The zeolite beta induced rearrangement of substituted allyl benzyl ethers to give 4-arylbutanals was investigated with respect to the substituents in the aromatic ring. In some cases the resulting aldehydes cyclized spontaneously to give dihydronaphthalene derivatives. The rearrangement and also the ring closure to dihydronaphthalenes failed or gave poor yields in cases where too weak electron-donating