Process for producing 2-(halomethyl)phenylacetic acid esters

摘要

PCT No. PCT/JP96/01677 Sec. 371 Date Mar. 18, 1998 Sec. 102(e) Date Mar. 18, 1998 PCT Filed Jun. 19, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO97/00850 PCT Pub. Date Jan. 9, 19972-(Halomethyl)phenylacetic acid esters (3) which are useful as intermediates for producing agricultural fungicides are produced efficiently and conveniently by reacting a 3-isochromanone derivative (1) with a hydrogen halide and an alcohol or reacting (1) with a halomethyl alkyl ether and then reacting the product with an alcohol in the presence of a base. The starting compound, 3-isochromanone (1), is produced in good yield by reacting an alpha , alpha '-o-xylene dihalide (4) with carbon monoxide and water in an organic solvent in the presence of a palladium catalyst and an inorganic base and then treating the product with an acid. <IMAGE> <IMAGE> +TR <IMAGE>