Production of orthonitrobenzonitrile

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain orthonitrobenzonitrile important as an intermediate for the production of an herbicide without producing a heavy metal compound as a byproduct. SOLUTION: This orthonitrobenzonitrile of formula III is obtained by reacting orthofluoronitrobenzene of formula I (R 1 , R 2 are each independently H, an electron abstracting group e.g. nitro, trifluoromethyl, etc.) with an alkali metal cyanide compound or a compound capable of donating a cyanide of formula II (R 3 is H, an alkyl, etc.; R 4 is an alkyl, etc.) in the presence of a catalyst capable of transferring between phases in an aqueous medium. COPYRIGHT: (C)1997,JPO