Step 1 Preparation of methyl 2-methoxyisonicotinate: methyl 2-chloropyridine-4-carboxylate (5.23 g, 30.0 mmol) and sodium methanol (2.47 g, 45.0 mmol) were dissolved in 15 mL of dioxane and heated and refluxed for 1.5 hours. After the reaction was completed, it was cooled to room temperature, diluted with an appropriate amount of water and extracted with dichloromethane (3 x 20 mL). The organic layers were combined, washed with saturated brine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to give 3.76 g (75% yield) of a yellow oily product, methyl 2-methoxyisonicotinate. Elemental analysis (C8H9NO3) Calculated values: C, 57.48; H, 5.43; N, 8.38. Measured values: C, 57.07; H, 5.54; N, 8.34.
