Patent ID: 7355048

Claim:
A process for preparing 1-(6-methylpyridin-3-yl)-2-[4-(methylsulfonyl) phenyl]ethanone of the formula: comprising reacting N,N-dialkylamino-(6-methyl-3-pyridyl)acetonitrile of the formula: wherein R 1 and R 2 are identical or different and are C 1-4 -alkyl, in the presence of a base with a 4-(methylsulfonyl)benzyl halogenide to give 1-(6-methylpyridin-3-yl)-2-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]ethanone, wherein the base is an alkali alcoholate and is used in the presence of an organic solvent at a temperature of 15 to 25Â° C.