The invention discloses a bentazone intermediate sulfonation-chlorination two-step continuous preparation process which comprises the following steps: continuously metering and adding a
solvent,
chlorosulfonic acid,
triethylamine,
isopropylamine and a catalyst into a first-section tubular reactor, and carrying out sulfonation reaction to obtain a reaction material isopropylaminosulfonic acid; continuously introducing the reaction material
isopropylamine sulfonic acid into a second section of tubular reactor, and simultaneously continuously metering and adding
methyl anthranilate and
phosphorus oxychloride for chlorination reaction; after the reaction is finished,
quenching the reaction liquid with water, and carrying out layering and
distillation treatment to obtain an intermediate o-
isopropylamine sulfonamide
methyl benzoate solid; and carrying out ring-closure reaction on the intermediate o-isopropylamino sulfonamido
methyl benzoate solid and
sodium methoxide in a
methanol solution to prepare the bentazone
active compound. According to the method, the defects of low bentazone product content and poor yield caused by high temperature of intermittent sulfonation and chlorination are effectively overcome, the
operation time is shortened, and the productivity is improved.