PURPOSE: To obtain the subject compound useful as a starting substance for the synthesis of neurotropic agent, β-hydroxytyrosines, by reacting a phenetylamine derivative with a catalyst and hydrolyzing the resultant cyclic carbamate with an alkali.

CONSTITUTION: The objective compound of formula III can be produced by reacting a phenetylamine derivative of formula I (R1 is lower alkyl, lower alkoxycarbonyl, acyloxymethyl or H; R2 is H or lower alkyl; R3 is lower alkyl; X is H, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or halogen; n is 1 or 3) with copper sulfate, iron (III) chloride, iron (III) sulfate, or copper acetate and potassium persulfate or lead tetraacetate in a solvent (e.g., acetonitrile) in an inert gas atmosphere at room temperature W80°C and hydrolyzing the resultant cyclic carbamate of formula III with an alkali (e.g., barium hydroxide) in a solvent (e.g., ethanol) at 50W90°C.