Synthesis of Ethyl 2,6-Dichloro-5-fluoronicotinoyl Acetate

2,6-Dichloro-5-fluoronicotinic acid was treated with thionyl chloride in toluene to give 2,6-dichloro- 5-fluoronicotinoyl chloride, which was reacted with potassium ethyl malonate and magnesium chloride-triethylamine in ethyl acetate to give ethyl 2,6-dichloro-5-fluoronicotinoyl acetate with an overall yield of about 71%.