Step 2 Synthesis of 2-amino-5-(trifluoromethyl)benzoic acid: 2-nitro-5-(trifluoromethyl)benzoic acid (1.2 g, 4.78 mmol) was suspended in ethanol (10 mL) and 10% Pd/C catalyst (120 mg) was added. The hydrogenation reaction was carried out at room temperature and atmospheric pressure for 1 hour. Upon completion of the reaction, the catalyst was removed by filtration through a diatomaceous earth pad and the filtrate was concentrated to afford 2-amino-5-(trifluoromethyl)benzoic acid (900 mg, 85.2% yield) as a pale white solid. The resulting product could be used in subsequent reactions without further purification.
