Process for synthesizing COX-2 inhibitors

A process for synthesizing a compound of the formula I:

• ##STR26## wherein:
• 0-2 R groups are present;
• each R, R' and R" independently represents C.sub.1-10 alkyl, C.sub.6-10 aryl, aralkyl, halo, --S(O).sub.m H, --S(O).sub.m C.sub.1-6 alkyl, --S(O).sub.m aryl, nitro, amino, C.sub.1-6 alkylamino, di-C.sub.1-6 alkylamino, --S(O).sub.m NH.sub.2, --S(O).sub.m NHC.sub.1-6 alkyl, --S(O).sub.m NHC(O)CF.sub.3 and cyano,
• the alkyl and aryl groups, and the alkyl and aryl portions of aralkyl, --S(O).sub.m C.sub.1-6 alkyl, --S(O).sub.m aryl, C.sub.1-6 alkylamino, di-C.sub.1-6 alkylamino and --S(O).sub.m NHC.sub.1-6 alkyl being optionally substituted with 1-3 groups selected from --S(O).sub.m C.sub.1-6 alkyl, --CN, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy, amino, C.sub.1-6 alkylamino, di-C.sub.1-6 alkylamino, --S(O).sub.m NH.sub.2, --S(O).sub.m NHC.sub.1-6 alkyl, --S(O).sub.m NHC(O)CF.sub.3 and aryloxy;
• Y is N;
• and m is 0, 1 or 2,
• comprising reacting a compound of formula II:
• ##STR27## wherein R.sup.2 through R.sup.5 each independently represent C.sub.1-6 alkyl, aryl or aralkyl, and X- represents a suitable counterion,
• with a compound of the formula III:
• ##STR28## wherein R, R' and Y are as previously defined, in the presence of a base to produce a compound of formula I.