Prepn from catechol: Reimer, Tiemann, Ber. 9, 1268 (1876); Tiemann, Koppe, ibid. 14, 2015 (1881); from vanillin: Tiemann, Haarmann, ibid. 7, 620 (1874); from veratric aldehyde: Dreyfus, DE 193958; Frdl. 9, 161 (1908-10); from piperonal: Hoering, Baum, Ber. 41, 1914 (1908); Barger, J. Chem. Soc. 93, 563 (1908); Buck, Zimmerman, Org. Synth. coll. vol. II, 549 (1943).