PROCESS FOR PREPARATION OF HALOGEN-METHYL-BENZOYL-CIANIDES AND NOWEL HALOGEN-METHYL-BENZOYL-CIANIDES

A process for preparing halomethylbenzoyl cyanides I Ph-CO-CNI (Ph=phenyl radical substituted by chloromethyl or bromomethyl which, if desired, can additionally carry 1-4 further radicals) by reacting halomethylbenzoyl chlorides II Ph-CO-ClII with an alkali metal cyanide or transition metal cyanide, if appropriate in an organic diluent, and novel halomethylbenzoyl cyanides I' I' (X=halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, CF3, C1-C5-alkyl-(C1-C5-alkyl)hydroxyimino or C1-C5-alkyl-(C2-C5-alkenyl)hydroxyimino; m=0 to 4 and Y=chloromethyl or bromomethyl) are described. The halomethylbenzoyl cyanides I are important intermediates for the synthesis of plant protection agents.