A new high-yield, easily industrialized process for synthesizing compounds of formula (IV), in which X.sub.1 and X.sub.2, the same or different, are linear or branched C1-C8 alkyls, n and m are 0, 1 or 2, with the proviso that n and m are not simultaneously 0; or (OX.sub.1)n and (OX.sub.2)m taken together form an O-T-O group where T is chosen from --CH.sub.2--, --CH.sub.2CH.sub.2, --CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2--, --C(CH.sub.3).sub.2--. The process comprises treating a chloromethyl derivative (I) with an alkaline acetate to form the intermediate acetylderivative (II); the intermediate (II) is to hydrolysed to form the alcohol (III); the alcohol (III) is then oxidised in the presence of air and catalysts to obtain the desired derivative (IV). The process runs its course within a short period of time, with high yields and high selectivity; in addition, the process does not require purification and separation of the intermediates and can therefore be favourably conducted in a single batch. ##STR00001##