This invention relates to a process for preparing 2'-methyl-2-haloacetanilides by selective catalytic hydrogenation of 2'-(halomethyl)-2-haloacetanilides. The 2'-(halomethyl)-2-haloacetanilides are initially prepared by reacting an ortho-(halomethyl) aniline or its anilinium salt with a haloacetyl halide.