2-Benzyloxyalkyl halophenones of the formula (3): ##STR1## wherein X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 are each independently H, Cl or F, provided that at least one of X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 is Cl or F; one of R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 is H and the other is optionally substituted benzyloxy; and R.sub.5 is an unsubstituted alkyl, preferably a C.sub.1-6 alkyl group. The compounds are useful as intermediates for preparing 2-hydroxyalkyl halophenones.
This is a Divisional of National Application Ser. No. 09/673,509 filed Nov. 29, 2000. International Application No. PCT/GB99/01082 filed Apr. 8, 1999 which designated the U.S.
