A process for the preparation of aromatic ethers by the bromination of a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, independently, is hydrogen, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, lower alkyl; m is an integer from 1-4, and A is --CHO, --COOR.sub.3 or lower alkyl, and subsequently treating the reaction product of the bromination step with an alkali metal alkoxide in the presence of cuprous halide or oxide, is described.