Method for producing 2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-ethanols

A process for preparing a 2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-ethanol of the formula (I)

• wherein
• A1 and A2 independently of one another represent a direct bond, represent optionally halogen-substituted alkanediyl, represent optionally halogen-substituted alkenediyl, represented optionally halogen-substituted alkinediyl or represent alkanediyl in which a methylene group is replaced by oxygen,
• R1 and R2 independently of one another represent hydrogen, represent optionally substituted cycloalkyl or represent optionally substituted aryl and
• R3 and R4 independently of one another represent hydrogen or represent optionally substituted alkyl or
• R3 and R4 together with the carbon atom to which they are attached represent optionally substituted cycloalkyl, or
• R1, A1 and R3 together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached represent cycloalkyl,
• A2 represents a direct bond, represents optionally halogen-substituted alkanediyl, represents optionally halogen-substituted alkenediyl, represents optionally halogen-substituted alkinediyl or represents alkanediyl in which one methylene group has been replaced by oxygen,
• R2 represents hydrogen, represents optionally substituted cycloalkyl or represents optionally substituted aryl and
• R4 represents hydrogen or represents optionally substituted alkyl, or
• R3 and R4 represent hydrogen and the groups
• R1—A1— and R2—A2— together with the carbon atom to which they are attached represent a radical of the formula
• said process comprising the step of reacting a hydrazine derivative of the formula (II)
• wherein
• A1, A2, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined above
• with an N-dihalogenomethyl-formamidinium halide of the formula (III)
• wherein
• X represents chlorine or bromine,
• optionally in the presence of a diluent.