Abstract: Preparation of high yields of mixtures rich in polychlorinated pyridines by maintaining a chlorine to alpha-picoline weight ratio of greater than about 5:1 when feeding chlorine and alpha-picoline to reactor means at a temperature in the range of from about 100.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C., the reactants being contained in a well mixed diluent producing less than one mole of hydrogen chlorine per mole of diluent by reacting with the chlorine in the indicated temperature range.

Abstract: Preparation of high yields of mixtures rich in 3-chloro-2-trichloromethyl pyridine by maintaining a chlorine to alpha-picoline weight ratio of at least about 8:1 when feeding alpha-picoline hydrochloride and excess chlorine to reactor means at a temperature in the range of about 135.degree. C. to about 170.degree. C. and in the absence of a catalyst, the reactants being contained in a well mixed diluent producing essentially no hydrogen chloride by reaction with chlorine in the indicated temperature range.

Abstract: Production of polychloropyridine reaction product rich in 2,3,5-trichloropyridine by non-catalytic liquid phase chlorination of 3,5-dichloro-2-trichloromethyl pyridine at a temperature in the range from about 170.degree. to about 220.degree. C.2,3,5-Trichloropyridine is useful and an intermediate for the preparation of agricultural chemicals, especially herbicides.

Abstract: Preparation of mixtures rich in 3,4,5,6-tetrachloro-2-trichloromethyl pyridine by chlorinating 3,4,5-trichloro-2-trichloromethyl pyridine, 3,5-dichloro-2-trichloromethyl pyridine or 5-chloro-2-trichloromethyl pyridine, or mixtures thereof, in the presence of ferric chloride catalyst in the temperature range of from about 170.degree. C. to about 220.degree. C.

Abstract: Preparation of high yields of mixtures rich in polychlorinated pyridines by maintaining a chlorine to pyridine weight ratio of greater than about 4:1 when reacting chlorine and pyridine or pyridine hydrochloride non-catalytically in the liquid phase at temperatures in excess of about 150.degree. C., the reactants being contained in a well mixed diluent producing 1 mole or less of hydrogen chlorine per mole of diluent by reaction with the chlorine in the indicated temperature range. Reaction in a primary reactor is followed by selective further chlorination to obtain desired final products useful as intermediates in the formation of herbicides and the like.

Abstract: Preparation of high yields of mixtures rich in polychlorinated pyridines by maintaining a chlorine to 3,5-lutidine weight ratio of greater than about 7:1 when reacting chlorine and 3,5-lutidine or 3,5-lutidine hydrochloride non-catalytically in the liquid phase at temperatures in excess of about 150.degree. C., the reactants being contained in a well mixed diluent producing 2 moles or less of hydrogen chlorine per mole of diluent by reaction with the chlorine in the indicated temperature range. Reaction in a primary reactor is followed by selective further chlorination to obtain desired final products useful as intermediates in the formation of herbicides and the like.

Abstract: A non-catalytic liquid phase chlorination of lower chlorinated beta-picolines comprising 3-trichloromethyl pyridine, 2-chloro-5-dichloromethyl pyridine, or mixtures thereof, to improve the yield of 2-chloro-5-trichloromethyl pyridine, an intermediate useful in the preparation of medicines and agricultural chemicals, especially herbicides.

Abstract: Preparation of high yields of mixtures rich in 6-chloro-2-trichloromethyl pyridine by maintaining a chlorine to alpha-picoline weight ratio of greater than about 8:1 when feeding alpha-picoline hydrochloride and excess chlorine to reactor means at a temperature in the range of about 170.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. in the absence of a catalyst, the reactants being contained in a well mixed diluent producing essentially no hydrogen chloride by reaction with chlorine in the indicated temperature range.

Abstract: Preparation of high yields of mixtures rich in polychlorinated pyridines by maintaining a chlorine to beta-picoline weight ratio of greater than about 5:1 when reacting chlorine and beta-picoline or beta-picolie hydrochloride non-catalytically in the liquid phase at temperatures of at least about 190.degree. C., the reactants being contained in a well mixed diluent producing less than one mole of hydrogen chlorine per mole of diluent by reaction with the chlorine in the indicated temperature range. Chlorination of the beta-picoline or beta-picoline hydrochloride in a primary reactor is followed by selective further chlorination thereof in finishing reactor means at a temperature of at least about 190.degree. C. to obtain high yields of desired final products useful as intermediates in the formation of herbicides and the like.