Process for the preparation of dihalobutyraldehydes

摘要

Dihalobutyraldehydes of formula I <IMAGE> (I) wherein X and Y are each independently of the other Cl or Br, are obtainable at high rates of conversion and with excellent selectivities by catalytic dehalogenation with hydrogen by carrying out the reaction with appropriate alpha , alpha -dihalobutyraldehydes in an organic aprotic solvent. The dihalobutyraldehydes are intermediates for the synthesis of herbicidal acyl cyclohexanediones.