A six-step synthesis of a 4-[8-(3-fluorophenyl)[1, 7] naphthyridin-6-yl]-trans- cyclohexanecarboxylic acid with an overall yield of 27% starting from 2-cyano-3- methylpyridine, cyclohexane-1, 4-dicarboxylic acid dimethyl ester, and 3- fluorophenylboronic acid is described. The trans stereochemistry in the cyclohexane moiety was achieved through a series of equilibration steps at different stages of the synthesis.
