Studies in the preparation of aromatic ethers have proven to be quite attractive because of extensive use of these compounds in the dyestuff, perfume flavor, agriculture and pharmaceutical industries. The novelties of phase transfer catalysed alkylation of T-hydroxy acetophenone with 1-bromopentane were studied in detail in a biphasic system with tetrabutyl ammonium bromide (TBAB) as the catalyst. The effect of various parameters was studied systematically to understand the conversion patterns, product distribution and selectivity of desired product. A mathematical model has been proposed on the basis of the theory of mass transfer with chemical reaction in two phases. The results are novel and have industrial relevance. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.