(3-Hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)phenylmethanone

Preparation from 3-(benzoyloxy)-4-methoxybenzophenone (SM) (m.p. 95°5–96°5) by saponificationwith sodium hydroxide in refluxing ethanol (good yield) or with potassium hydroxide in refluxing methanol (98%). SM was obtained by Friedel–Crafts acylation of guaiacol benzoate with benzoyl chloride in the presence of zinc chloride or in the presence of stannic chloride in nitromethane for 1 h at 20° (82%).