The present invention relates to methods for the preparation of 3,3-dialky 4-chromanones, and particularly to the preparation of 6-fluoro-3,3-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-chromen-4-one and 3,3-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-chromen-4-one. In some embodiments, the processes include reaction of a 4-chromanone compound with an alkyl halide in the presence of a metal alkoxide at low temperature.