Reagents and conditions: (a) THF, NBS (1.0 equiv), rt, 2 h, 99%; (b) 6-methoxypyridin-3-yl phenylboronic acid (1.5 equiv), Pd(PPh3)4 (0.1 equiv), Na2CO3 (2.0 equiv), DMF–H2O(4:1), μw, 120 °C, 15 min, 70%; (c) K2CO3 (2 equiv), benzyl bromide (2 equiv, iodomethane applied for 11a-1, 11b-1), DMF, 45 °C, 16 h, 60– 90%; (d) LiBH4, THF, rt, 16 h, 55–87%.