Benzyl Chloride → 3-(Benzyloxy)-4-methoxybenzyl alcohol

A solution of 3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-benzyl alcohol (61.67 g, 400 mmole) in 1-propanol (600 ml) was treated at 60° C. with 97% t-BuOK (55.52 g, 480 mmole), at 90° C. with benzyl chloride (66.57 ml, 560 mmole) and the resulting mixture heated under reflux for 2 hours. Then at 90° C. a second batch of t-BuOK (9.25 g, 80 mmole) was added. After a further hour at reflux a third batch of t-BuOK (9.25 g, 80 mmol) and a second batch of benzyl chloride (9.51 ml, 80 mmole) was added at 90° C. After a further 2.5 hours at reflux the mixture was cooled to room temperature and the solid filtered off. The solvents were removed in vacuo, the residue treated with water (300 ml) and one-third of the solvent removed in vacuo. Water (100 ml) was added to the residue, which was then distilled off in vacuo and the procedure repeated. The resulting suspension was filtered, the solid was collected, dried and triturated with petroleum ether (2×600 ml) to give 3-benzyloxy-4-methoxy-benzyl alcohol, (86.21 g, 88.2%) mp 62-65° C.