2-bromo-β-methoxystyrenes. Thus, the reaction of α-substituted 2-lithio-β-methoxystyrenes, generated by the bromine-lithium exchange between α-substituted 2-bromo-β-methoxystyrenes and butyllithium, with epoxides gives the corresponding 2-(methoxyvinyl)phenethyl alcohols. These undergo cyclization with a loss of methanol on treatment with a catalytic amount of hydriodicacid to give the desired products.