Patent ID: 7138548

Claim:
A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I): wherein Ar represents an optionally substituted aromatic carbocycle or heterocycle, and R 1 and R 2 independently represent hydrogen, C 1-10 alkyl, C(O)C 1-10 alkyl or optionally substituted aryl provided that R 1 and R 2 are not both hydrogen which process comprises reacting together a compound of formula (II): Ar—X (II) wherein Ar is as defined in relation to formula (I) and X represents a leaving group with a compound of formula (III) wherein R 1 and R 2 are as defined in relation to formula (I) under aqueous conditions in the presence of a Pd (II) salt, a ligand and a Group I or Group II metal hydroxide base at a pH greater than 7.