The hydrogenation of 2-hydroxy-3-allyl-6-(2-hydroxypropoxy)acetophenone (I) with H2 over Pd/C in ethanol gives 2-hydroxy-3-propyl-6-(2-hydroxypropoxy)acetophenone (II), which is then cyclized with diethyl oxalate (III) by means of sodium ethoxide in refluxing ethanol. The sodium salt is prepared by treatment of the acid with NaHCO3 in water.