A process for the preparation of substituted halogenated anilines from substituted halogenated 1-chlorobenzenes which comprises a) reacting a substituted halogenated 1-chlorobenzene selectively with an imine in the presence of a transition metal catalyst complex and a base to form an N-aryl imine; b) hydrolyzing the N-aryl imine; and c) isolating the substituted halogenated aniline.