2-Chloro-''m''-cresol is a chlorinated cresol. The compound is difficult to synthesise as chlorination of

m-cresol ''meta''-Cresol, also 3-methylphenol, is an organic compound with the formula CH3C6H4(OH). It is a colourless, viscous liquid that is used as an intermediate in the production of other chemicals. It is a derivative of phenol and is an isomer of ...

yields the para-product (4-chloro-3-methylphenol). Historically synthesis has been achieved via a para-selective nitration, followed by conversion to a

diazonium compound Diazonium compounds or diazonium salts are a group of organic compounds sharing a common functional group where R can be any organic group, such as an alkyl or an aryl, and X is an inorganic or organic anion, such as a halide. General propert ...

and a Sandmeyer reaction to insert the chlorine into the 2-position.

References

{{aromatic-stub Chloroarenes Cresols