Nitrile (I) was converted to hydroxamic acid (II) upon treatment with hydroxylamine. Further hydrogenation in the presence of Raney-nickel provided amidine (III), which was finally condensed with ethyl chloroformate to yield the title compound.

Nitrile (I) was converted to hydroxamic acid (II) upon treatment with hydroxylamine. Further hydrogenation in the presence of Raney-nickel provided the target amidine.