PURPOSE: To prepare the titled compound with a simple procedure, in high yield, by reducing 4-methoxyacetophenone in a solvent in the presence of a catalyst, reacting the product first with concentrated hydrochloric acid and then with a cyanogen compound, and finally hydrolyzing and demethylating the product.

CONSTITUTION: 4-Methoxyacetophenone of formulaIis reduced with NaBH4 in a mixed solvent of water and hardly water-soluble inert solvent in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst, or reduced with H2 in the above solvent in the presence of a Pd/C catalyst to obtain the alcohol compound of formula II, which is made to react with concentrated hydrochloric acid to obtain the chloride of formula III. The product is made to react with a cyanogen compound in a mixed solvent of an organic solvent and water in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst, and the resultant nitrile is hydrolyzed with an aqueous solution of alkali to obtain an acid. The objective compound of formula IV can be prepared by the demethylation of the acid with hydrobromic acid.

EFFECT: Since the yield of each intermediate is high, it is not neccessary to separated and purify the intermediate.

USE: Intermediate for antiphlogistic agent and other pharmaceuticals.