Societe Nationale Des Poudres Et Explosifs

Michel M Le Moult

Jean-Pierre G Senet

Patricia P Gauthier

Claude Rochelle

The invention relates to a process for the preparation of chlorides of chlorinated carboxylic acids of formula ##STR1## in which R.sup.2 denotes the radical (CH.sub.2).sub.n, n being an integer from 2 to 4, or the radical --CH.sub.2 --C(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.2 -- and R.sup.1 denotes a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which consists in reacting the lactones of formula ##STR2## in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 have the above meanings, with phosgene at a temperature of 90.degree. to 180.degree. C., while employing as catalysts trisubstituted phosphine oxides or sulphides. The process according to the invention makes it possible to obtain chlorides of chlorinated carboxylic acids of high purity which exhibit an excellent stability to light and to heat and which are very useful as synthesis intermediates.

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Toulouse, France

Michel M Le Moult