The reaction of ethyl 2-oxocyclopentanecarboxylate (I) with ethyl 2-(4-chloromethylphenyl)propionate (II) by means of KOH in hot DMF gives ethyl 2-[4-(1-ethoxycarbonyl-2-oxocyclopentan-1-ylmethyl)phenyl]propionate (III), which is then hydrolyzed and decarboxylated by treatment with 47% HBr in refluxing dioxane.