SYNTHESIS OF SUBSTITUTED 1-HALOMETHYL-2-PHENYL-1-PHENYL OXIRANE

The present invention provides an improved process for the preparation of 1-halomethyl-2-phenyl-1-phenyl oxirane, wherein the phenyl substituents may be mono-, di-or poly-halo substituted, wherein 3-halo-2-phenyl-1-phenyl propene is reacted with an anhydride and hydrogen peroxide in a solvent selected from among alkyl esters, followed by subsequent extraction and separation of the organic phase and isolation of the oxirane. The improvements of said process are in yield, isolation procedure and safety. The isolation and purification of the oxirane is carried out subsequent to the reaction and includes extraction and crystallization in single, multiple or repeated stages. ® KIPO & WIPO 2008