Step E. Synthesis of (3-bromo-6-methoxypyridin-2-yl)methanol. A mixture of 3-bromo-6-methoxypyridin-2-ylmethyl acetate (3.94 g, 15.2 mmol) with 1M aqueous potassium carbonate (26.2 mL, 26.2 mmol) in methanol (30 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. After completion of the reaction, the mixture was concentrated, diluted with water (15 mL) and extracted with dichloromethane (3 x 15 mL). The organic phases were combined, washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated to give 3-bromo-2-hydroxymethyl-6-methoxypyridine (2.97 g, 90% yield). Mass spectrum (ESI): calculated value C7H8BrNO2, 216.97; measured value m/z 218.2 [M + H]+. 1H NMR (CDCl3): δ 7.68 (d, J = 8.6 Hz, 1H), 6.60 (d, J = 8.6 Hz, 1H), 4.67 (dd, J = 4.7, 0.6 Hz, 2H), 4.01 (t, J = 4.7 Hz, 1H), 3.97 (s, 3H).
