DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a process for preparation of azoxystrobin.
BACKGROUND
Azoxystrobin is a broad spectrum fungicide from the strobilurin group and exhibits systemic, translaminar and protectant properties and inhibits fungal respiration. Its disease spectrum includes powdery and downy mildews and both rice blast (Pyricularia oryzae) and sheath blight (Thanatephorus cucumeris). Azoxystrobin is used as a protective treatment or during early stages of disease establishment. In cereals, the length of disease control is generally about four to six weeks during the period of active stem elongation, but can be more when applied at flag leaf/ear emergence.
Chemically, azoxystrobin is methyl (E)-2-{2-[6-(2-cyanophenoxy)pyrimidin-4-yloxy]phenyl}-3-methoxyacrylate, having CAS Registry Number: 131860-33-8. It is represented by Formula I.

Conventionally, synthesis of azoxystrobin involves complex and expensive processes.
Therefore, there is felt a need to provide a simple and economic process for the synthesis of azoxystrobin.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a simple and economic process for synthesizing azoxystrobin in high yield.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a process for synthesizing azoxystrobin in high yield with high purity.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a process for preparation of azoxystrobin. The process comprises the following steps:
2-Hydroxybenzonitrile (II) is alkylated with 4,6-dichloropyrimidine (III) using a first base to obtain 2-[(6-chloropyrimidin-4-yl)oxy]benzonitrile (IV).
(2-Hydroxyphenyl)acetic acid (V) is cyclized using a cyclizing agent to obtain 1-benzofuran-2(3H)-one (VI), followed by alkylating the compound of formula VI using an trialkylorthoformate to obtain (3Z)-3-(methoxymethylidene)-1-benzofuran-2(3H)-one (VII).
The compound of formula VII is reacted with a metal methoxide to obtain a mixture comprising methyl (2Z)-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-methoxyprop-2-enoate (VIII) and methyl 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3,3-dimethoxypropanoate (IX).
The mixture comprising the compounds of formula VIII and IX is alkylated with IV using a second base to obtain a mixture comprising azoxystrobin (I) and methyl 2-(2-((6-cyanophenoxy)pyrimidin-4-yl)oxy)phenyl)-3,3-dimethoxypropionate (X).
X present in the mixture comprising the compounds of formula I and X is de-alcoholyzed using an anhydride and an acid catalyst to obtain I.
The first base is at least one selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate and potassium bicarbonate. The mole ratio of the compound of formula II to the first base is in the range of 1:1 to 1:5.
The step of alkylating 2-hydroxybenzonitrile (II) is carried out in a first fluid medium selected from the group consisting of acetone, acetonitrile, methyl isobutyl ketone, dimethyl formamide, and dimethylsulfoxide.
The step of cyclizing (2-hydroxyphenyl)acetic acid (V) to obtain 1-benzofuran-2(3H)-one (VI), and alkylating the compound of formula VI to obtain (3Z)-3-(methoxymethylidene)-1-benzofuran-2(3H)-one (VII) is a single pot reaction.
The cyclizing agent is acetic anhydride. The trialkylorthoformate is at least one selected from the group consisting of triethylorthoformate, and trimethylorthoformate.
The step of cyclization followed by alkylation comprises a step of purification of the compound of formula VII. The purification is carried out by crystallization using a second fluid medium as a crystallization medium. The second fluid medium is methanol.
The metal methoxide is sodium methoxide.
The step of reacting compound of formula VII with a metal methoxide is carried out in a third fluid medium, and the third fluid medium is methanol.
The second base is at least one selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO).
The step of alkylating the mixture comprising the compounds of formula VIII and IX is carried out in a fourth fluid medium. The fourth fluid medium is at least one selected from the group consisting of acetone, acetonitrile, methyl isobutyl ketone, dimethyl formamide, and dimethylsulfoxide.
The step of de-alcoholysis is carried out in a fifth fluid medium. The fifth fluid medium is methyl isobutyl ketone.
The anhydride is acetic anhydride, and the acid catalyst is p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA).
The yield of azoxystrobin (I) is in the range of 60% to 85%, and the purity of azoxystrobin (I) is in the range of 96 % to 98.5 %.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Azoxystrobin is a fungicide used for the protection of plants, fruits and vegetables. The conventional processes for the synthesis of azoxystrobin are associated with drawbacks such as being complex and expensive processes.
The present disclosure envisages a simple and economic process for preparing azoxystrobin.
The process involves the following steps.
Step-i:

2-Hydroxybenzonitrile (II) is alkylated with 4,6-dichloropyrimidine (III) using a first base to obtain 2-[(6-chloropyrimidin-4-yl)oxy]benzonitrile (IV).
The first base is at least one selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate and potassium bicarbonate. The mole ratio of the compound of formula II to the first base is in the range of 1:1 to 1:5.
The alkylation of II with III is carried out in a first fluid medium. The first fluid medium is at least one selected from the group consisting of acetone, acetonitrile, methyl isobutyl ketone, dimethyl formamide, and dimethylsulfoxide.
The alkylation of the compound of formula II with the compound of formula III involves the following steps:
The compound of formula III, the first base and the first fluid medium are mixed to obtain a first resultant mixture. The first resultant mixture is heated at a temperature in the range of 50 ?C to 100 ?C to obtain a heated first resultant mixture.
A mixture of the compound of formula II and the first fluid medium is slowly added to the heated first resultant mixture to obtain a first reaction mixture, followed by stirring the first reaction mixture for a time period in the range of 1 hour to 30 hours to obtain a first product mixture. The compound of formula IV is isolated from the first product mixture.
The slow addition of the mixture of the compound of formula III and the first fluid medium to the heated first resultant mixture is carried out over a period in the range of 0.25 hour to 12 hours.
Step ii:

(2-Hydroxyphenyl)acetic acid (V) is cyclized using a cyclizing agent to obtain 1-benzofuran-2(3H)-one (VI), followed by alkylating the compound of formula VI using an trialkylorthoformate to obtain methoxyethylidene derivative (3Z)-3-(methoxymethylidene)-1-benzofuran-2(3H)-one (VII).
The cyclizing agent is acetic anhydride. The mole ratio of the compound of formula V to the cyclizing agent is in the range of 1:1 to 1:10.
The trialkylorthoformate is at least one selected from the group consisting of triethylorthoformate, and trimethylorthoformate. The mole ratio of the compound of formula V to the trialkylorthoformate is in the range of 1:1 to 1: 6.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the cyclization step and further alkyation step are carried out in a single pot.
The single pot reaction involves the following steps:
(2-Hydroxyphenyl)acetic acid (V) is mixed with the cyclizing agent to obtain a second resultant mixture, followed by heating the second resultant mixture to a temperature in the range of 80 ?C to 130 ?C.
Trialkylorthoformate is slowly added to the heated second resultant mixture to obtain a second reaction mixture. The second reaction mixture is further heated at a temperature in the range of 80 ?C to 130 ?C for a time period in the range of 5 hours to 50 hours followed by partial distillation to obtain a second product mixture comprising the compound of formula VII.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second resultant mixture may further contain a predetermined amount of 1-benzofuran-2(3H)-one (VI). The ratio of the amount of the compound of formula V and the predetermined amount of 1-benzofuran-2(3H)-one (VI) is in the range of 4:1 to 1:4.
The isolation of the compound of formula VII from the second product mixture involves the following steps,
a) The second product mixture is cooled, and the cooled second product mixture is filtered to obtain a residue and a filtrate.
b) The residue is washed successively with acetic anhydride, methylene dichloride (MDC), and water to obtain a washed residue.
c) The washed residue is further washed with an alkali till the washing has a neutral pH to obtain a first crop of compound of formula VII. The alkali is dilute NaHCO3.
d) The MDC layer obtained in step (b) is concentrated and the concentrated MDC layer is successively washed with water, and NaHCO3 to obtain washed MDC layer. Volatiles are removed from the washed MDC layer to obtain a second crop of compound of formula VII.
e) The first crop of the compound of formula VII and a second crop of the compound of formula VII are combined to obtain the compound of formula VII.
The compound of formula VII is further purified. The purification is carried out by crystallization using a second fluid medium as a crystallization medium. The second fluid medium is methanol.
Step iii:

The compound of formula VII is reacted with a metal methoxide to obtain a mixture of methyl (2Z)-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-methoxyprop-2-enoate (VIII) and methyl 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3,3-dimethoxypropanoate (IX).
The metal methoxide is sodium methoxide. The mole ratio of the compound of formula VII to the metal methoxide is in the range of 1:1 to 1:2.5.
The step of reacting the compound of formula VII with the metal methoxide is carried out in a third fluid medium. The third fluid medium is methanol.
The step of reacting the compound of formula VII with the metal methoxide involves the following steps:
The compound of formula VII is mixed with a third fluid medium to obtain a third resultant mixture, followed by cooling the third resultant mixture to a temperature in the range of -10 ?C to 10 ?C to obtain a cooled third resultant mixture.
A solution of metal methoxide in methanol is slowly added to the cooled third resultant mixture to obtain a third reaction mixture, followed by stirring the third reaction mixture at a temperature in the range of -10 ?C to 10 ?C for a time period in the range of 1 hour to 24 hours to obtain a third product mixture.
The third product mixture is neutralized by slowly adding an acid to it to obtain a neutralized mass. The neutralized mass is added to water to obtain a neutralized mixture, followed by stirring the neutralized mixture. The product comprising a mixture of the compounds of formula VIII and IX is separated from the neutralized mixture.
The step of separation is carried out by various methods such as extraction with an organic solvent.
The slow addition of the solution of sodium methoxide is carried out over a period in the range of 0.5 hours to 5 hours. The neutralized mixture is stirred for a period of 0.25 hours to 5 hours.
Step iv:

The mixture of the compounds of formula VIII and IX is alkylated with IV using a second base to obtain a mixture comprising azoxystrobin (I) and methyl 2-(2-((6-cyanophenoxy)pyrimidin-4-yl)oxy)phenyl)-3,3-dimethoxypropionate (X).
The second base is at least one selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO). The amount of the second base used is in the range of 2 g/mole to 10 g/mole of the compound of formula IV.
The step of alkylating the mixture of the compounds of formula VIII and IX is carried out in a fourth fluid medium. The fourth fluid medium is at least one selected from the group consisting of acetone, acetonitrile, methyl isobutyl ketone, dimethyl formamide, and dimethylsulfoxide.
The alkylation of the mixture of the compounds of formula VIII and IX with IV involves the following steps:
The compound of formula IV is mixed with at least one fourth fluid medium, and a second base to obtain a fourth resultant mixture.
A solution of the mixture of VIII and IX in the fourth fluid medium is added to the fourth resultant mixture to obtain a fourth reaction mixture; followed by stirring the fourth reaction mixture to obtain a fourth product mixture.
The product comprising a mixture of I and X is isolated from the fourth reaction mixture.
The step of isolation is carried out by removing inorganics from the fourth product mixture, followed by distillation to obtain a residue. The residue is further purified.
The step of stirring the fourth reaction mixture is carried out at a temperature in the range of 10 ?C to 80 ?C for a time period in the range of 5 hours to 48 hours.
Step v:

The compound of formula X present in the mixture comprising the compound of formula X and azoxystrobin (I) is de-alcoholyzed using an anhydride and an acid catalyst to obtain azoxystrobin (I).
The step of de-alcoholysis is carried out in a fifth fluid medium. The fifth fluid medium is methyl isobutyl ketone.
The anhydride is acetic anhydride. The mole ratio of the compound of formula X to the anhydride is in the range of 1:1 to 1:2.
The acid catalyst is p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA). The amount of the acid catalyst used is in the range of 2 g/mole to 10 g/mole of the compound of formula X.
The de-alcoholysis involves the following steps:
An anhydride, an acid catalyst and a fifth fluid medium are added to the mixture comprising azoxystrobin (I) and the compound of formula X to obtain a fifth reaction mixture, followed by heating the fifth reaction mixture at a temperature in the range of 50 ?C to 150 ?C to obtain a fifth product mixture.
The fifth product mixture is cooled, followed by washing the cooled fifth product mixture with water to obtain a washed fifth product mixture. The washed fifth product mixture is further cooled to a temperature in the range of 5 ?C to 15 ?C to obtain a suspension, followed by filtering the suspension to obtain azoxystrobin (I).
The heating of the fifth reaction mixture is carried out for a time period in the range of 1 hour to 24 hours.
The yield of azoxystrobin (I) is in the range of 60% to 85%. The purity of azoxystrobin (I) is in the range of 96 % to 98.5 %.
The process of the present disclosure provides azoxystrobin (I) in high yield and with high purity. Further, the process of the present disclosure involves the use of readily available reactants and reagents. Therefore, the process of the present disclosure is inexpensive. Furthermore, the process of the present disclosure is simple.
The present disclosure is further described in light of the following experiments which are set forth for illustration purpose only and not to be construed for limiting the scope of the disclosure. The following experiments can be scaled up to industrial/commercial scale and the results obtained can be extrapolated to industrial scale.
Experiment:
Step i: Reaction of 2-hydroxybenzonitrile (II) with 4,6-dichloropyrimidine (III) to form 2-((6-chloroprimidin-4-yl)oxy)benzonitrile (IV)
4,6-Dichloropyrimidine (III) (447g, 3.0 mole) was added to a reaction vessel containing K2CO3 (165.6g, 1.2 mole) in 3000 ml methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) and stirred to obtain a first resultant mixture. The first resultant mixture was heated to 60°C. A solution of o-hydroxybenzonitrile (II) (119g, 1.0 mole) dissolved in 1000 ml MIBK was added over a period of 4 hours to the first resultant mixture to obtain a first reaction mixture. The first reaction mixture was stirred for 3 hours to obtain a first product mixture. The amount of 4,6-dichloropyrimidine in the product mixture was less than 0.5% by HPLC. The first product mixture was worked up to isolate 2-((6-chloroprimidin-4-yl) oxy) benzonitrile (IV). The yield of IV was 185.2g, 80%.
Step ii: Cyclization of (2-hydroxyphenyl)acetic acid (V) to 1-benzofuran-2(3H)-one (VI) and alkylation of VI to obtain methoxyethylidene derivative (3Z)-3-(methoxymethylidene)-1-benzofuran-2(3H)-one (VII)
(2-Hydroxyphenyl)acetic acid (V) (46.21 g), 2-benzofuranone (41.65 g., 96.5 %), and acetic anhydride (240 ml) were charged in a reactor at 30 °C under nitrogen atmosphere to obtain a second resultant mixture. 1’-packed column and Cleisen head was arranged on the reactor to control the distillation rate. The second resultant mixture was heated to 102°C and trimethyl orthoformate (TMOF) (131.13 g, 97%) was introduced in the heated second resultant mixture, below the surface of the second resultant mixture over 4 hours to obtain a second reaction mixture. The second reaction mixture was stirred at 105 °C for 13 hours, followed by removal of acetic acid, methyl acetate, and excess TMOF by distillation to obtain a second product mixture. HPLC analysis after 10 hours showed 3-(methoxy-methylene)-2-benzofuranone (MMB) formation = 95 % and starting benzofuranone = 1.6 %.
The second product mixture was cooled to 25°C and then filtered to obtain a residue and a filtrate. The residue was washed successively with chilled acetic anhydride, methylenedichloride (MDC) and water, followed by suck drying to obtain a washed residue. The washed residue was washed with dilute NaHCO3 wash till neutral pH to obtain a first crop of MMB. The MDC layer was concentrated and the concentrated MDC layer was washed with water followed by NaHCO3. Volatiles were removed from the washed MDC layer to obtain a second crop of MMB. The first crop and second crop of MMB were mixed. The crude yield of MMB was 113 gm with the purity 93 % (HPLC).
Purification
110 gm of MMB was taken in 220 ml methanol. The mass was heated to 68°C, and then cooled to 30°C. Solids were filtered off and the filtered solids were washed with cold methanol to obtain MMB having HPLC purity 99.8 % and yield 62.2 gm.
Step iii: Reaction of VII with metal alkoxide
Compound of formula VII (193.6g, 1.1 mole) was charged to a reactor containing 500 ml methanol to obtain a third resultant mixture and the third resultant mixture was cooled to 0 °C. Sodium methoxide (70.2g, 1.3 mole) solution was prepared in methanol. Sodium methoxide solution was added to the cooled third resultant mixture over a period of 1 hour while maintaining the temperature at 0 °C to obtain a third reaction mixture. The third reaction mixture was stirred at 0 °C for 3 hours to obtain a third product mass. The third product mass was neutralized with acetic acid. The neutralized mass was added to ice water over a period of 1 hour, followed by stirring for 0.5 hour toobtain a resultant mass. The resultant mass was extracted with methylene dichloride (MDC). The MDC layer was washed with water, and the washed MDC layer was concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain a yellow oily mass comprising a mixture of VIII and IX. The The combined yield of VIII and IX was 85%.

Step iv: Alkylation of the mixture of VIII and IX with 2-((6-chloroprimidin-4-yl)oxy)benzonitrile to form Azoxystrobin (I)
To 500 ml DMSO was added 2-((6-chloroprimidin-4-yl)oxy) benzonitrile (IV) (231.5g, 1 mole), K2CO3 (138g, 1.0 mole), 5 g DABCO to obtain a fourth resultant mixture followed by stirring at room temperature. 264g (1.1 mole) of mixture of VIII and IX dissolved in 500 ml DMSO was added to the fourth resultant mixture in four lots to obtain a fourth reaction mixture.
After complete addition, the fourth reaction mixture was stirred for 15 hours at 30 °C. The amount of methyl 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3,3-dimethoxypropanoate was < 1% (HPLC). The inorganics were filtered, and the filtrate (DMSO layer) was distilled under reduced pressure to obtain a residue. 400 ml Methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) was added to the residue and the resultant mass was heated to 60°C, followed by cooling to 10 °C. Solids were filtered, and washed with MIBK, and the washed solids were dried to obtain a product comprising a mixture of X and I. The combined yield of X and I was 305g, 70%.

Step v: De-alcoholysis of X present in the mixture of X and I to obtain Azoxystrobin
The mixture of X and I (435 g, 1.0 mol) was mixed with 500 ml MIBK, followed by addition of 1.1mole acetic anhydride and 5 g PTSA to obtain a fifth reaction mixture. The fifth reaction mixture was heated at 100 °C for 8 hours. At this stage, the amount of unreacted X in the product mixture was < 0.5%. The fifth product mixture was cooled to 30 °C, and washed with water, and cooled to 0 °C. The residue was filtered to obtain Azoxystrobin (I). The yield was 282.1g, 70%.

TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of:
? a simple and economical process for preparation of azoxystrobin.

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the invention to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results. While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Variations or modifications to the formulation of this invention, within the scope of the invention, may occur to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the disclosure herein. Such variations or modifications are well within the spirit of this invention.
The numerical values given for various physical parameters, dimensions and quantities are only approximate values and it is envisaged that the values higher than the numerical value assigned to the physical parameters, dimensions and quantities fall within the scope of the invention unless there is a statement in the specification to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the specific features of the preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that many additional features can be added and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiment without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A process for preparing of azoxystrobin, the process comprising the following steps:
i. alkylating 2-hydroxybenzonitrile (II) with 4,6-dichloropyrimidine (III) using a first base to obtain 2-[(6-chloropyrimidin-4-yl)oxy]benzonitrile (IV);

ii. cyclizing (2-hydroxyphenyl)acetic acid (V) using a cyclizing agent to obtain 1-benzofuran-2(3H)-one (VI), followed by alkylating the compound of formula VI using an trialkylorthoformate to obtain (3Z)-3-(methoxymethylidene)-1-benzofuran-2(3H)-one (VII);

iii. reacting the compound of formula VII with a metal methoxide to obtain a mixture comprising methyl (2Z)-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-methoxyprop-2-enoate (VIII) and methyl 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3,3-dimethoxypropanoate (IX);

iv. alkylating the mixture comprising the compounds of formula VIII and IX with IV using a second base to obtain a mixture comprising azoxystrobin (I) and methyl 2-(2-((6-cyanophenoxy)pyrimidin-4-yl)oxy)phenyl)-3,3-dimethoxypropionate (X); and

v. de-alcoholyzing X present in the mixture comprising the compounds of formula I and X using an anhydride and an acid catalyst to obtain I.

2. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first base is at least one selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate and potassium bicarbonate, and the mole ratio of the compound of formula II to the first base is in the range of 1:1 to 1:5.
3. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step (i) is carried out in a first fluid medium selected from the group consisting of acetone, acetonitrile, methyl isobutyl ketone, dimethyl formamide, and dimethylsulfoxide.
4. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of cyclizing (2-hydroxyphenyl)acetic acid (V) to obtain 1-benzofuran-2(3H)-one (VI), and alkylating the compound of formula VI to obtain (3Z)-3-(methoxymethylidene)-1-benzofuran-2(3H)-one (VII) is a single pot reaction.
5. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cyclizing agent is acetic anhydride, and the mole ratio of the compound of formula V to the cyclizing agent is in the range of 1:1 to 1: 10.
6. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trialkylorthoformate is at least one selected from the group consisting of triethylorthoformate and trimethylorthoformate, and the mole ratio of the compound of formula V to the trialkylorthoformate is in the range of 1:1 to 1: 6.
7. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step (ii) comprises a step of purification of the compound of formula VII, the purification is carried out by crystallization using a second fluid medium as a crystallization medium, and the second fluid medium is methanol.
8. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metal methoxide is sodium methoxide, and the mole ratio of the compound of formula VII to the metal methoxide is in the range of 1:1 to 1:2.5.
9. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step (iii) is carried out in a third fluid medium, and the third fluid medium is methanol.
10. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second base is at least one selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), and the amount of the second base used is in the range of 2 g/mol to 10 g/mol of the compound of formula IV.
11. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step (iv) is carried out in a fourth fluid medium, and the fourth fluid medium is at least one selected from the group consisting of acetone, acetonitrile, methyl isobutyl ketone, dimethyl formamide, and dimethylsulfoxide.
12. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step (v) is carried out in a fifth fluid medium, and the fifth fluid medium is methyl isobutyl ketone.
13. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anhydride is acetic anhydride, and the mole ratio of the compound of formula X to the anhydride is in the range of 1:1 to 1:2.
14. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the acid catalyst is p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA), and the amount of the acid catalyst used is in the range of 2 g/mol to 10 g/mol of the compound of formula X.
15. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the yield of azoxystrobin (I) is in the range of 60% to 85%, and the purity of azoxystrobin (I) is in the range of 96 % to 98.5 %.