The reaction of 2-(2-fluorobiphenyl-4-yl)propionic acid (I) with thionyl chloride followed by treatment with tris (trimethylsilyloxy)ethylene gives 3-(2-fluorobiphenyl-4-yl)-1-hydroxy-2-butanone (II), which upon treatment with carbon tetrachloride and triphenylphosphine affords 1-chloro-3-(2-fluorobiphenyl-4-yl)-2-butanone (III). Finally, compound (III) is heated with N-methylthiourea in water.