Process for preparation of 2-chloro-3-fluoro-4-alkoxy-anilines and 2-fluoro-3-chlorophenol

A process for preparing a compound of the general formula (V):

• in which R1 is C1-C7-alkyl or C7-C12-arylalkyl,
• characterized in that, in step (A), 1-chloro-2,3-difluorobenzene of formula (I)
• is reacted with a nitrating agent to form the compound of the formula (II)
• and,
• that in step (B), the compound of the formula (II) is reacted with an alcohol of the general formula (II)
• in which R1 is as defined above,
• in presence of a base and optionally a solvent
• to form the compound of the general formula (IV)
• in which R1 is as defined above;
• and
• that in step (C), the compound of the general formula (IV) is reacted with a reducing agent A and a solvent to form the compound of the general formula (V).