Process for the manufacture of a mixture of 3-phenoxybenzyl bromide and 3-phenoxybenzal bromide.

摘要

A process for the manufacture of a mixture of 3-phenoxyl-benzyl bromide and 3-phenoxybenzal bromide by the reaction of a molar excess of molecular bromine on 3-phenoxytoluene, wherein the molar excess of bromine is in the range 1.3 to 1.5 moles of molecular bromine per mol. of the toluene, and in that the reaction is carried out at a temperature in the range 195 DEG C to 235 DEG C in the presence of an inert gas and in the absence of: (a) actinic radiation; (b) an added catalyst or initiator; or (c) an added solvent. The mixture of bromides is a useful starting material in the manufacture of 3-phenoxybenzaldehyde which is a key intermediate in the manufacture of pyrethroid insecticides.