Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the preparation of substituted chloroacylanilides of the general formula: ##SPC1##Wherein R.sub.1 represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a phenyl group; R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom or halogen atom; R.sub.3 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and X.sub.1 and X.sub. 2 , which may be the same or different, represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a methyl group or an ethyl group. The process comprises acylating a substituted aniline of the general formula: ##SPC2##Wherein R.sub.1, X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 are as above defined, in the presence of phosphoryl chloride under substantially anhydrous conditions with a chlorocarboxylic acid of the general formula: ##EQU1## wherein R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are as above defined.