PURPOSE: To obtain the subject new derivative useful as a synthetic intermediate for medicines and agrochemicals, especially an intermediate for an antiulcer agent and a gastrointestinal cell protecting agent.

CONSTITUTION: This anthranilic acid derivative is expressed by formula I (R is H or a lower alkyl), e.g. N-isobutylanthranilic acid. The compound expressed by formula I is obtained by reacting a compound expressed by formula II (X is a halogen) with a compound expressed by formula III (R is H or a lower alkyl). The compound expressed by formula I is useful as an important synthetic intermediate for especially 2-[2-(N-isobutyl-N-methylamino) benzylsulfinyl]benzimidazole, expressed by formula IV and 2-(2-isobutylamino) benzylsulfenylimidazole, expressed by formula V, both having antiulcer and gastrointestinal cell protecting actions.