Process for preparing benzophenone derivatives

A process for preparing benzophenone derivatives having the general formula

• wherein each of X and Y is a substituent selected from the group consisting of a halogen;
• a nitro group;
• an alkyl group;
• an amino group substituted with two substituents selected from the group consisting of a saturated C.sub.1-4 alkyl group, an allyl group, a propargyl group, a phenyl group, a tolyl group and a benzyl group;
• a morpholino group;
• a pyrimidino group;
• a pyrrolidino group;
• and a C.sub.1-2 alkoxy group, each of m and n is 0 or an integer from 1 to 2, or XM ##STR67## is a moiety selected from the group consisting of a juloidine moiety or a 1-butyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline moiety which comprises dissolving a 3-phenylphthalide derivative having the general formula ##STR68## wherein X, Y, m and n are the same as described hereinbefore, into an aqueous solution of alkali salt and oxidizing said dispersed 3-phenylphthalide derivative with at least one oxidizing agent, said alkali salt being in at least an equimolar amount with respect to said 3-phenylphthalide derivative.