Of the two methods of obtaining 7-methyl ethers of 5∶6∶7-hydroxy isoflavones partial methylation employing sodium bicarbonate is more convenient. Thus 7-methoxy-5∶6-dihydroxy and 7-methoxy-5∶6∶4′-trihydroxy isoflavones have been prepared. These could be partially acetylated, methylated in the 5-position and finally deacetylated to yield 5∶7-dimethoxy-6-hydroxy isoflavone and muningin respectively.