To produce a substituted quinoline compound useful as a synthetic intermediate for herbicides.

This compound of formula I (X is a linear or a branched chain 1-6C alkyl, phenyl, o-phenyl, an O-(1-4)C linear or branched chain alkyl, etc.; B is H, a halogen or a quaternary ammonium halide) or formula II (B is a quaternary ammonium halide). The compound of formula I is obtained by reacting, e.g. a compound of formula III with a face radical halogenating reagent in which the halogen is bromine or chlorine, providing a compound of formula IV and then reacting the resultant compound of formula IV with a tertiary amine without having any reactive β-hydrogen. The compound of formula I is subsequently reacted with a base in methanol at about 120-180°C in a closed reactor to afford a compound of formula V useful as an intermediate for herbicides.