The reaction of gamma-butyrolactone (I) with Br2 and PBr3 at 100 C followed by a treatment with SOCl2 gives 2,4-dibromobutanoyl chloride (II), which is condensed with O-methylhydroxylamine by means of NaOH in CHCl3 yielding N-methoxy-3-bromopyrrolidin-2-one (III). The reaction of (III) with triphenylphosphine (IV) in hot THF affords the triphenylphosphonium salt (V), which is finally condensed with 3,5-di(tert-butyl)-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (VI) by means of triethylamine in hot ethanol.