PURPOSE: To obtain a compound in an industrially simple and safe operation in high yield, useful as an intermediate for liquid crystal compounds by Friedel- Crafts reaction between a specific cyclohexanecarboxylic acid and benzene or its derivative.

CONSTITUTION: This compound of formula III is obtained by Friedel-Crafts reaction between (A) a 4-hydroxycyclohexanecarboxylic acid (ester) of formula I (X is H or a 1-3 alkyl) and (B) benzene or its derivative of formula II (Y is H, a 1-8C alkyl or halogen) in the presence of (C) a Lewis acid. It is preferable that the component A be prepared by hydrogenating only the aromatic ring of p-hydroxybenzoic acid or its ester of formula IV (e.g. using ruthenium- carrying carbon as hydrogenation catalyst, at 35-100°C under a pressure of 20-100cm2/kg), the amount of the component C (e.g. aluminum chloride) to be used be 1.2-2.2 pts.mol per pt.mol of the component A, and the temperature during the Friedel-Crafts reaction 35-80°C.