METHOD FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF MIXTURES OF 3-PHENOXYBENZYL BROMIDE AND 3-PHENOXYBENZAL BROMIDE

The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of mixtures of 3-phenoxybenzyl bromide and 3-pnenoxybenzal bromide using dibromodimethylhydantoin as brominating agent. According to the process, the reaction between the m-phenoxytoluene and the brominating agent is carried out in a non-polar solvent at temperatures above 65 degrees C. The molar ratio between the reactants is selected in the range of between 0.5:1 to 1.25:1 of the brominating agent towards the 3-phenoxytoluene. In a preferred embodiment, a radical initiator is incorporated being selected from the group consisting of ultraviolet rays and compounds containing azo-groups, peroxides or mixtures thereof. According to a most preferred embodiment the addition of the free radical and of the brominating agent is carried out gradually. The process is characterized by its very high yield, the products obtained being of a very high quality.