PURPOSE: To obtain a ortho bromo phenol compound from a phenol compound in which the para position and at least one of the ortho positions to a hydroxy group are not substituted in a high yield by adding an amine compound to the reactional system and using an N-brominated imide compound as a brominating agent.

CONSTITUTION: A phenol compound in which the para position and at least one of the ortho positions to a hydroxyl group (e.g. 2-methylphenol) is mixed with a primary amine and/or a secondary amine compound and subsequently brominated with an N-brominated imide compound, preferably 1,3-dibromo-5,5- dimethylhydantoin, Nbromosuccinimide, N-bromophthalimide or N- bromoisocyanuric acid as a bromination agent under a mild condition comprising approximately -50 to 50°C to produce the ortho bromophenol compound. The amine compound is added in a molar ratio of 0.001-2.0 to the phenol compound as raw material.