PURPOSE: To obtain chloranil for intermediate for agricultural chemical, pigment, etc., by reacting readily available hydroquinone, benzoquinone or chlorinated derivative thereof with chlorine using a mixed solvent of water or hydrochloric acid and an organic solvent immiscible therewith.

CONSTITUTION: A compound expressed by formula I (n is O-4) or formula II (m is 0-3) is reacted with chlorine in a mixed solvent of water or hydrochloric acid and an organic solvent immiscible therewith to provide chloranil. Most inexpensive and industrially readily available hydroquinone is preferably used as a starting compound. According to the above-mentioned method, high-purity chloranil is obtained without contaminating chloranil with the intermediate by using the organic solvent. The above-mentioned method is completely closed pollution-free producing method, because the organic solvent used can be recycled to the reaction system.