The reaction of 4-tert-butylbenzyl chloride (I) with Mg in ether gives the corresponding Grignard reagent (II), which is condensed with epichlorohydrin (III) yielding 4-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-1,2-epoxybutane (IV). The condensation of (IV) with methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (V) by means of KOH in refluxing methanol affords 4-[4-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-2-hydroxybutoxy]benzoic acid methyl ester (VI), which is finally saponified with KOH in refluxing ethanol/water.