.5 eq of methyl methanesulfonate, the mixture was allowed to reflux an additional 24 h. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo and a solid residue was washed with ether to afford 1.11 g (85.3%) of 1-methyl-3-[3-[4-(5-trifluoromethyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)-2,6-dimethylphenoxy]-propyl]-pyridinium methanesulfonate, as a white powder.