Disclosed is a process for the preparation of 4,4'-stilbenedicarboxylate esters by a 3-step process utilizing p-toluic acid, an alkyl p-formylbenzoate and a trialkyl phosphite. The steps comprise(1) preparing p-(chloromethyl)benzoic acid by chlorinating p-toluic acid with sulfuryl chloride in the presence of a free radical initiator and chlorobenzene or dichlorobenzene;(2) contacting the p-(chloromethyl)benzoic acid of step (1) with a trialkyl phosphite to obtain a phosphonate compound; and(3) contacting the phosphonate ester compound of step (2) with an alkyl p-formylbenzoate in the presence of an alkali metal alkoxide and an inert solvent to obtain the dialkyl 4,4'-stilbenedicarboxylate.