Difluoroalkylaromatics

1 . Compounds of the formula (I)

in which

Het is amino or hydroxyl and one of the R 1 radicals is fluorine and the other R 1 radical is C 1 -C 4 -alkyl.

2 . 2,3-Difluoro-4-methylbenzyl alcohol, 2,4-difluoro-3-methylbenzyl alcohol, 2,3-difluoro4-methylbenzylamine and 2,4-difluoro-3-methylbenzylamine.

3 . Process for preparing compounds of the formula (I) according to claim 1 , comprising:

in a step A), converting compounds of the formula (II)

in the presence of bromine and a catalyst to compounds of the formula (III)

and, in the case that Het is amino,

in a step B1, reacting the compound of formula (III) with cyanide initially to give compounds of the formula (IV)

and subsequently,

in a step B2, converting the compound of formula (IV) by reduction to the corresponding compounds of the formula (I), or,

in the case that Het is hydroxyl,

in a step B3, converting the compounds of the formula (III) to an organomagnesium compound, reacting this organomagnesium compound with carbon dioxide and subsequently treating with acid to give compounds of the formula (V)

and,

in a step B4, converting the compound of formula (V) using a halogenating agent to compounds of the formula (VI)

in which Hal is chlorine or bromine

and, in a step B5, converting the compounds of the formula (VI) by reduction to the corresponding compounds of the formula (I).

4 . Process according to claim 3 , characterized in that, alternatively to the steps B3 to B5,

in a step B6, converting the compounds of the formula (III) to an organomagnesium compound, reacting this organomagnesium compound with an N,N-substituted formamide and subsequently treating with acid to give compounds of the formula (VII)

and then,

in a step B7, converting the compounds of the formula (VII) by reduction to the corresponding compounds of the formula (I).

5 . Compounds of the formula (III) according to claim 3 with the exception of 3-bromo-2,6-difluorotoluene.

6 . Compounds of the formula (IV) according to claim 3 .

7 . Compounds of the formula (V) according to claim 3 with the exception of 2,4-difluoro-3-methylbenzoic acid and 3,4-difluoro-2-methylbenzoic acid.

8 . Compounds of the formula (VI) according to claim 3 with the exception of 2,4-difluoro-3-methylbenzoyl chloride.

9 . A process for preparing active ingredients in pharmaceuticals and crop protection agents or intermediates thereof comprising providing compounds according to claim 1 as active ingredients.

10 . A process for preparing active ingredients in pharmaceuticals and crop protection agents or intermediates thereof comprising providing compounds according to claim 2 as active ingredients.

11 . A process for preparing active ingredients in pharmaceuticals and crop protection agents or intermediates thereof comprising providing compounds according to claim 5 as active ingredients.

12 . A process for preparing active ingredients in pharmaceuticals and crop protection agents or intermediates thereof comprising providing compounds according to claim 8 as active ingredients.

13 . A process for preparing active ingredients in pharmaceuticals and crop protection agents or intermediates thereof comprising providing compounds which have been prepared according to claim 3 as active ingredients.