Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel improved process and intermediates for the process of preparing the oxime intermediates of formula (II) wherein R1 is hydrogen, fluoro or chloro, and R2 is methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, fluoro, chloro or bromo. The novel process comprises diazotizing an aniline of formula (VI) reacting the resulting diazonium salt with isopropenylacetate of formula (X) and reacting the resulting ketone of formula (XI) with an organic nitrite in the presence of hydrogene chloride, and methylating the resulting ketooxime of formula (VIII) with a methylating agent and reacting the resulting O-methyl ketooxime of formula (IX) with hydroxylamine. The compounds of formula (II) are intermediates for highly active fungicides from the class of the atrobilurins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel improved process and intermediates for the process of preparing the oxime intermediates of formula (II) wherein R1 is hydrogen, fluoro or chloro, and R2 is methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, fluoro, chloro or bromo. The novel process comprises diazotizing an aniline of formula (VI) reacting the resulting diazonium salt with isopropenylacetate of formula (X) and reacting the resulting ketone of formula (XI) with an organic nitrite in the presence of hydrogene chloride, and methylating the resulting ketooxime of formula (VIII) with a methylating agent and reacting the resulting O-methyl ketooxime of formula (IX) with hydroxylamine. The compounds of formula (II) are intermediates for highly active fungicides from the class of the strobilurins.