abstract |
A method for preparing 2,3-dichloropyridine is disclosed in which 3-amino-2-chloropyridine is contacted with an alkali metal nitrite in the presence of aqueous hydrochloric acid to form a diazonium salt; and the diazonium salt is subsequently decomposed in the presence of copper catalyst wherein at least about 50% of the copper is the copper(II) oxidation state. |