Anthraquinone compounds of the formula, ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen, alkyl or cycloalkyl, which are useful as intermediates for disperse dyes and as sublimable dyes for thermal transfer recording, are prepared by allowing the compound of the formula, ##STR2## wherein X is hydrogen or sulfonic acid group, to react with a cyanogenating agent in an aqueous medium in the presence of a compound, such as polyalkylene glycols.