The condensation of 4-chloro-4?hydroxydiphenylmethane (I) with ethyl 2-bromo-2-methylbutyrate (II) by means of K2CO3 in refluxing xylene gives ethyl 2-[4-(4-chlorobenzyl)phenoxy]-2-methylbutyrate (III), which by hydrolysis with KOH in refluxing ethanol is converted into the corresponding free acid (IV). The reaction of (IV) with refluxing SOCl2 affords 2-[4-(4-chlorobenzyl)phenoxy]-2-methylbutyryl chloride (V), which is finally esterified with 3-hydroxymethylpyridine (VI) by means of pyridine in refluxing benzene.