ANILINE DERIVATIVE AND PRODUCTION THEREOF

NEW MATERIAL:An aniline derivative expressed by formula I (R1 and R2 are lower alkyl which is not simultaneously CH3). EXAMPLE:2-Methyl-3-fluoro-6-methyl aniline. USE:A novel raw material for producing a haloacetoanilid derivative expressed by formula III (R3 is H, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, halo lower alkyl, cyano lower alkyl, etc.; X is halogen) useful as a herbicide. PREPARATION:A N-acyl compound expressed by formula II (Acyl is lower alkylcarbonyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, benzenesulfonyl or paratoluenesulfonyl) is heated to the boiling point of a solvent used in water or an organic solvent such as ethylene glycol or mixed solvent of water and organic solvent in the presence of an acid such as sulfuric acid, etc., or a base such as NaOH, etc., in order to carry out hydrolysis to provide the compound expressed by formula I in good yield.