Preparation and use of (3-alkoxy-phenyl) magnesium chlorides

A method comprising reacting a (3-alkoxyphenyl)magnesium chloride wherein the alkoxy group contains one to five carbon atoms with a .beta.-aminoaldehyde or .beta.-aminoketone corresponding to formula I ##STR3## wherein R.sup.1 represents H or C.sub.1-4 alkyl;

• R.sup.2 represents H or C.sub.1-4 alkyl, or
• R.sup.2 together with R.sup.1 represents --(CH).sub.4 --, or
• R.sup.2 together with R.sup.3 represents a C.sub.4-7 cycloalkyl, or
• R.sup.2 together with R.sup.4 represents a C.sub.5-8 cycloalkyl, or
• R.sup.2 together with R.sup.5 represents a five- to eight-membered heterocycle;
• R.sup.3 represents H or straight chain C.sub.1-4 alkyl;
• R.sup.4 represents H;
• R.sup.5 represents C.sub.1-3 alkyl, and
• R.sup.6 represents C.sub.1-3 alkyl;
• or with
• an aldehyde or ketone corresponding to formula II ##STR4## wherein R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 are the same or different and each represent H, C.sub.1-6 alkyl or C.sub.3-6 cycloalkyl.