Preparation for the production of 1,2,4-triazolymethyl-oxiranes

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of 1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyloxiranes of the formula I in which A and B are identical or different and, independently of one another, are C1-C4-alkyl, phenyl-C1-C2-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, dioxanyl or phenyl, where the phenyl radical can carry one to three substituents chosen from the group: halogen, nitro, C1-C4-alkyl, Cl-C4-alkyloxy, phenoxy, amino, C1-C2-haloalkyl or phenylsulfonyl, which comprises reacting a) an oxirane of the formula II in which A and B have the meanings given above and L is a nucleophilically substitutable leaving group, with 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole of the formula III to give 4-amino-1,2,4-triazolium salts of the formula IV and b) deaminating the 4-amino-1,2,4-triazolium salts IV with alkali metal nitrites and acid or organic nitrites to give 1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyloxiranes of the formula I, and to 4-aminotriazolium salts of the formula IV as intermediates.