PURPOSE: To easily obtain the subject compound in high yield and purity without causing environmental pollution by reducing a 2,6-dihalogeno-4-nitrophenol with a primary alcohol, etc., in the presence of a base using naphthoquinone, etc., as a catalyst.

CONSTITUTION: The objective compound useful as an intermediate for the production of agricultural chemicals, etc., can be produced by reducing a 2,6- dihalogeno-4-nitrophenol with a primary and/or secondary alcohol (cyclic alcohol) such as isopropyl alcohol, n-butanol and cyclohexanol at 50-130°C (preferably 70-100°C) in the presence of a base such as sodium hydroxide and a catalyst comprising a naphthoquinone compound or a naphthalenediol (e.g. 2,3-dichloro-4- naphthoquinone or 1,4-dihydroxy-naphthalene) and optionally a cocatalyst consisting of a benzene compound having ≥2 OH groups (e.g. hydroquinone) to shorten the reaction time.