2-Trifluoromethoxy-aniline, which can be used as an intermediate for example for preparing pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, is obtained in very good yields and high purity by nitrating in a first step 1,2-dichlorotrifluoromethoxy-benzene at temperatures between -20.degree. C. and +80.degree. C. and catalytically hydrogenating the resulting nitration products (exclusively 1,2-dichloro-5-nitro-4-trifluoromethoxy-benzene and 1,2-dichloro-3-nitro-4-trifluoromethoxy-benzene) in a 2nd step, it being possible to isolate the aniline intermediates corresponding to the two nitrobenzene derivatives; the nitrobenzene and aniline derivatives mentioned, being novel compounds, are also part of the subject matter of the invention.