Patent ID: 8552185

Claim:
A process for preparing a compound of formula (I): which comprises either (a) reacting a compound of formula (II): with 2-cyanophenol, or a salt thereof, in the presence of between 0.1 and 40 mol % of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, or (b) reacting a compound of the formula (III): with a compound of the formula (IV): or a salt thereof, in the presence of between 0.1 and 40 mol % of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane; wherein W is the methyl(E)-2-(3-methoxy)acrylate group C(CO 2 CH 3 )═CHOCH 3 or the methyl 2-(3,3-dimethoxy)propanoate group C(CO 2 CH 3 )CH(OCH 3 ) 2 , and wherein 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane is not mixed with the compound of formula (II) or the compound of formula (III) unless 2-cyanophenol or the compound of formula (IV) is present; or (ii) 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane is present as an acid salt or (iii) conditions are such that 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane and the compound of formula (II) or the compound of formula (III) are not able to react with each other; with the proviso that when between 0.1 and 2 mol % 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane is used, the 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane is not added last.