Preparation by Fries rearrangement of 3,4-dimethylphenyl propionate with aluminium chloride without solvent between 120° and 150° (quantitative yield), at 165° for 1 h (93%), at 100° for 2 h (90%), at 110° (85%) and in the presence of sodium chloride ; in nitromethane at 20° for 7 days (89%).