Abstract: A process for preparing an alcohol of the formula: ##STR1## by reacting a carbonyl compound of the formula: ##STR2## or an oxirane of the formula: ##STR3## magnesium and a propargyl halide of the formula: ##STR4## followed by hydrolysis, characterized in that the carbonyl compound (II) or the oxirane compound (III) and the propargyl halide (IV) are reacted simultaneously with magnesium in an inert solvent in the presence of zinc or a halide thereof.

Abstract: A method for producing m-hydroxy-acetophenone which comprises allowing m-(2-hydroxy-2-propyl)cumene hydroperoxide to react at 30.degree. to 100.degree. C. in the presence of an aqueous solution containing 0.001 to 1 mole of iron salt per mole of said compound, 0.01 to 4 moles of copper salt per mole of said iron salt, and mineral acid to give m-(2-hydroxy-2-propyl)acetophenone, then allowing the resulting compound to react at 30.degree. to 95.degree. C. in the presence of 1 to 20 moles of 5 to 90% by weight aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution per mole of said compound and acid catalyst to form m-(2-hydroperoxy-2-propyl)acetophenone, and further subjecting the product formed to acid decomposition. m-Hydroxyacetophenone is an important intermediate in the fields of pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, dyestuffs and the like.