Method for producing dichloromethylpyridines

Abstract

A method for producing a dichloromethylpyridine of the formula (II): ##STR1## wherein each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 which are independent of one another, is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkoxy group or a phenoxy group which may be substituted, provided that R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are not simultaneously hydrogen atoms, which comprises reacting a trichloromethylpyridine of the formula (I): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are as defined above, with a reducing agent, wherein: (1) a dialkyl phosphite or a trialkyl phosphite is used as the reducing agent, and the reaction is conducted in the presence of a basic substance and an alcohol solvent, or (2) a trialkyl phosphine or triphenyl phosphine is used as the reducing agent, and the reaction is conducted in the presence of an alcohol solvent.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.