New synthetic method for ibuprofen, which is a potent antiinflammatory agent, was described. Ethyl ${alpha}-methylthio-p-isobutylphenylacetate$ was obtained from Friedel-Crafts reaction of isobutylbenzene with ethyl ${alpha}-chloro-{alpha}-(methylthio)acetate$ in the presence of $SnCl_4$. Ibuprofen was prepared in good yield by treatment of ethyl ${alpha}-methylthio-p-isobutylphenylacetate$ with NaH and MeI, followed by desulfurization with zinc dust-acetic acid and hydrolysis of the resultant ethyl 2-methylthio-2-(4-isobutylphenyl)propionate.