To obtain a phenoxyamine compound useful as an intermediate for agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, etc., on an industrial scale at a low cost by reacting a specific phenol compound with a specific (diphenylphosphinyl) hydroxylamine.

The objective compound of formula III is produced by reacting a phenol compound of formula I (X is nitro, cyano or the like; (n) is 0-5) with O-(diphenylphosphinyl)hydroxylamine of formula II in an inert solvent in the presence of an alkali. The base is potassium hydroxide, etc., and the solvent isbenzene, etc. The reaction is carried out at a temperature between -20°C and the boiling point of the solvent. As an alternative, the compound of formula III can be produced by reacting a phenol compound of formula I with a base, separating the produced phenolate and reacting with the compound of formula II. The compound of formula II can be produced e.g. by the reaction of diphenylphosphinic acid with hydroxylamine.