Process for preparing o-nitrobenzonitriles

摘要

The invention relates to a process for the preparation of compounds of formula (I): wherein: R<1> represents C1-4 haloalkyl, fluorine, chlorine or bromine; and R<2> represents hydrogen or C1-4 alkoxy; which process comprises the reaction of the corresponding orthonitrofluorobenzene of formula (II): wherein R<1> and R<2> are as hereinbefore defined, with an alkali metal cyanide, in a non aqueous solvent optionally in the presence of a catalyst.