Process for the obtaining of 1-adamantane (tricycle[3.3.1.1 (3,7)]decane) derivatives, or of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, based on a carboxylation reaction, via metallation, of a precursor compound with an adequate leaving group. It also comprises the preparation of the precursor compound by means of a selective coupling of the corresponding boron, magnesium or zinc derivative with the corresponding disubstitute aromatic derivative. It is especially useful for the obtaining of Adapalene at industrial scale with good yield and high purity.