2,6-Difluoroaniline is prepared from 1,2,3-trichlorobenzene by partial fluorine exchange to a mixture of 2,6-difluorochlorobenzene and 2,3-difluorochlorobenzene, amination of the chloro substituents, and separation of the desired product from the isomeric 2,3-difluoroaniline. By incorporating a selective reduction into the process immediately after the partial fluorine exchange, the undesirable 2,3-difluorochlorobenzene is converted into valuable ortho-difluorobenzene and the 2,3-difluoroaniline isomer is avoided.