Synthesis of 3-chloroanthranilates from α,γ,γ-trichloro-β-iminoesters

3-Chloroanthranilates have been prepared by a short pathway involving dehydrohalogenation of α,γ,γ-trichloro-β-iminoesters, which were obtained by trihalogenation of the corresponding enaminoesters. This route opens the way to a number of previously unknown functionalised anthranilates, which are potential starting materials for a variety of heterocyclic and biologically interesting compounds.