PURPOSE: To obtain the titled compound useful as a perfume raw material, etc., in high yield at low catalyst cost without causing problem to reactor material, by reacting anilines with ethylene glycol in the presence of a specific catalyst in liquid phase in reaction of the anilines with the ethylene glycol.

CONSTITUTION: Anilines are reacted with ethylene glycol using an active carbon- supported copper oxide as a catalyst, preferably at an amount of 0.01W5mol., especially 0.05W2mol. based on 1mol. aniline at 200W500°C, preferably 250W400°C to provide the aimed compound. The above-mentioned catalyst is preferably prepared e.g. by immersing an active carbon which is a carrier into an aqueous solution of copper sulfate, etc., subjecting the resultant product to filtration and separation and baking the resultant product at about 250°C under nitrogen stream. As the copper oxide supported on the active carbon, copper (II) oxide and/or copper (III) oxide can be used. The content of the copper oxide supported on the active carbon is preferably about 8W10%.