Methanol (3.2 mL, 79 mmol) was slowly added to a solution of KOtBu (7.4 g, 66 mmol) and dimethylformamide (15 mL), followed by the addition of 1,3-dimethyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2(1H)-pyrimidinone (6 mL). The solution was heated at 80°C for 30 minutes. 1,3-Difluorobenzene (2.6 mL, 26 mmol) was added to the mixture. The solution was heated again at 80°C for 3.5 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature. The reaction mixture was washed with water and 10% brine (2 x). The reaction mixture was dried. The reaction mixture was concentrated. The obtained 3-Fluoroanisole was purified by rapid chromatography (1% EtOAc in hexane).
