The difficulty of the demethylation of synthetic primetin dimethyl ether into primetin has been solved by the use of anhydrous aluminium chloride in benzene medium. The possibility of the formation of primetin in the Primula through the intermediate stage of 5-hydroxy-flavone is suggested. This is supported by a new synthesis of primetin in which the nuclear oxidation of 5-hydroxy-flavone is effected by means of persulphate. 5-Hydroxy-flavone required for these experiments has been prepared by independent methods.