8-Methoxyquinoline-5-carboxylic acid (III) was prepared by Skraup synthesis from 3-amino-4-methoxybenzoic acid (I) and glycerol (II) in sulfuric acid at 180 C. Subsequent treatment of (III) with oxalyl chloride using a catalytic amount of DMF gave the corresponding acid chloride (IV), which was finally coupled with 4-amino-3,5-dichloropyridine (V) in the presence of NaH in DMF to provide the target amide.