Process for the preparation of N-alkylhalogenoanilines

A process for the preparation of N-alkylhalogenoanilines of the general formula (I) ##STR7## in which X is a chlorine or bromine atom and n is the number 1 or 2, R.sup.1 is a linear or branched alkyl (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) radical, R.sup.2 a linear or branched alkyl (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6) radical or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together with the carbon atom to which they are bound can form a five- or six-membered cycloalkane ring, which comprises reacting a halogenonitrobenzene of the general formula (II) ##STR8## in which X and n have the abovementioned meanings with 1 to 1.5 times the stoichiometric amount of a carbonyl compound of the general formula (III) ##STR9## in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 have the abovementioned meanings or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together with the carbon atom of the carbonyl group can form a five- or six-membered cycloalkane ring, in an organic solvent which is inert towards the reactants under the reaction conditions at temperatures of 30.degree. to 50.degree. C., at a hydrogen superatmospheric pressure of about 0 to about 50 bar, in the presence of a sulfited platinum catalyst on activated carbon.