A convenient procedure for the synthesis of N-[(trifluoromethyl) nitro
phenyl] substituted anilines by means of a chloro-substitution reactio
n under conditions of phase-transfer catalysis (PTC) is reported. The
ipso-substitution product is obtained with high yield. This method pro
vides a general procedure for the synthesis of diphenylamines bearing
electron-withdrawing groups in both aromatic rings.