Process for the preparation of certain diphenyl ethers

The method of preparing a compound of the formula ##STR20## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, --CN, acetyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxy or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkylthio;

• n is 1 when R.sub.1 has all the defined meanings, or 2 or 3 when R.sub.1 is halogen or alkyl;
• R.sub.2 is hydrogen;
• alkyl of 1 to 18 carbon atoms;
• alkenyl of 2 to 16 carbon atoms;
• alkynyl of 2 to 16 carbon atoms;
• monosubstituted alkyl of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, where the substituent is hydroxyl, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, halo-phenoxy, (alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms)phenoxy, (alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms) phenoxy, nitro-phenoxy, cyano-phenoxy, amino or (alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms)thio;
• benzyl;
• halo-benzyl;
• trifluoromethyl-benzyl;
• --NR.sub.3 R.sub.4 ;
• --CHR.sub.3 --COOR.sub.4 ;
• or --CHR.sub.3 --CONR.sub.4 R.sub.5 ;
• where
• R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are each hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms;
• and
• X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 are each hydrogen or halogen,
• which comprises reacting a compound of the formula ##STR21## wherein n, R.sub.1, X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 have the meanings previously defined, and the two ##STR22## groups may be identical to or different from each other, with an amine of the formula
• H.sub.2 N--R.sub.2
• wherein R.sub.2 has the meanings previously defined, at a temperature between about 20.degree. and 160.degree. C.