2-Hydroxycinnamic acid (I) is converted to its methyl ester (II) by treatment with diazomethane. After reduction of the ester (II) with DIBAL, the resultant cinnamyl alcohol (III) is oxidized to aldehyde (IV) using manganese dioxide. Finally, the phenol (IV) is alkylated with the benzyl halide (V) to yield the corresponding benzyl ether.