The present invention relates to a process for reacting chemical compounds comprising the step of reacting a compound of formula (IV) wherein Hal is independently selected from CI or Br, and X is a monovalent anion, in the presence of an inorganic acid, wherein the aqueous inorganic acid has a concentration of at least about 60%, at a temperature of about 140 C. to Cabout 250 C., to obtain a compound of formula (V) wherein Hal is as defined above.

##STR00001##

A system and process for continuous preparation of meta-cresol. The system may include one or more components such as a gas mixing unit, a reactor unit connected to a coiled reactor, a diazotization unit including a trickle bed reactor unit having a set of packed columns, an excess NOx removal unit, a hydrolysis reactor unit, a layer separation unit, a spent acid recovery unit, and a meta-cresol collection unit.

A system and process for continuous preparation of meta-cresol. The system may include one or more components such as a gas mixing unit, a reactor unit connected to a coiled reactor, a diazotization unit including a trickle bed reactor unit having a set of packed columns, an excess NOx removal unit, a hydrolysis reactor unit, a layer separation unit, a spent acid recovery unit, and a meta-cresol collection unit.