Preparation of phenoxybenzyl esters

A process for the preparation of a phenoxybenzyl ester of the formula ##STR5## wherein Q is a hydrogen atom or a cyano group and R is a. a cyclopropyl group of the formula ##STR6## in which R.sub.a and R.sub.b each is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a halogen atom of atomic number from 9 to 35, inclusive, or R.sub.a is a hydrogen atom and R.sub.b is an alkenyl group containing from 2 to 6 carbon atoms optionally substituted by from 1 to b 3 chlorine or bromine atoms, R.sub.c R.sub.d each is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or R.sub.c is hydrogen and R.sub.d is R.sub.b, or R.sub.a and R.sub.b together or R.sub.c and R.sub.d together is an alkylene group containing from 2 to 6 carbon atoms;

• or
• b. a benzyl group of the formula ##STR7## in which Z is a halogen atom of atomic number 9 to 35, inclusive, or an alkoxy group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and Y is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, which process comprises neutralizing an acid of the formula R-COOH in which R is defined above with a water-soluble base, and then contacting the resulting product with a solution in a water-immiscible organic solvent of a benzyl halide of the formula ##STR8## in which X is a halogen atom;
• and Q is defined above in the presence of a macrocyclic polyether phase-transfer catalyst.