Abstract: The present invention relates to a new improved, simplified process for the preparation of halo-4-phenoxyquinolines, whereby thionyl chloride is used as the chlorinating agent to prepare the corresponding chloroquinoline intermediate prior to the final coupling reaction, and a single, inert high boiling polyether solvent is used throughout the entire reaction procedure.

Abstract: Larger (C.sub.6 -C.sub.12) esters of substituted 2-pyridinyloxyalkanoic acids, such as 1-methylheptyl (4-amino-3,5-dichloro-6-fluoro-2-pyridinyloxy)acetate, are prepared in high yield and purity by first preparing the methyl or ethyl ester and then transesterifying with a C.sub.6 -C.sub.12 alcohol. The methyl or ethyl ester can be prepared by alkylation of an alkali metal salt of 4-amino-3,5-dichloro-6-fluoro-2-pyridinol with methyl or ethyl chloroacetate and the transesterification can be carried out in the presence of a tetraalkyl titanate catalyst.

Abstract: The potassium salts in aqueous mixtures of potassium fluoride and potassium salts of organic acids are separated and separately recovered by adding a dipolar, aprotic solvent until two liquid phases are present and then separating the phases. The aqueous phase contains the potassium fluoride and the solvent phase contains the potassium salt of an organic acid. Potassium fluoride and potassium 3,5-dichloro-6-fluoro-2-pyridinate, for example, are separately recovered from aqueous mixtures containing both by adding N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone.