60% oily sodium hydride (0.13 g, 3.3 mmol) was added to a solution of methyl 2-[2-(2,5-dimethylphenoxymethyl)-phenyl]-2-hydroxyacetate (0.72 g, 2.4 mmol) and methyl iodide (0.68 g, 4.8 mmol) in N,N-dimethylformamide (6 ml) at 0° C. with stirring. After 30 minutes, ice and water were added in this order, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate, washed successively with water and saturated brine, and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The solvent was evaporated, and the residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (n-hexane/ethyl acetate=9/1) to give the desired compound methyl 2-[2-(2,5-dimethylphenoxymethyl)phenyl]-2-hydroxyacetate (0.69 g, 92%) as an oil.
