Reaction Steps
To a stirred solution of {[1-bromo-6-(3-pentyl-1H-indol-2-yl)-2-naphthyl]oxy}acetic acid methyl ester (0.410 g, 0.853 mmol) in THF (20 mL) at 0° C. was added KOt-Bu (0.105 g, 0.938 mmol) followed by MeI (0.064 mL, 1.02 mmol). The reaction was warmed to rt and let stir for 1 h. It appeared by TLC and MS that all the starting material was gone; however, two polar acids (one N—Me and one N—H) had been generated due to hydrolysis in these basic conditions. After concentration, the residue was taken up in DMF (20 mL). Added NaH (0.075 g, 60% by wt., 1.88 mmol) followed by excess MeI to convert all intermediate to one acid (N—Me). After 1 h, the reaction mixture was concentrated and then diluted with EtOAc (200 mL) and 1 N HCl (20 mL). The organic layer was washed with H2O (20 mL) and brine (20 mL) and then dried (Na2SO4). After concentration, the residue was purified by preparatory plate chromatography (10% MeOH:CHCl3) to afford the product (0.232 g, 57%) as a yellowish-orange foamy solid, mp>73° C. (decomp.); 1H NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 0.73 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.11-1.20 (m, 4H), 1.50-1.58 (m, 2H), 2.66 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 2H), 3.58 (s, 3H), 4.93 (s, 2H), 7.07 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.19 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 1H), 7.42-7.48 (m, 2H), 7.58 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.68 (dd, J=1.7, 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.99 (s, 1H), 8.04 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H), 8.21 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 11.95-14.75 (bs, 1H); IR (neat) 3050, 2955, 2925, 2850, 1725, 1670, 1600, 1480, 1470, 1430, 1370, 1325, 1275, 1220, 1190, 1145, 1095, 1015, 980, 925, 895, 830, 800, 765, 735, 700, and 665 cm−1; mass spectrum [(+) ESI], m/z 480/482 (M+H)+;
