The condensation of ethyl 3,4-dihydro-4-oxo-phthalazine-1-acetate (I) with 4-bromo-2-fluoro benzyl bromide (II) by means of NaH in hot DMF gives ethyl 3-(4-bromo-2-fluorobenzyl)-3,4-dihydro-4-oxophthalazine-1-acetate (III), which is saponified with KOH in refluxing ethanol.