Abstract: 2-Methallyloxyphenol precursor to 2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-hydroxybenzofuran is prepared selectively and in good yield in the etherification of an alkali metal catecholate by methallyl chloride in an improved process using the same solvent medium for both the precursor and the hydroxybenzofuran, the process characterized by a solvent medium comprising an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, the medium also containing an amine selected from alkylamines and N-heterocyclic amines. The amine forms a quaternary salt with the methallyl chloride in situ to catalyze the etherification and the aromatic solvent permits rearrangement of the product and Claisen closure to a benzofuran intermediate without solvent exchange.