Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a compound of formula (I), in which X is CH or N, Y is NO2 or CN, Z is CHR3, O, NR3 or S, R1 and R2 are either each, independently of the other, hydrogen or unsubstituted or R4-substituted alkyl or together a two- or three-membered alkylene bridge or a two- or three-membered alkylene bridge in which one member is replaced by a hetero member selected from the group, consisting of NR5, O and S, R3 is H or unsubstituted or R4-substituted alkyl, R4 is an unsubstituted or substituted aryl or heteroaryl group, and R5 is H or alkyl, which comprises a) reacting a compound of formula (II) with a chlorinating agent or b1) initially reacting a compound of formula (IV) with a compound of formula (V) and b2) further reacting the compound of formula (II) obtainable thereby, with or without intermediate isolation, with a chlorinating agent, to intermediates used in this process, to the use of these intermediates and to a process for the preparation of these intermediates.