The reaction of 4-neopentylbenzoic acid (I) with SOCl2 in refluxing dichloromethane gives the corresponding acid chloride (II) , which is condensed with heptylamine (III) in dichloromethane to yield 4-neopentyl-N-heptylbenzamide (IV). The reduction of (IV) with di(2-methoxyethoxy)sodium aluminum hydride in refluxing toluene affords 4-neopentyl-N-heptylbenzylamine (V), which is finally condensed with 2,4-difluorophenyl isocyanate (VI) in hexane. Compound (II) can also be obtained from neopentylbenzene (VII) and oxalyl chloride in the presence of aluminum chloride.