Coupling of tert-butyl acrylate (II) with 4,4'-dibromobenzyl (I) using palladium diacetate and tri-o-tolyl phosphine produced diester (III). Subsequent condensation of (III) with 4-(diethylamino)benzaldehyde (IV) in the presence of ammonium acetate generated the required imidazole system (V). Finally, deprotection of the tert-butyl esters of (V) by treatment with trifluoroacetic acid afforded the title dicarboxylic acid.