BENZYL ALCOHOLS AND THEIR LOWER ALKANECARBOXYLIC ACID ESTERS

摘要

Benzene derivatives of the general formula <IMAGE> I where Hal is halogen, R1 is a hydrocarbon radical of 1 to 18 carbon atoms, R2 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms and X is hydrogen or halogen, are prepared by a process in which a toluene derivative of the general formula <IMAGE> II is electrochemically oxidized in the presence of an acid of the formula R2-COOH (III). Novel benzene derivatives of the general formula <IMAGE> IV where R3 is hydrogen or an R2-CO- radical but R1 cannot be methyl if X is hydrogen, and of the general formula <IMAGE> VI where R4 is a branched or cyclic alkyl radical of 3 to 12 carbon atoms, but R4 cannot be isopropyl if X is hydrogen. The compounds of formulas IV and VI are intermediates for crop protecting agents, e.g. pyrethroids.