The 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol (I) was nitrated with nitric acid, followed by reduction with hydrogen using a platinum catalyst to afford 4-amino-2,6-di-tert-butylphenol (II). The reaction of (II) with 4-chlorobutyryl chloride (III) gave the intermediate 4-chlorobutyramide (IV), which on treatment with sodium hydride underwent cyclization to afford 1-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)pyrrolidin-2-one, BF-388.