A mixture of 11.3 g (49.6 mmol) of 3,5-dimethyl-4-(phenylmethoxy)phenol (Example G), 13.3 g (1.2×49.6 mmol) of 5-bromo-2,2-dimethylvaleric acid, methyl ester (U.S. Pat. No. 4,665,226) and 8.2 g (1.2×49.6 mmol) of anhydrous potassium carbonate in 300 mL of acetonitrile is stirred at reflux for 18 hours. The reaction flask and inorganic residue are washed with fresh acetonitrile and the solvent is removed. A diethyl ether solution of the residual product is washed with 50 mL of 2N potassium hydroxide solution, brine, dried and evaporated leaving 20.6 g of the product as a pale yellow oil. Distillation through a short path apparatus affords 15.4 g of the title compound; bp 190°-194° C./0.1 mm (230°-240° C).
