# Patent

## Title
Microbicidal agents containing as active ingredient monohydroxyphenyl

## Abstract

This is a division of application Serial No. 657,679, filed February 12, 1976, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,988,376.

## Background
Chemical Abstracts 68 59110t (1968) and 67 108135v (1967) disclose the preparation of beta-substituted ethyl vinyl sulfones by the addition of alcohols and mercaptans to divinyl sulfone.

The compounds of the invention are represented by the formula

wherein R is alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, phenyl or phenyl substituted with 1 to 3 of the same or different substituents selected from fluoro, chloro, bromo, nitro or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

Representative alkyl R groups are methyl, ethyl, propyl and hexyl. Representative aryl R groups are 4-chlorophenyl, 2-fluorophenyl, 3,5-dibromophenyl, 2-nitro-4-methylphenyl, 4-tolyl, 2-chloro-4-methylphenyl, and 2,4,6-trichlorophenyl.

Preferably R is phenyl or phenyl-substituted with 1 to 2 of the same or different substituents selected from fluoro, chloro, bromo, nitro or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Most preferably, R is phenyl substituted with 1 to 2 chloro or bromo.

Representative compounds of the invention include:

The compounds of the invention are prepared by adding a sulfenyl halide (II) to divinyl sulfone (III) and dihydrohalogenating the resulting 1,2-addition product (IV) with a base to obtain the vinyl 2-substituted-thiovinyl sulfone product (I), as depicted in the following reactions: ##STR1## wherein R has same significance as previously defined, X is chloro or bromo and B is a base.

Reaction (1) is conducted by reacting substantially equimolar amounts of the sulfenyl halide (II) and divinyl sulfone (III) in the liquid phase at a temperature of about 0.degree. to 100.degree. C. Generally, an inert organic diluent, such as an alkane, haloalkane or an aromatic compound, is employed in the reaction. Reaction pressure is suitably atmospheric, subatmospheric or superatmospheric. For convenience, the reaction pressure is generally atmospheric. The reaction is generally exothermic and is completed within about 1 to 24 hours.

In reaction (2), the 1,2-addition product (I) is treated with substantially equimolar amounts of a base. The preferred base is an organic base such as a pyridine compound, e.g., pyridine or an alkylpyridine, or a trialkylamine, e.g., triethylamine. Reaction (2) is conducted in the liquid phase at a temperature of 0.degree. to 100.degree. C. The reaction pressure is not critical, and, for convenience, the pressure is generally atmospheric. The reaction is generally complete within about 1 to 24 hours. The product (I) is isolated by conventional procedures such as filtration, extraction, distillation, chromatography, etc.

The compounds of the invention are useful for controlling fungi, particularly plant fungal infections caused by Botrytis cinerea, leaf blights caused by organism such as Pythrium ultimum, Helminthosporum sativum, Fusarium moniliforme, Rhizoctonia solani, Monolinia fructicola and uromyces phaseoli typica. However, some fungicidial compounds of the invention may be more fungicidally active then others against particular fungi.

When used as fungicides, the compounds of the invention are applied in fungicidally effective amounts to fungi and/or their habitats, such as vegetative hosts and non-vegetative hosts, e.g., animal products. The amount used will, of course, depend on several factors such as the host, the type of fungus and the particular compound of the invention. As with most pesticidal compounds, the fungicides of the invention are not usually applied full strength, but are generally incorporated with conventional, biologically inert extenders or carriers normally employed for facilitating dispersion of active fungicidal compounds, recognizing that the formulation and mode of application may affect the activity of the fungicide. Thus, the fungicides of the invention may be formulated and applied as granules, as powdery dusts, as wettable powders, as emulsifiable concentrates, as solutions, or as any of several other known types of formulations, depending on the desired mode of application.

Wettable powders are in the form of finely divided particles which disperse readily in water or other dispersant. These compositions normally contain from about 5-80% fungicide, and the rest inert material, which includes dispersing agents, emulsifying agents and wetting agents. The powder may be applied to the soil as a dry dust, or preferably as a suspension in water. Typical carriers include fuller's earth, kaolin clays, silicas, and other highly absorbent, readily wettable, inorganic diluents. Typical wetting, dispersing or emulsifying agents include, for example: the aryl and alkylaryl sulfonates and their sodium salts; alkylamide sulfonates, including fatty methyl taurides; alkylaryl polyether alcohols, sulfated higher alcohols, and polyvinyl alcohols; polyethylene oxides, sulfonated animal and vegetable oils; sulfonated petroleum oils, fatty acid esters of polyhydric alcohols and the ethylene oxide addition products of such esters; and the addition products of long-chain mercaptans and ethylene oxide. Many other types of useful surface-active agents are available in commerce. The surfaceactive agent, when used, normally comprises from 1 to 15% by weight of the fungicidal composition.

Dusts are freely flowing admixtures of the active fungicide with finely divided solids such as talc, natural clays, kieselguhr, pyrophyllite, chalk, diatomaceous earths, calcium phosphates, calcium and magnesium carbonates, sulfur, lime, flours, and other organic and inorganic solids which act as dispersants and carries for the toxicant. These finely dividied solids have an average particle size of less than about 50 microns. A typical dust formulation useful herein contains 75% silica and 25% of the toxicant.

Useful liquid concentrates include the emulsifiable concentrates, which are homogeneous liquid or paste compositions which are readily dispersed in water or other dispersant, and may consist entirely of the fungicide with a liquid or solid emulsifying agent, or may also contain a liquid carrier such as xylene, heavy aromatic naphthas, isophorone, and other nonvolatile organic solvents. For application, these concentrates are dispersed in water or other liquid carrier, and are normally applied as a spray to the area to be treated.

Other useful formulations for fungicidal applications include simple solutions of the active fungicide in a dispersant in which it is completely soluble at the desired concentration, such as acetone, alkylated naphthalenes, xylene, or other organic solvents. Granular formulations, wherein the fungicide is carried on relatively coarse particles, are of particular utility for aerial distribution or for penetration of cover-crop canopy. Pressurized sprays, typically aerosols wherein the active ingredient is dispersed in finely divided form as a result of vaporization of a low-boiling dispersant solvent carrier, such as the Freons, may also be used. All of those techniques for formulating and applying fungicides are well known in the art.

The percentages by weight of the fungicide may vary according to the manner in which the composition is to be applied and the particular type of formulation, but in general comprise 0.5 to 95% of the toxicant by weight of the fungicidal composition.

The fungicidal compositions may be formulated and applied with other active ingredients, including other fungicides, insecticides, nematocides, bactericides, plant growth regulators, fertilizes, etc.

The compounds of the invention are also useful for controlling microbiological organisms such as algae, bacteria, molds and occasionally aquatic weeds which foul aqueous industrial effluents and cooling streams, such as those occurring in the paper and food processing industries. They may also be used to control such organisms in other aqueous bodies such as lakes, streams, canals, pools and the like. When so used, a biocidal quantity of one or more of the compounds of this invention is added to the aqueous growth environment of the organisms. Usually, this dosage will range between about 0.1 to 50 ppm. In any given instance, the optimum dosage will depend upon the particular organism and aqueous body involved. For instance, when used to control algae, these compounds will usually be employed at concentrations of about 0.1 to 10 ppm. In terms of pounds of compound per acre of water one foot deep 0.1 to 10 ppm is equal to about 0.3 to 30 pounds per acre of water 1 foot deep. These compounds may be applied to the aqueous growth environments of such organisms as dispersible powders or in solution with water-miscible solvents.

Fifty grams of 4-chlorophenylsulfenyl chloride was added slowly to 33.0 g of divinyl sulfone in 150 ml of dichloromethane with cooling to remove the heat of reaction. After a few hours of standing at ambient temperature, the solvent was stripped and the crude adduct was dissolved in 200 ml of benzene. Thirty-one g of triethylamine was added slowly with cooling to maintain ambient temperature. After standing for one hour, the triethylamine hydrochloride was removed by filtration. After washing with water and drying over magnesium sulfate, the solvent was stripped to give 64 g of crude product. This was purified by chromatography over silica gel to give 48 g of vinyl 2-(4-chlorophenylthio)vinyl sulfone; calculated for C.sub.10 HgCl0.sub.2 S.sub.2 :S, 24.6; found: S, 24.4.

The infrared and NMR spectra support the structure. Thin-layer chromatography on silica gel shows the presence of cis- and trans- isomers as two adjacent spots. The product is tabulated in Table I as compound No. 1.

In a manner analogous to Example 1, 4-t-butylphenylsulfenyl chloride was added in 1:1 proportion to divinyl sulfone, subjected to treatment with triethylamine in benzene, and purified by column chromatography. The product, vinyl 2-(4-t-butylphenylthio)vinyl sulfone, was obtained as a brown oil which crystallized on standing, m.p. 62.degree.-64.degree. C; calculated for C.sub.14 H.sub.18 O.sub.2 S.sub.2 :S, 22.7; found: S, 22.0; Cl, 0.

Spectroscopic examination by infrared and NMR are in full accord with the proposed structure. The product is tabulated in Table I, as compound No. 10.

The other compounds tabulated in Table I were prepared by procedures similar to that described in Example 1.

A number of the compounds of the present invention were evaluated for fungicidal effectiveness by means of a mycelial inhibition test. This test is designed to measure the fungitoxic activity of fungicidal chemicals in terms of their degree of inhibition of mycelium growth. Each compound to be tested was dissolved in acetone to 500 ppm concentration. Paper strips were innoculated with the particular mycelium growth by covering the paper with a potato dextrose broth culture of mycelial suspension. The innoculated papers were then placed on potato dextrose agar plates and sprayed by means of a micro sprayer with the fungicidal solution. The treated paper strips were incubated at 25.degree. C and data is taken after 24 hours. Fungicidal activities are measured by a zone of inhibited mycelial growth from the center of the paper strip. The effectiveness of the compounds tested for fungicidal activity is reported in Table II in terms of the microgram/cm.sup.2 for 99% control of the fungus.

Representative compounds of the invention were tested as algicides by the following method. The algae test species were Lemna, Elodea and Spirolina.

An acetone solution of the test compound and a small amount of an alkylarylpolyoxyethylene glycol-containing surfactant was prepared. This solution was mixed with a nutrient broth in a quantity sufficient to give a concentration of 2 ppm. A 240 ml container was filled with this mixture. A sample of the test algae was added to each container and the container was then placed in an illuminated environment maintained at a temperature of about 20.degree. C for incubation. The containers were observed periodically for algae growth (as compared to an untreated check). The algicidal effectiveness of the test compound was determined based on a final observation of algae growth after 7 to 10 days. The results of the test on a 0 to 100 basis -- 0 indicating no effectiveness and 100 indicating complete effectiveness -- are reported in Table III. ______________________________________ Compounds of the formula RSCH=CHSO.sub.2 CH=CH.sub.2 Elemental Analysis Compound          Physical Sulfur   Halogen No.       R       State    Calc. Found Calc. Found ______________________________________ 1       p-Cl-.phi..sup.(a) Liquid   24.6 23.5  13.6 13.4 2       m-Cl-.phi. Oil      24.6 24.2  13.6 14.7 3       p-Br-.phi. Liquid   21.0 20.7  26.2 28.8 4       p-CH.sub.3 -.phi. Oil      26.6 24.4  --   -- 5       2,5-Cl.sub.2 -.phi. Oil      21.7 20.2  24.0 25.5 6       p-F-.phi. Oil      26.3 24.1  7.8  8.4 7       p-NO.sub.2 -.phi. Semi-    23.6 21.9  --   -- solid 8       3,4-Cl.sub.2 -.phi. Oil      21.7 20.9  24.0 26.2 9       .phi.     Oil      28.3 25.9  --   -- 10      p-(t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9)-.phi. m.p.     22.7 22.2  --   -- 62-64.degree. C 11      CH.sub.3  Oil      39.0 40.5  --   -- ______________________________________ .sup.(a) .phi. represents phenyl ______________________________________ Mycelia Inhibition, microgram/cm.sup.2 for 99% control Rhiz-   Asper- Compound Pythium  octonia gillus Fusarium Botrytis No.     Ultimum  Solani  Niger Moniloforma Cinerea ______________________________________ 1       0.24     0.8     0.6   1.5      0.98 2       >1.7     0.7     0.8   1.1      0.34 3       >1.7     0.85    1.1   0.78     0.69 4       0.67     >1.7    0.68  0.68     0.83 5       >1.7     1.3     >1.7  >1.7     0.67 6       1.1      0.76    0.47  1.5      1.0 7       0.82     0.37    1.5   1.6      0.80 8       0.86     0.95    0.57  >1.7     0.87 9       1.1      0.6     0.88  >1.7     0.56 10      >1.7     0.65    0.88  1.1      >1.7 11      1.6      >1.7    >1.7  >1.7     1.6 ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Percent Aquatic Weed Control Compound No.         Lemna     Elodea    Spirolina ______________________________________ 1           100       100       -- 2           100       99        100 3           99        90        100 4           100       96        90 5           90        78         0 6           100       100       80 7           99        100       50 8           90        90         0 9           94        70        40 10          22         0        40 11          100       70        70 ______________________________________

## Claims

1. A method for the control of fungi which comprises applying thereto a fungicidally effective amount of a compound of the formula wherein R is alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, phenyl or phenyl substituted with 1 to 3 of the same or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluoro, chloro, bromo, nitro and alkyl of to 4 carbon atoms.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein R is alkyl.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein R is methyl.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein R is phenyl or phenyl substituted with 1 to 2 of the same or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluoro, chloro, bromo, nitro and alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein R is phenyl substituted with 1 to 2 chloro or bromo.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein R is p-chlorophenyl.

7. A fungicidal composition comprising a biologically inert carrier and a fungicidally effective amount of a compound of the formula defined in claim 1.

8. The composition of claim 7 wherein R is alkyl.

9. The composition of claim 7 wherein R is phenyl or phenyl substituted with 1 to 2 of the same or different substitutents selected from the group consisting of fluoro, chloro, bromo, nitro and alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

10. The composition of claim 7 wherein R is phenyl substituted with 1 to 2 chloro or bromo.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein R is 3,4-dichlorophenyl.