Process for the manufacture of anilinofumarate via chloromaleate or chlorofumarate or mixtures thereof

A method for the preparation of anilinofumarate of formula I ##STR7## wherein R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl which comprises reacting chloromaleate of formula II or chlorofumarate of formula III or mixtures thereof ##STR8## wherein R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl with about 1.0 to 1.5 molar equivalents of aniline in the presence of about 1.0 to 1.8 molar equivalents of aqueous base containing a phase transfer catalyst to form the anilinofumarate.