Process for producing 3-phenoxybenzyl 2-(4-alkoxyphenyl)-2-methylpropyl ethers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for producing 3-phenoxybenzyl 2-(4-alkoxyphenyl)-2-methylpropyl ethers having excellent insecticidal and acaricidal activities which are represented by formula (IV): ##STR1## wherein R is a lower alkyl group and X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 are each a hydrogen or fluorine atom, which comprises reacting a 3-halogeno-4-alkoxyneophyl halide represented by the formula (I): ##STR2## wherein Y.sub.1 and Y.sub.2 are each a hydrogen, chlorine or bromine atom, at least one of them being a chlorine or bromine atom, R has the same meaning as above and X is a halogen atom, with a 3-phenoxybenzyl alcohol represented by the formula (II): ##STR3## wherein X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 have the same meaning as above, in the presence of a base to obtain a 3-phenoxybenzyl 2-(4-alkoxy-3-halogenophenyl)-2-methylpropyl ether represented by the formula (III): ##STR4## wherein Y.sub.1, Y.sub.2, R, X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 have the same meaning as above, and then subjecting the product to a hydrodehalogenation reaction, and relates to a process for producing a 3-halogeno-4-alkoxyneophyl halide represented by formula (I), which comprises reacting a 2-halogeno-1-alkoxybenzene represented by formula (V): ##STR5## wherein Y.sub.1 and Y.sub.2 are each a hydrogen, chlorine or bromine atom, at least one of them being a chlorine or bromine atom, and R represents a lower alkyl group, with a methallyl halide in the presence of an acid catalyst at -20.degree. to 50.degree. C.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.