PURPOSE: To obtain a novel azoxycyanobenzene derivative exhibiting good activity against phytopathogenic fungi, useful for topical extermination thereof and employable as a fungicide.

CONSTITUTION: There is provided an azoxycyanobenzene derivative of formula I [wherein R is a (substituted) alkyl, an alkenyl, an alkynyl, a cycloalkyl, a cycloalkenyl, an aryl or a heterocyclyl; R1 is a halogen, nitro, cyano, a (substituted) alkyl, an alkoxy, an aryl or an aryloxy; and R2 is H, a halogen, nitro, cyano, a (substituted) alkyl or a (substituted) alkoxy], e.g. 3-methoxy-4- propanamide-1-azoxycyanobenzene. The compound of formula I is obtained by treating a compound of formula II with a mixture containing hydrogen peroxide and methanoic acid and/or peroxymethanoic acid or by reacting a compound of formula III with cyanamide or a metal salt thereof and an oxidizing agent.