The partial reduction of dimethyl hydroxyterephthalate (I) with NaBH4 in refluxing methanol gives methyl-3-hydroxy-4-(hydroxymethyl)benzoate (II), which by reaction with 2,2-dimethoxypropane (III) by means of p-toluenesulfonic acid in benzene is converted into the benzo-1,3-dioxane (IV). The reduction of (IV) with sodium dihydro-bis(2-methoxyethoxy)aluminate (V) affords the protected benzyl alcohol (VI), which is oxidized with CrO3 to the benzaldehyde (VII). The reaction of (VII) with NaCN and ammonia in methanol yields the aminonitrile (VIII), which is finally hydrolyzed with Ba(OH)2 and afterwards with H2SO4.