Disclosed is a process for preparing substituted anisidines of formula I starting from substituted cyclic hydroxy-ketones II via aromatization through a substituted oxime intermediate IV in which R is C1-C6 alkyl or halogen, and Alk is C1-C6 alkyl. The substituted anisidines of formula I have been found to be useful as intermediates in the preparation of agents for the treatment of hepatitis C viral (HCV) infections.