Procedure for preparing N-chloroacetyl-N-phenyl-alanine esters, with the general formula: ***(see formula) in which R is alkyl with 3 or more carbon atoms, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, optionally substituted alkoxyalkyl, alkoxyalkoxyalkyl, alkylthioalkyl, alkylsulfynylalkyl, alkylsolnylalkyl, acyloxyalkyl, dialkylaminoalkyl or arylalkyl; X is alkyl or halogen; and Y is rent.