A solution of 4-isopropylphenylmagnesium bromide prepared from 2.35 g (96.5 mmol) magnesium and 18.15 g (96.5 mmol) 1-bromo-4-isopropylbenzene in 80 ml THF is added slowly at −78° C. to a solution of 20 g (96.5 mmol) 5-allyloxy-2-nitro-benzaldehyde in 200 ml THF. After allowing the reaction mixture to warm up to r.t. saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution is added. Extraction with ethyl acetate followed by chromatographic purification on silica (hexane/ethyl acetate) yields (5-allyloxy-2-nitro-phenyl)-(4-isopropyl-phenyl)-methanol.
