The invention enables reduction of catalyst in producing tetrafluorobenzonitrile by decyanation of one cyano group of tetrafluorodicyanobenzene by using a synthetic zeolite, particularly Zeolite 3A, 4A or 5A, in the reaction. Therefore, the invention provides an industrially useful process capable of producing tetrafluorobenzonitrile, a useful agrochemical and drug intermediate, by hydrogenolysis of tetrafluorodicyanobenzene to decyanate one cyano group with the use of catalyst in small amounts.
CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION
This application is an application filed under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.111(a) claiming benefit pursuant to 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) of the filing date of Provisional Application 60/399,136 filed on Jul. 30, 2002, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. .sctn.111(b).
