Process for the preparation of nitrophenyl alkyl ethers

A process for the preparation of a nitrophenyl alkyl ether of the formula ##STR10## in which R.sup.1 is straight-chain or branched C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl,

• o,p indicates the ortho- or para-position of R.sup.1 O to the nitro group and
• R.sup.2 is hydrogen, straight-chain or branched C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 -cycloalkyl, C.sub.7 -C.sub.10 -aralkyl, C.sub.6 -C.sub.12 -aryl, straight-chain or branched C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -alkoxy, straight-chain or branched C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -alkylthio, C.sub.6 -C.sub.12 -aryloxy, C.sub.6 -C.sub.12 -arylthio, --SO.sub.2 --R.sup.3, --SO.sub.2 --OR.sup.3, --SO.sub.2 --NR.sup.3.sub.2, --SOR.sup.3, fluorine chlorine or bromine, in which
• R.sup.3 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl,
• consisting essentially of reacting a nitrophenol of the formula ##STR11## in which o,p indicates the ortho- or para-position of the hydroxyl group to the nitro group and
• R.sup.2 has the meaning given above,
• with 100-200 mol %, relative to the amount of the nitrophenol, of an alkyl halide of the formula
• R.sup.1 -X
• in which
• R.sup.1 has the meaning given above and
• is chlorine,
• in the presence of 80-130 equivalent %, relative to the amount of the alkyl halide, of a hydrogen halide-binding compound selected from the group consisting of the hydroxides, carbonates and hydrogen carbonates of the alkali and alkaline earth metals in such a manner that the nitrophenol is introduced into water which is used as the reaction medium, and wherein the quantity of said water used as a reaction medium is at least sufficient to dissolve all resulting inorganic salts, and wherein the alkyl halide and the hydrogen halide-binding compound are added simultaneously, the reaction is carried out in the temperature range from 20.degree. to 200.degree. C., a pressure range from 1 to 50 bar, and in the absence or presence of a bromide or iodide of an alkali or alkaline earth metal in an amount of 0 to 10 mol % relative to the nitrophenol to be reacted.