Process for preparing 3-trifluoromethyl benzyl chloride

摘要

A method is provided for forming (3-trifluoromethylphenyl)acetonitrile through the intermediate alpha , alpha , alpha -trifluoro- alpha '-chloro-m-xylene. This intermediate is formed by selective chlorination of alpha , alpha , alpha '-trichloro-m-xylene under conditions which maximize yield and minimize the formation of undesired, non-recyclable chlorinated by-products.