Naproxen was synthesized from 2-methoxynaphthalene, using (2R, 3R)- dimethyl tartrate as chiral auxiliary, DBDMH and Br~2 as brominating agent, KH~2PO~4 as rearrangement agent, 10% Pd-C/HCO~2NH~4 as catalytic transfer hydrogenolytic agent via propionylization, asymmetric bromination, hydrolysis, rearrangement and catalytic tranfer hydrogenolysis. Totalyield was 44% (based on 2- methoxynaphthalene) with the e.e. value of product being 94%.

Key words: APROXEN, DIMETHYL TARTRATE, BROMINATION REACTION, REARRANGEMENT REACTION, ANALGESICS ANTI-INFLAMMATORY