Preparation by Fries rearrangement of p-cresyl phenylacetate with aluminium chloride (68%),
without solvent at 120–140° for 20 min (82%) , at 130–135° for 30 min (80%) or at 130–140° for 3 h (14%);
in nitrobenzene at r.t. for 48 h (80%) or at 60° for 4 h (64%) ;
in 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene at reflux for 30 min (78%);
in chlorobenzene at reflux for 4 h (23%) or for 30 min (86%).