The present invention concerns a process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I) in the form of any one of its stereoisomers or mixtures thereof, wherein R represents a C2-C10 group of formula CORa wherein Ra is an alkyl or alkenyl group optionally comprising one or two ether functional groups or is a phenyl or benzyl group optionally substituted by one to three alkyl, alkoxyl, carboxyl, acyl, amino or nitro groups or halogen atoms.