Process for producing .alpha.-hydroxyiminophenylacetonitriles

A process for producing an .alpha.-hydroxyiminophenylacetonitrile of the formula [II]:

• ##STR13## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are the same or different and are independently hydrogen, halogen, nitro, trifluoromethyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkoxy and Z is --O--, --OCH.sub.2 --, --S-- or --SCH.sub.2 --, comprising the steps of:
• reacting a crude nitrile containing a phenylacetonitrile of the formula [I]:
• ##STR14## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and Z are as defined above, with an alkyl nitrite in the presence of a base and an organic solvent;
• extracting the reaction mixture with water to obtain an aqueous layer containing a base and an organic solvent layer;
• separating the aqueous layer from the organic solvent layer;
• and
• neutralizing the separated aqueous layer with an acid, wherein the crude nitrile containing the phenylacetonitrile of the formula [I] is produced by reacting a benzyl halide derivative of the formula [IV]:
• ##STR15## wherein X is halogen, with a cyano compound.