Acetophenone (I) is condensed with gamma-butyrolactone (II) in the presence of NaOMe to afford compound (III), which is finally treated with BF3稥t2O and amine (IV) in dichloromethane/ether. Alternatively, the target compound can be synthesized by regioselective bromination of (III) with PBr3 in dichloromethane to yield bromo derivative (V) followed by heating with primary amine (IV) in MeOH. (Under forceful conditions (V) can be converted into intermediate (VI), which by heating in MeOH in the presence of primary amine (IV) can also lead to the desired product).