Patent ID: 8765962

Claim:
A process for preparing 1-(6-methylpyridin-3-yl)-2-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]ethanone of formula (I) or a salt thereof: comprising: a) reacting 1-(6-methylpyridin-3-yl)ethanone of formula (II): with a 4-substituted-phenylmethyl sulfide or sulfoxide or sulfone of formula (III): wherein n is an integer between 0 and 2 inclusive and X is selected from the group consisting of F, Br, Cl, I, OTs, OTf, OMs, ONE and O(C═O)N(R) 2 where R is a linear or branched C 1 -C 4 alkyl substituent, or R is phenyl or benzyl; and b) if n is 0 or 1, comprising the further oxidation of the relative intermediate of formula (IV): or formula (IV-bis): to form the product of formula (I); wherein the reacting step a) is carried out in an aqueous medium.