A novel process for the preparation of N-methyl-N-(2-[4-hydroxyphenyl]-5-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzene carboxamide, which is useful as an intermediate in the synthesis of (-)-galantamine, comprises the reaction of a 5-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzoic acid derivative with N-methyl-N-(2-[4-hydroxyphenyl]ethyl) amine.