A novel N,N,N-trimethyl-[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-methanaminium compound is subjected to a rearrangement reaction to give a 3-dimethylaminomethyl-2-methyl-[1,1'-biphenyl] compound which is then converted to the corresponding 3-halomethyl-2-methyl-[1,1'-biphenyl] compound. The halomethyl compound is an intermediate for pyrethroid and related insecticides having the alcohol moiety derived from a 2-methyl-[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-methanol.
Oxime ethers of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is isopropyl, cyclopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl, or cyclobutyl; X and Y are independently halogen or straight or branched chain alkyl or alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms; n is 0-2; and m is 1-4 are disclosed. The insecticidal efficacy and preparation of the compounds are described and exemplified.