Step A: Preparation of (3-fluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)methanol: 3-fluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzaldehyde (2.0 g, 10 mmol) and anhydrous methanol (20 mL) were added to a round-bottomed flask fitted with stirring bar. The flask was cooled in an ice bath, followed by the addition of sodium borohydride (0.47 g, 12 mmol) in batches. The ice bath was removed and the reaction mixture was allowed to warm naturally to room temperature. Saturated ammonium chloride solution (2 mL) was added and the mixture was subsequently concentrated under vacuum. The residue was diluted with additional saturated ammonium chloride solution (30 mL) and extracted with ethyl acetate (3 x 30 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. Yield: 1.8 g (80%). The resulting product was used in the next reaction without further purification.
