Cyclopropanation of substituted phenylacetonitriles or phenyl acetates

A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I):

• wherein G is —CN or —COOR in which R is a C1-C4 straight or branched alkyl X and Y are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, R1O— and R1S— wherein R1 is C1-C4 straight or branched alkyl chain;
• said process comprising the step of reacting a compound of formula (II):
• wherein G, X and Y are as defined above with a compound of formula (III):
• wherein Z is CO or SO2 in the presence of a base,
• with the proviso that:
• i) when Z is CO the reaction is carried out at a temperature ranging from 120° C. to 180° C. and the molar ratio between the compound of formula (II) and the compound of formula (III) is from 1:10 to 1:30;
• ii) when Z is SO2, then G is —COOR2;
• to obtain a compound of formula (I).