Preparation of halomethylbenzoly cyanides and novel halomethylbenzoyl cyanides

Abstract

A process for preparing halomethylbenzoyl cyanides I Ph-CO-CN I (Ph=phenyl radical substituted by chloromethyl or bromomethyl which, if desired, can additionally carry 1-4 further radicals) by reacting halomethylbenzoyl chlorides II Ph-CO-Cl II with an alkali metal cyanide or transition metal cyanide, if appropriate in an organic diluent, and novel halomethylbenzoyl cyanides I' ##STR1## (X=halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxy, CF.sub.3, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 -alkyl-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 -alkyl)hydroxyimino or C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 -alkyl-(C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 -alkenyl)hydroxyimino; m=0 to 4 and Y=chloromethyl or bromomethyl) are described. The halomethylbenzoyl cyanides I are important intermediates for the synthesis of plant protection agents.

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