NOVEL SULFONE, PROCESS FOR ITS PREPARATION, COMPOSITION CONTAINING IT AND USE THEREOF

Abstract: 3-(Methylsulfonyl)-2-chloropropanenitrile, a new com­ pound is prepared by reacting methyl sulfonyl chloride with an excess of acrylonitrile in the presence of a copper catalyst. The compound is effective as a biocide, as a herbicide and for other uses.

Description: NOVEL SULFONE PROCESS FOR ITS PREPARATION, COMPOSITION CONTAINING IT AND USE THEREOF This invention relates to a novel sulphone, to a process for its preparation, to compositions containing it and to its use as a fungicide, particularly in paints, and as a post-emergence herbicide. Many sulfones are known to possess agricultural or biocidal activity. For example, some sulfones are taught to be useful for the control of micro-organisms and specific materials have been shown to possess bactericidal, fungicidal or algicidal activity. Similarly, some sulfones have been taught to be useful as insecticides or herbicides. One patent, U.S. Patent 3,140,307, relates to certain toxic sulfones which are arylsulfonyl haloalkanenitriles. Certain of these materials are shown to have some bactericidal, insecticidal or, biocidÅal.activity Another patent, U. S. Patent 3,441,614, relates a process for the production of certain sulfones. This patent pertains to the production of beta 2Doroorganosulfones, employing, as a catalyst, an iron compound or a copper compound, which may be used with a source of chloride ioni such as triethyl ammonium chloride, and indicates that beta-chiorosulfones are of interest as pesticides and as intermediates for the manufacture of certain alpha, beta-unsaturated sulfones, said-to be known as bactericidic and fungicidal compounds. Another patent, U. S. Patent No. 4,079,148, describes certain antimicrobial sulfones. While this patent relates a relatively broad class of sulfones, it is directed to and claims certain unsaturated monohalogenated sulfones and certain saturated, dihalogenated sulfones,.which are said to have a variety of microbiocidal activities. This invention relates to a novel sulfone and to a process for its preparation. More particularly, the present invention relates to 3- (methylsulfonyl) -2-chloropropanenitrile, as a novel compound, to a process for its preparation and to compositions and methods for its use as a biocide, particularly in paints, as a postemergence herbicide and for other uses. The novel compound of the present invehtion is represented by the formula EMI3.1 and is prepared by the reaction of methyl sulfonyl chloride with acrylonitrile in the presence of. a catalyst, in accordance with the following schematic equation: EMI3.2 In the reaction, one mole of methylsulfonyl chloride is reacted with from about 1 to about 6 moles, and preferable an excess, for example, from about 2 to about 4 moles, of acrylonitrile in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst may be a copper catalyst, such as CuCl or CuCl2.2H2O, and is preferably employed in an amount of from about 1 to 5 percent by weight of the acrylonitrile. Preferably, an amine hydrochloride, for example triethyl amine hydrochloride, is also employed in an amount of from about 100 to about 500 weight percent of the copper catalyst.. The reaction may be conducted at a temperature of from about 30 to about 1000C. for a period -of 1 to 36 hours and is preferably condudted at the reflux temperature of acrylonitrile, e.e. from about 75 to about 850C., for a period of from about 16 to 24 hours. Normally, the reaction will be conducted at atmospheric pressure, but it may be conducted at a pressure of from about 14 to 28 -p.s.i.a. The reaction is preferably conducted in an inert atmosphere, such as an atmosphere of nitrogen gas. After the reactants have been heated for the indicated time, as set forth above, the reaction mixture is brought to ambient temperature, for example, by being allowed to stand at room temperature for a period of 1 to 4 hours. The resulting reaction product is a solid which can be triturated with a solvent, for example, a methylene dichloride-hexane mixture, air dried and recovered. The novel compound of the present invention has been found to be useful as a fungicide and bactericide against organisms found to cause problems in paint compositions. In order to test the effectiveness of this compound, against organisms which adversely affect paints, the following tests were conducted. Test Procedure A Minimum Inhibitory Concentration test with bacteria and fungus was performed in nutrient broth. The test compound was added to sterile broth at 0.1% (1000PPM) and diluted sequentially with sterile broth to yield required levels. One drop of an actively-growing 24-hour culture was added to each level and incubated for a period of 24 hours at a temperature of 300C. At the end of the time period, an aliquot from each tube was placed on nutrient agar and observed for growth. The results of the tests are shown in Table I, below, wherein "Compound 1" is 3-(methylsulfonyl)-2 chloropropanenitrile, TABLE I BACTERIAL AND FUNGAL MINIMUM INHIBITORY CONCENTRATION OF COMPOUND 1 Bacterial - Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1000 PPM 500 PPM 250 PPM 125 PPM 62.5 PPM Compound 1 - pH 4 - - - - Compound 1 Buffered to pH 6.8 - - - - Fungal - Alternaria solani 1000 PPM 500 PPM 250 PPM 125 PPM 62.5 PPM Compound 1 - pH 4 - - - - + Compound 1 Buffered to pH 6.8 - - - + + LEGEND : + + = Growth As can be seen from Table I, activity against bacteria and against fungus was shown at low concentrations and at two pH levels. Although it is believed that this compound will be effective in paint compositions, its activity in paint compositions has not yet been successfully demonstrated. The present compound has also been found to exhibit activity as a post emergence herbicide. The postemergence herbicidal activity of the present compound was evaluated as follows: Test Procedure Aluminum planting flats measuring 15.2 x 22.9 x 8.9 cm were filled to a depth of 7.6 cm with loamy sand soil, containing 50 parts per million (ppm) each of the commercial fungicide cis-N(trichloromethyl)thio -4 cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboximide (captain ) ) and 17-17-17 fertilizer (percentages of N-P205-K2O) on a weight basis). Several rows were impressed across the width of each flat and a variety of seeds of both grass and broadleaf weed species were planted, one species per row. The weed species used are listed below: Broadleaf weeds: A. Annual morning glory Ipomoea purpurea B. Cocklebur Xanthium sp. C. Jimsonweed Datura stramonium D. Velvetleaf Abutilon theophrasti E. Mustard Brassica sp. F. Nightshade Solanum sp. G. Pigweed Amaranthus sp. Grasses: H. Yellow nutsedge Cyperus esculentus I. Downybrome Bromus Tectorum J. Foxtail Setaria sp. K. Annual ryegrass Lolium multiflorum L. Watergrass Echinochloa crusgalli M. Shattercane Sorghum bicolor N. Wild oat Avena fatua The broad leaf species were seeded first, and the grasses were seeded four days later. Ample seeds of each species were planted to produce 20 to 50 seedlings per row after emergence, depending on the size of each plant. Ten days after the grasses were seeded, the emerged seedlings of all species were sprayed with aqueous solutions of the test compounds. The solutions were prepared to such dilutions that a spray rate of 80 gallons per acre (750 liters per hectare) gave from 0.5 to 4.0 pounds of test compound per acre (0.56 to 4.48 kilograms per hectare) as desired for each test. Additional flats not treated at all were used as standards for measuring the extent of weed control in the treated flats. Nineteen days later, the test flats were compared to the standards and the weeds in each row were rated visually in terms of percent control ranging from 0% to 100%, with 0% representing the same degree of growth as the same row in the standard and 100% representing complete kill of all weeds in the row. All types of plant injury were taken into consideration. The results are shown in Table II, wherein 11compound 1" is 3- (methylsulfonyl) -2-chloropropanenitrile. TABLE II HERBICIDAL TEST RESULTS Percent Control Application Broadleaf Weeds - Grasses Test Compound Rate (lb/A) A B C D E - J K L M N Compound 1 4.0 75 75 40 75 65 30 The present compound has also been found to exhibit activity as an insecticide. In addition to the above-described use for the compound of the present invention, it is believed that the present compound is generally useful as a fungicide, not only in paints, but also as a fungicide for other uses, including the protection of plastics and polymer materials and as an agricultural fungistat. Similarly, the present compound is believed useful, generally, as a miticide, an algicide and as a microbiological toxicant for the control of bacteria, molds, actinomycetes and the like. It is believed that the present compound is also useful in the prevention and control of bacterial infection and of decomposition and decay caused by mildew and molds. The present compound, it is believed, can be employed for the protection of organic materials subjected to deterioration by rotting, such as leather, fur, pulp, paper, textiles, rope, rubber, latex, plastics and paint. Incorporation of the present material, where it functions as a fungistat, in such organic materials is especially desirable when the materials are exposed to conditions favoring microbiological growth. It is also believed that the present compound can be used to protect wood which is buried in the ground, textiles exposed to damp, for example, lawn furniture, awnings and the like, and in marine paints and lacquers subject to algae and fungal attack. The present compound is also believed useful as a seed protectant and soil sterilant, and to be active against sulphate-reducing bacteria. It is believed that the present compound can be added as a biocide to oil field injection flood waters for the prevention of pipe plugging caused by releasing bacteria, and to be useful as a biocide for addition to cooling water systems, as paper mill water systems and the like. The present compound is also believed to exhibit germicidal activity and to be effective as a disinfectant, useful for disinfecting and sterilizing surgical instruments, dairy equipment, eating utensils and the like. The present compound can be applied directly to the material being treated, for example, by incorporation in a soap or a cream. It may also be employed in a dilute concentration for most applications, and is preferably employed in conjunction with a carrier or a diluent. The choice of diluent is determined by the use of the composition as use of concentration of the active ingredient in the diluent. Thus, by a mixture of an inert pulverulent carrier such as talc, bentonite, diatomaceous earth and the like, there can be prepared compositions suitable for a mixture with seeds and the like to afford protection from microbiological attack in the soil. Solutions of the compound of the present invention in inorganic solvents such as kerosene, may be applied as a spray or impregnating bath. Suitable formulations of the present compound for application to articles subject to microbiological attack can also prepared by mixing the compound with an emulsifying agent suitably in the presence of organic solvent and diluting with water to form an aqueous emulsion. Suitable emulsifying agents include alkyl benzene sulfonates, polyalkylene glycols, etc. Aqueous emulsions of the compound of the present invention may also be used as disinfectant solution, for example, to wash floors and walls and the like. In another embodiment of the present invention, standard paint formulations may be used as diluent or carrier for the compound of the present invention, which can function in prevention mold growth. The paints can be applied to surfaces which are thereby rendered resistant to the growth of lower organisms. The present novel sulfone can be admixed with carriers, which are active of themselves, for example, with hormones, with buffering and/or softening agents and the like. As indicated above, the novel compound of the present invention may be used as a biocide to prevent, control or inhibit the growth of microorganisms, such as fungi. Thus, another embodiment of this invention comprises a method of controlling microorganisms by applying to the locus where such control is desired. An effective amount of the present compound varies with the use and the degree of control desired. For the various uses of the compound of this invention to control microorganisms, one skilled in the art will be able, without undo experimentation, determine the effective amount of the compound required to provide the desired degree of control. In order that the present invention be more fully understood, the following examples are given b way of illustration. No specific details or enumerations contained therein should be construed as limi.tations to the present invention except insofar as they appear in the appended claims. In the examples, and throughout this specification, all parts and percentages are by weight, unless otherwise specified. EXAMPLE 1 preparation of 3-(methylsulfonyl)-2-chloropropanenitrile EMI15.1 11.5 g (100 m mole) of CH3-SO2-C1, 26 ml (21.2 g, 400 m mole) of acrylonitrile, 200 mg (2 m mole) of CuCl and 400 mg (3 m mole) of Et3N HCl were mixed and heated to reflux in an atomsphere of nitrogen at about atmospheric pressure. A temperature of 840C. was maintained. Reaction mixture was found to darken. The reaction was continued, under reflux conditions for about 18 hours, after which the reaction mixture was found to be perfectly clear and amber in color. Refluxing was continued for a total time of 26 hours; after which the mixture solidified and was dissolved in CH2CL2/ethyl acetate, washed with water, dried and concentrated to a pale yellow oil by vacuum distillation of the solvents. The yield of 3-(methylsulfonyl)-2-chloropropanenitrile was found to be 16.0 g. The product solidified, upon standing, and was found to have a melting point of 60-620C. It was submitted for NMR analysis and was found to be 95% pure 3-(methylsulfonyl)-2- chloropropaenitrile. EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of 3-(Methylsulfonyl)-2-chloropropanenitrile EMI16.1 11.5 g (l00mitnleof Ch3SO2Cl, 26 ml. (21.g, 400 m mole) of acrylonitrile, 200 mg (2m mole) of Cull, 400 mg (3 m mole) of Et3N HCl and 10 drops of octadecene were mixed and heated to reflux in an atmosphere of nitrogen at about atmospheric pressure Na. A temperature of 850C. was maintained. The reaction was continued, under reflux conditions for about 18 hours, after which the reaction mixture was found to be perfectly clear and amber in color. Refluxing was continued for a total time of 26 hours; after which the mixture was allowed to stand overnight. The mixture solidified and was dissolved in CH2Cl2/ethyl acetate, washed with water, dried and concentrated to a pale yellow oil by vacuum distillation of the solvents. The yield of 3-(methylsulfonyl)-2-chloropropanenitrile was found to be 17.0 g. The product solidified, upon standing, and was found to have a melting point of 64-680C. It was submitted for I. R. and NMR analysis and was found to be 95% pure 3-(methylsulfonyl)-2chloropropanenitrile.

Claims: Claims 1. 3- (methylsulfonyl) -2-chloropropanenitrile. 2. An antimicrobial composition characterised in that it comprises an antimicrobial effective amount of the compound claimed in claim 1, optionally with an adjuvant. 3. A herbicidal composition characterised in that it comprises a herbicidally effective amount of the compound claimed in claim 1 optionally with an adjuvant. 4. A process for the preparation of 3-(methylsulfonyl)-2-chloropropanenitrile which comprises reacting methylsulfonyl chloride with an excess of acrylonitrile in the presence of a copper catalyst.

Inventors: MANTIS, ANDREW P., SIMMONS, KIRK A.
Applicants: STAUFFER CHEMICAL COMPANY
Application year: 1983
Main classification: C07C147
IPC codes: C07C317, A61K31, C07C313, A01N41, C07C67