Catalysts A was prepared according to a modified literature procedure. To a 20 mL microwave (MW) vial equipped with a stirrer bar, compound I4 (250 mg, 0.42 mmol) was added, followed by Pd(PPh 3 ) 4 (42 mg, 0.04 mmol), arylboronic acid (1.68 mmol, 4.0 equiv.), aq. Na 2 CO 3 (4 M, 1 mL), toluene (2.5 mL) and ethanol (1.0 mL). The mixture was sparged with N 2 for 10 min, sealed, and heated to 160 o C for 7 min using microwave radiation. After completion, the mixture was quenched with water and the product was extracted with DCM (50 mL x 3). The solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue was purified on silica gel using petroleum ether as eluent to give A as a slightly yellow solid. Prepared according to the general procedure from (2,4-difluorophenyl) boronic acid (265 mg, 1.68 mmol). The reaction mixture was purified on silica gel using petroleum ether as eluent to give A as a yellow solid (103 mg, 35%).