PURPOSE: To obtain the subject compd. as an intermediate for preparation of medicines, dyes, etc., by reacting an amino benzoic ester as a starting material with a chlorinating agent under specific conditions, hydrolyzing an obtd. product, and decarboxylating it.

CONSTITUTION: The specified compd. is obtd. by reacting the aminobenzoic ester of the formula [where R1 is linear or branched 1-8 C alkyl, benzyl, phenyl; R2, R3 are each H, 1-8 C alkyl, benzyl, or R2 and R3 form -(CH2)4-, -C2H4-O-C2 H4-, -C2H2-NH-C2H4, etc.] with 2-2.5 mol, preferably 2-2.05 mol, of a chlorinating or brominating agent, (preferably Cl or Br), at 40-160°C, preferably 70-110°C, in an inert solvent, such as chlorobenzene, etc., hydrolyzing the dihalogenated aminobenzoic ester by a known method, and decarboxylating it.