Patent ID: 7411031

Claim:
A process for preparing a compound having Formula (I) HO—C(═Y)R 1 —X—R 2 —X—R 1 —C(═Y)—OH (I) wherein each R 1 is an organic group; each Y is independently O or S; each X is independently an ester linkage, an amide linkage, a thioester linkage or a thioamide linkage; and R 2 is a linking group; comprising reacting a compound of Formula (II) R 3 —R 1 —C(═O)OH (II) with a compound of Formula (III) X 2 —C(═Y)—R 2 —C(═Y)—X 2 (III) wherein R 3 is an hydroxy, amine, or thiol group or an organic radical comprising an hydroxy, amine, or thiol group; and each X 2 is a halogen; in the presence of at least 2 equivalents to about 50 equivalents of an organic base; optionally in a suitable solvent.