Process for manufacturing 2-chloro-1,3-diketo compounds

A novel process for producing 2-chloro-1,3-diketo compounds of the formula wherein Q is an amino, substituted amino or hydrocarbyloxy group, e.g., -OCH3, wherein the 1,3-diketo precursor in solution in a low boiling alcohol is neulized in a special chlorinator with chlorine or a mixture of nitrogen and chlorine, and wherein the chlorination of the nebulized precursor solution takes place extremely rapidly at relatively high temperatures in a chlorination zone, the product being recovered by condensation on the cooled chlorinator walls and stripping of the alcohol solvent. A representative product is 2-chloro-N,N-dimethylacetoacetamide (2CDMAA), a useful intermediate for the production of insecticides, drugs, dyes and other complex compounds.