To produce the subject compound useful as a production intermediate for compounds useful as agrochemicals, medicines and dyes in effective and improved method by hydrogenating the corresponding oxime in the presence of Raney nickel and a specific diluent.

A corresponding oxime of formula I [R1 is a (substituted)alkyl] (preferably 1,1,1-trifluoropropane oxime or ethyl 1,1,1-trifluoropropane acetylacetate oxime) is hydrogenated in the presence of Raney nickel and a diluent selected from an alkanol (e.g. methanol), a cyclic ether (e.g. tetrahydrofuran) and an aromatic hydrocarbon (e.g. benzene, toluene or xylene) to provide the objective compound of formula II. As preferable method for producing the compound of formula II, 1 pt.wt. oxime of formula I is diluted with 5-15 pts.wt. of the above diluent and hydrogenation of the oxime is carried out at 50-150°C under 25-100 bar pressure and the resultant reaction mixture is filtered and acidified with a mineral acid and treated with a base to provide the objective product.