NOVEL PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF AMINONITRILES USEFUL FOR THE PREPARATION OF HERBICIDES

Abstract: The present invention is a process for the preparation of certain substituted aminonitriles, useful as intermediates for the preparation of certain herbicidal oxo-imidazolinyl­ pyridine, quinoline and benzene derivatives. This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Serial No. 381,812 filed May 25, 1982.

Description: NOVEL PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF AMINONITRILES USEFUL FOR THE PREPARATION OF HERBICIDES The invention is a process for the preparation of aminonitriles. of formula (I) EMI1.1 wherein R1 is C1-C4 alkyl; R2 is C1-C4 alkyl or C 3-C6 cycloalkyl, and when R1 and R2 are not the same, the racemic mixtures and the optical isomers thereof. The most preferred formula (I) compound is EMI1.2 The above formula (I) aminonitriles are useful and valuable intermediates by themselves, and especially when first hydrolyzed to the corresponding amides of formula CII): EMI1.3 wherein R1 and R2 are as hereinabove defined, for the preparation of herbicidal 2-(5,5-disubstituted-4-oxo- 2-imidazolin-2-yl)nicotinic acids and 3-quinolinecarboxylic acids of formula (III): EMI2.1 wherein R1 and R2 are as defined above; X is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl; Y is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, tri fluoromethyl, trichloromethyl, difluoromethoxy, dilower- alkylamino, Cl-C4 alkylthio, phenyl, phenoxy or phenyl or phenoxy substituted with one C1-C4 alkyl, CIC4 alkoxy or halogen; Z is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, trifluoromethyl, trichloromethyl, phenyl or phenyl substituted with one Cl-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy or halogen; and, when taken together Y and Z may form a ring in which YZ is represented by the structure: -(CH2)n-wherein n is an integer selected from 3 to 5 provided that X is hydrogen; or PZ is EMI2.2 where L, M, Q and R3 each represent members selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, Cl-C4 alkyl, Cl-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, difluoromethoxy, diloweralkylamino, C1-C4 alkylthio, nitro, phenyl, phenoxy, or mono-substituted phenyl or phenoxy where the substituent is one C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy or halogen, with the proviso that only one of the L, M, Q z or R3, may represent a substituent other than hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl or C1-C4 alkoxy; the racemates, the optical isomers thereof, and the salts thereof. Additionally, said aminonitriles are also useful and valuable intermediates for the preparation of herbicidal 2 and 6-(5,5-disubstituted-4-oxo-2- imidazolin-2-yl)benzoic acids and esters of formula (III): EMI3.1 wherein X is hydrogen, alkyl C1-C3, halogen or nitro; R1 is alkyl C1-C4; R2 is alkyl C1-C6, cycloalkyl C3-C6, alkenyl C2-C4, phenyl, halophenyl or benzyl or when R1 and R2 are taken together with the carbon to which they are attached they may represent cycloalkyl C3-C6 optionally substituted with methyl; R3 is hydrogen, alkyl C1-C12 optionally substituted with one C1-C3 alkoxy group or one C3-C6 cycloalkyl group or one phenyl group or one furyl group or with one to three halogen substituent(s) preferably chlorine, alkenyl C3-C5 optionally substituted with one or two C1-C3 alkyl group(s) or one phenyl group or with one to two halogen substituent(s) preferably chlorine, alkynyl C3-C5 optionally substituted with one or two C1-C3 alkyl group(s) or one phenyl group or with one to two halogen substituent(s) preferably chlorine, benzyl, cyclohexenylmethyl, ethynylcyclohexyl, ethynylalkyl, pentadienyl or cycloalkyl C3-C6 optionally substituted with one or two C1-C3 alkyl group(s); or a salt-forming cation or alkali metals, ammonium and aliphatic ammonium; and when R1 and R2 are not the same the optical isomers and the isomeric mixtures thereof; and except when R3 is a salt-forming cation, the acid addition salts thereof. The above formula (III) herbicides are described in the application-for United States Letters Patent of Marinus Los, Serial & -. 382,041, filed May 25, 1982 and incorporated herein by reference thereto. The above formula (IIIh) herbicides are described in the United States Letters Patent of Marinus Los, No. 4,188,487, which issued on February 12, 1980. We find, that by the novel process of the present invention a formula (I) aminonitrile may be conveniently prepared by reacting one molar equivalent of a ketone of formula (V): EMI4.1 wherein R1 and R2 are as hereinabove defined, with a mixture comprising from about I to about 10 molar equivalents and preferably 3 to 5 molar equivalents of concentrated ammonium hydroxide and from about 1 to about 2 molar equivalents and preferably from about 1.1 to 1.3 molar equivalents of hydrogen cyanide, at a temperature range of from about 200C to about 500e and preferably 40 to 450C for a period of time of from about 1 hour to about 6 hours or until the reaction is essentially complete. An additional, and significant advantage of the above process is the fact, that after the product has been recovered from the reaction mixture by conventional means, as by extraction, the mother liquor may be reused by simply dissolving in same sufficient amounts of ammonia gas and then hydrogen cyanide to reestablish the molar equivalent ratios required, as hereinabove defined. We fund, that by the above method, the mother liquor may be recycled at least five times without appreciable losses in yield and purity of the desired formula (I) aminonitrile. When R1 and R2 of the above formula (I) aminonitrile are different, then the compound of formula (I) is obtained by the above process as the racemic mixture. Racemic mixtures of the formula (I) amino nitrides may be resolved into their optical isomeric components by customary means, as by selectively precipitating one or the other isomer with the appropriate (+) or (1) optical isomer of an acid, such as tarta¯4c acid. Next, the (+) or (1) aminonitrile is regenerated from its salt with a base such as ammonium hydroxide, isolated and repreoipitated again with the appropriate (+) or (-) acid. Usually, th's cycle will have to be repeated several times until the desired optical isomer is obtained in satisfactory optical purity. As stated above, formula (I) aminonitriles are useful and valuable intermediates per se, but especially when hydrolyzed to the corresponding amides of formula (11), for the preparation of herbicidal, substituted oxo-imidazolinyl nicotinic, quinoline and benzene carboxylic acids of formula (III) and (IIIA). There are a number of routes pertaining to the preparation of said formula (III) and (IIIA) herbicides from the appropriate aminonitriles of formula (I), or the aminoamides of formula (II). One such route is shown to illustrate the preparation of said herbicides: EMI6.1 wherein X, Y, Z, R1 and R2 are as hereinabove defined The above described and illustrative basecatalyzed cyclization of the formula (IVa) and (IVb) amides is described in the application for United States Letters Patent of Jerry Michael Barton, Don Wesley Long and Kenneth Dale Lotts, Serial No. 381,818, filed May 25, 1982 and incorporated herein by reference thereto. The thus obtained formula (III) 2-(5,5disubstituted-4-oxo-2-imidazolin-2-yl)nicotinic acids, 3-quinolinecarboxylic acids, and formula (IIIA) 2 and 6-(5,5-disubstituted-4-oxo-imidazolin-2-yl)benzOic acids and esters are highly effective herbicidal agents useful for the control of a wide variety of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants, applied to the foliage thereof or to the soil containing seeds or other propagating organs of said plants such as tubers, rhizomes or stolons, at rates of from about 0.025 to 8.0 kg/ha, and preferably at rates from about 0.032 to 4.0 kg/ha. The formula (III) and (IIIA) herbicides can be formulated as wettable powders, flowable concentrates, emulsifiable concentrates, granular formulations, and the like. Wettable powders can be prepared by grinding together about 20% to 45% by weight of a finely divided carrier such as kaolin, bentonite, diatomaceous earth, attapulgite, or the like, 45% to 80% by weight of the active compound, 2% to 5% by weight of a dispersing agent such as sodium lignosulfonate, and 2% to 5% by weight of a nonionic surfactant, such as octylphenoxy polyethoxy ethanol, nonylphenoxy polyethoxy ethanol, or the like. A typical flowable liquid can be prepared by admixing about 40Z by weight of the active ingredient with about 2Z by weight of a gelling agent such as bentonite, 3d by weight of a dispersing agent such as sodium lignosulfonate,, 1% by weight of polyethylene glycol and 54% by weight of water. A typical emulsifiable concentrate can be prepared by dissolving about 5% to 25% by weight of the active ingredient in about 65% to 9O by weight of N-methylpyrrolidone, isophorone, butyl cellosolve, methylacetate, or.the like and dispersing therein about 5% to 10% by weight of a nonionic surfactant such as alkylphenoxy polyethoxy alcohol. This concentrate is dispersed in water for application as a liquid spray. Where soil treatments¯are involved, the compounds may be prepared and applied as granular products. Preparation of the granular product can be achieved by dissolving the active compound in a solvent such as methylene chloride, N-methylpyrrolidone, or the like and spraying the thus-prepared solution on a granular carrier such as corncob grits, sand, attapulgite, kaolin, or the like. The granular product thus prepared generally comprises about 3% to 20% by weight of the active ingredient and about 97% to 80% by weight of the granular carrier. In order to facilitate a further understanding of the invention, the following examples are presented primarily for the purpose of illustrating certain more specific details thereof. The invention is not to be deemed limited thereby except as defined in the claims. EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of 2-amino-2,3-dimethylbutyronitrile Method One molar equivalent of methyl isopropyl ketone is added over a 0.5 hour period to a stirred mixture of 3 to 5 molar equivalents of concentrated ammonium hydroxide and 1.20 molar equivalents of hydrogen cyanide. The reaction mixture is stirred at 40-450C for 2 to 3 hours. The product is extracted from the reaction mixture with methylene chloride and is recovered from the solution by evaporating the solvent. The aqueous mother liquor is recycled for the next reaction as follows: 95% by volume of the mother liquor is retained, sufficient amount of anhydrous ammonia is added with cooling to provide the approximately 3 to 5 molar equivalents of ammonia hydroxide per molar equivalent of methyl isopropyl ketone, followed by the addition of 1.02 molar equivalent of hydrogen cyanide per molar equivalent of said ketone. The reaction is then repeated under the conditions described above. The mother liquor is recycled by the above procedure five times and used in the preparation of the title product. The pertinent data of the six preparations are summarized in Table I below. TABLE I Preparation of 2-amino-2,3-dimethylbutjyronitrile via the recycling of mother liquor on a 0,5 mol scale Experiment 2-amino-2,3-dimethylbutyronitrile No. Recycle No. % by Wt Yield % Purity %Yield 1 1st 94,7 95.4 90.3 2 2nd 96.1 95.9 92.2 3 3rd 95.9 95.0 91.1 4 4th 94.7 95.9 90.8 5 5th 96.6 94.0 90.8 6 96.4 94.3 90.9 It can be clearly seen from the above tabulation that the recycling of the mother liquor has no effect on the overall yields of the reaction and the purity of the product; while the total volume of the mother liquor has been reduced by approximately 80%. EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of 2-arnino-2,3-dirnethylbutyronitrile By the method of Example 1, the preparation of the title product is repeated on a 9.5 molar scale (a 19x scale-up). There is obtained 988 g of product, 96.7% pure, corresponding to a 89.6% yield. EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of 2-amino-2, 3-dimethylbutyronitrile The preparation of Example 1, experiment No. 1 is repeated on a 0.1 molar scale excepting that the reaction is run at 20 to 250C for a 5 hour period of time with 7.8 molar equivalents of concentrated ammonium hydroxide and 1.25 molar equivalents of HCN. There is obtained 9.8 g ("as is" wt yield: 87.3%) title product, 97.9% pure, corresponding to a 85.5% yield. EXAMPLE 4 Resolution-racemization of (+)-2-amino-2,3-dimethyl- butyronitrile To a stirred solution of 33.8 g (0.225 mol) of D-(-)-tartaric acid in 120 mL of anhydrous methanol is added 28.1 g (0.25 mol) of (+)-2-amino-2,3-dimethylbutyronitrile. The reaction mixture is stirred at ambient temperature for 22 hours, then the resulting solid is filtered off, washed with 15 mL of methanol, and dried to give 55.4 g,of (-)-2-amino-2,3-dimethylbutyronitrile -(-)-hemitartrate. A slurry of 10.4 g of the above salt in 40 mL of water is made basic with 6.8 mL of concentrated ammonia. The solution is extracted with methylene chloride. The organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to afford 3.98 g of (-)-2 amino-2,3-dimethylbutyronitrile [a]25 = -6.360 (C = D - 0.00355 g/mL THF). EXAMPLE 5 Preparation of (+)-2-amino-2,3-dimethylbutyramide Concentrated sulfuric acid (20.7 mL) is cooled with stirring in an ice-acetone bath. To the acid is added 11.8 g of (-)-2-amino-2,3-dimethylbutyronitrile with [&alpha;]D25 = -7.31 (C = 0,0368 g/mL THF) at such a rate that the temperature does not exceed 250C. After the addition is completed, the temperature of the reaction mixture is raised slowly to 100 C and held at that temperature for one hour. After cooling the mixture in an ice-acetone bath, 85 mL of concentrated ammonia is added at such a rate that the temperature does not exceed-250C. The mixture is extracted five times with methylene chloride1 the combined extracts dried and concentrated to afford 11.95 g of a white solid, mp 79-81 C and [&alpha;]D25 = +57,43 (C = 0.0213 g/mL THF). This solid is recrystallized from methylene chloride-hexane. Similarly, hydrolysis of (+)-2-amino-2,3dimethylbutyronitrile with sulfuric acid yields (-)2-amino-2,3-dimethylbutyramide, mp 81-82 C, [&alpha;]D25 = -57.14 (C = 0.0654 g/mL THF); and sulfuric acid hydrolysis of the racemic nitrile yields (+)-2-amino2,3-dimethylbutyramide, mp 74.5-760C. EXAMPLE 6 Preparation of racemic 2-(5-isopropyl-5-methyl-4-oxo-2- imidazolin-2-yl2nicotinic acid and the optical isomers thereof To a stirred suspension of 2,3-pyridinecarboxylic anhydride (30 g) in 150 mL of acetonitrile is added a solution of racemic 2-amino-2,3-dimethylbutyramide C,28 g) in 140 mL of acetonitrile at 250 to 300C. The mixture is stirred for 2 hours. The solvent is removed at 500C and reduced pressure. The residual gum is dissolved in 230 mL of 2.6 N sodium hydroxide and heated to 80 C for 1.5 hours. The mixture is cooled to 250C and acidified to a pH of 3 with 65 tnt of 37% hydrochloric acid. The resulting solution is extracted with two 200 mL portions of m'ethylene chloride. The extracts are concentrated to a residue of 33 g of the title product, mp 160-165 C, After standing overnight, the aqueous layer deposits 3.8 g of the picolinic acid isomer, mp 155-157 C Cdec.. Substituting (+) and (-) 2-amino-2,3-dimethyl- butyramide in the above reaction affords (+)-2-(5-isopropyl-5-methyl-4-oxo-2-imidazolin-2-yl)nicotinic acid, and (-)-2-isopropyl-5-methyl-4-oxo-2-imidazolin-2-yl)nicotinic acid, respectively. EXAMPLE 7 Preparation of 2-(5-isopropyl-5-methyl-4-oxo-2-imidazo- lin-2-yl)-p-toluic acid and 6-(5-isopropyl-5-methyl-4 oxo-2-imidazolin-2-yl)-m-toluic acid To 16.4 g (0.1 mol) of 4-methylphthalic anhydride in 18 mL of 1,l,2-trichloroethane is added 12.5 g (0.16 mol) of dimethyl sulfoxide. The reaction mixture is heated to 400C and a solution containing 11.95 g (0.1 mol) of 2-amino-2,3-dimethylbutyronitrile in 12 mL of 1,1,2-trichloroethane is added. After heating the reaction mixture at 450C for 2 hours, it is cooled and the product extracted into 24.8 g (0,3 mol) of 50% NaOH in 25 mL of H20. Hydrogen peroxide 46.7 g (0.41 mol) is added to the basic solution and the resulting reaction mixture is stirred at 250C for 1 hour, then additional 50% sodium hydroxide 16.4 g (0.205 mol) is added and the reaction is heated at 80-850C for 3 hours. The product imidazolinyl-toluic acids are isolated in 93% yield by adding 100 mL of water, adjusting the pH to 4.4, extraction into methylene chloride and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. EXAMPLE 8 Preparation of 2-(5-isopropyl-5-methyl-4-oxo-2-imidazolin-2-yl)-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid To a stirred solution of 2-amino-2,3-dimethylbutyramide (40 g) in 500 mL of acetonitrile is added 60 g of 2,3-quinolinedicarboxylic anhydride in portions during about 45 minutes. The mixture is heated to 50-600C for two hours, cooled to room temperature and filtered to give 73.7 g of the mixture of carbamoyl quinolinecarboxylic acids. This solid is dissolved in 435 mL of 1.5 N sodium hydroxide and heated for two hours at 80-850C. The solution is cooled and acidified with 57 mL of 37% hydrochloric acid. The desired product is re moved by filtration and dried. The solid is re crystallized from methanol to give 49 g of 2-(5 i.sopropyl-5-methyl-4-oxo-2-imidazolin-2-yl )-3- quinolinecarboxylic acid mp 240-2420C. EXAMPLE 9 Postemergence herbicidal evaluation of test compounds The postemergence herbicidal activity of the compounds is demonstrated by the following tests, wherein a variety of mcnocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants are treated with test compounds dispersed in aqueous acetone mixtures. In the tests, seedling plants are gown in Jiffy flats for about two weeks. The test compounds are dispersed in 50/50 acetone/water mixtures containing 0.5% TWEENY 20, a polycxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate surfactant of Atlas Chemical Industries, in sufficient quantity to provide the equivalent of about 0.016 to 10 kg per hectare of active compound when applied to the plants through a spray nozzle operating at 2.8 kg cm pressure for a predetermined tme. After straying, the plants are placed on greenhouse benches and are cared for in the usual manner, commensurate with conventioral greenhouse practices. From 4 to 5 weeks after treatment, the seedling plants, are examined and rated according to the rating system provided below. The data obtained are recorded in Table III below. % Difference in Growth from the Rating System Check 0 - No effect 0 1 - Possible effect 1-10 2 - Slight effect 11-25 3 - Moderate effect 26-4Q 5 - Definite injury 41-60 6 - Herbicidal effect 61-75 7 - Good herbicidal effect 76-90 8 - Approaching complete kill 91-99 9 - Complete kill 100 4 - Abnormal growth, that is, a definite physiological malformation but with an over-all effect less than a 5 on the rating scale. In most cases the data are for a single test, but in several instances, they are average values obtained from more than one test. Plant Species Used Barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crusgalli) Green foxtail (Setaria viridis) Purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) Wild oats (Avena fatua) Quackgrass (Agropyron repens) Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensts L.) Morning glory (Ipomoea, purpurea) Ragweed (Ambrosia artemistifolia) Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) Barley (Hordeum vulgare) Corn (Zea mays) Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) Rice (Oryza sativa) Soybean (Glycine max) TABLE III Postemergence herbicidal evaluation of test compounds POSTEMERGENCE TESTE -- RATES IV KG/HA Compounds GARNY CREEN P HUT HILD QUACK FLD B MRHGL RAGWE VELVN S EAR CCRN RICE, SOYBE SUHFL (+)-2-(5-sio- RATE ARUGR FOX SCDSE OATS GRASS IHDHD RY SP ED TLEAF LY LA FIELO NATO AN NI R XXX propyl-5-methyl- 1.000 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 4-oxo-2-imida- .500 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 zolin-2-yl)- .250 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 nicotinic acid .125 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 (-)-2-(5-iso- 1.000 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 propyl-5-methyl- .500 9.0 9.0 8.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 4-oxo-2-imida- .250 9.0 9.0 8.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 3.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 zolin-2-yl)- .125 9.0 9.0 6.0 9.0 8.0 9.0 9.0 7.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 7.0 nicotinic acid .063 6.0 9.0 5.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 4.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 6.0 .032 6.0 9.0 2.0 8.0 0.0 9.0 4.0 1.0 9.0 8.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 5.0 2-(5-isopropyl- 1.000 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 7.0 9.0 9.0 5-methyl-4-oxo- 2.000 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 8.0 8.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 2-imidazolin-2- 1.000 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 8.8 8.8 8.8 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 yl)nicotinic .500 9.0 9.0 8.7 9.0 9.0 9.0 8.8 8.6 8.9 9.0 9.0 8.8 9.0 9.0 acid .250 8.0 9.0 8.8 9.0 9.0 9.0 8.9 8.6 8.9 9.0 9.0 8.8 9.0 9.0 .125 9.0 9.0 8.4 9.0 8.9 8.9 8.9 7.4 8.9 9.0 8.7 8.7 8,.7 9.0 (-)-2-(5-siopropyl-5-methyl- 1.000 8.8 9.0 1.0 8.8 8.3 6.8 8.0 8.8 4-oxo-2-imida- .800 8.8 9.0 5.8 8.3 8.8 6.3 8.0 8.8 zolin-2-yl)-3- .500 8.5 8,8 5.8 7.5 8.0 5.5 7.8 7.5 quinolinecarbo- .400 8.5 8.5 5.5 7.3 7.8 5.3 7.8 7.8 xylic acid .300 7.8 8.5 4.5 7.3 7.5 4.8 7.5 7.8 TABLE III (Continued) POSTEMERGENCE TESTE -- RATES IV KG/HA Compounds BARNY GREEH P HUT HILD QUACK FLD B MRHGL RAGHE VELVN CORH RICE, SOYBE (+)-2-(5-sio- RATE ARUGR FOX SCDSE OATS GRASS IHDHD RY SP ED TLEAF FIELO HATO AIT AD propyl-5-methyl- 1.000 9.0 9.0 7.0 8.8 8.0 8.0 9.0 8.0 4-oxo-2-imida- .800 9.0 9.0 7.3 9.0 9.0 7.0 9.0 9.0 zolin-2-yl)- .500 9.0 9.0 6.8 8.8 9.0 7.0 8.8 8.8 auinolinecarbo- .400 8.8 9.0 6.8 8.3 9.0 7.0 7.8 8.0 xylic acid .300 8.8 8.8 6.8 7.8 8.7 6.3 8.0 7.3 2-(5-isopropyl- 8.000 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 5-methyl-4-oxo- 4.000 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 8.5 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 2-imidazolin-2- 2.000 9.0 9.0 8.5 9.0 9.0 9.0 8.3 8.5 9.0 9.0 9.0 yl)-3-quinoline- 1.000 9.0 9.0 8.3 9.0 8.9 8.7 8.3 8.8 8.6 9.0 9.0 6.7 carboxylic acid .800 9.0 8.8 6.8 8.8 8.8 6.8 8.0 8.3 racemic mixture .500 8.9 8.9 7.6 9.0 8.6 8.3 7.7 8.4 7.7 9.8 9.0 8.3 EXAMPLE 10 Preemergence herbicidal evaluation of test compounds The preemergence herbicidal activity of the compounds is exemplified by the following tests in which the seeds of a variety of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants are separately mixed with potting soil and planted on top of approximately one inch of soil in separate pint cups. After planting, the cups are sprayed with the selected aqueous acetone solution containing test compound in sufficient quantity to provide the equivalent of about 0.015 to 10 kg per hectare of test compound per cup. The treated cups are then placed on greenhouse benches, watered and cared for in accordance with conventional greenhouse procedures. From 4 to 5 weeks after treatment, the tests are terminated and each cup is examined and rated according to the rating system set forth above. The herbicidal proficiency of the active ingredients of the present invention is evident from the test results which are recorded in Table TV below. Where more than one test is involved for a given compound, the data are averaged. TABLE IV Postemergence herbicidal evaluation of test compounds POSTEMERGENCE TESTE -- RATES IV KG/HA Compounds GARNY CREEN P HUT HILD QUACK FLD B MRHGL RAGWE VELVN S EAR CCRN RICE, SOYBE SUHFL (+)-2-(5-sio- RATE ARUGR FOX SCDSE OATS GRASS IHDHD RY SP ED TLEAF LY LA FIELO NATO AN NI R XXX 5-methyl-4-oxo-2- .500 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 imidazolin-2-yl)- .250 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 nicotinic acid .125 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 .063 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 8.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 .032 8.0 8.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 3.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 .014 8.0 8.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 1.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 8.0 (-)-2-(5-isopropyl-5-methyl- .500 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 4-oxo-2-imida- .250 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 7.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 7.0 zolin-2-yl)- .125 7.0 9.0 9.0 8.0 9.0 9.0 7.0 9.0 9.8 9.0 9.0 9.0 5.0 nicotinic acid .065 1.0 8.0 3.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 1.0 9.0 9.8 7.0 8.0 9.0 4.0 .032 0.0 5.0 1.0 0.0 9.0 8.0 0.0 9.0 9.0 5.0 7.0 9.8 3.0 2-(5-isopropyl- 10.000 8.0 9.0 9.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 5-methyl-4-oxo- 2.000 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 8.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 8.0 2-imidazolin-2- 1.000 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 8.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 8.5 9.0 yl)nicotinicacid .500 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 8.7 8.8 8.8 9.0 9.0 9.0 8.7 9.0 .250 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 8.8 8.8 8.8 9.0 9.0 9.0 8.7 9.0 .125 8.6 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 8.6 8.8 9.0 9.0 9.0 8,7 9.0

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. 1, A process for the preparation of a compound of formula EMI21.1 wherein R1 is C1-C4 alkyl; R2 is C1-C4 alkyl or C3-C6 cycloalkyl, and when R1 and R2 are not the same, the racemic mixtures and the optical isomers thereof; comprising: reacting one molar equivalent of a ketone of formula EMI21.2 wherein R1 and R2 are as hereinabove defined, with a mixture of 2 to 10 molar equivalents of concentrated ammonium hydroxide and of 1 to 2 molar equivalents of hydrogen cyanide at a temperature range of from 250C to 5O0C for a period of time from 1 to 6 hours or until the reaction is essentially complete. 2. A process according to Claim 1 wherein the amount of concentrated ammonium hydroxide is 3 to 5 molar equivalents, the amount of hydrogen cyanide is 1.1 to 1.3 molar equivalents, the temperature range is 400C to 450C and the reaction time is 2 to 3 hours. 3. A process according to Claim 1 wherein the compound is 2-amino-2,3-dimethylbutyronitrile. 4. A process according to Claim 1 wherein 1 molar equivalent of methyl isopropyl ketone 15 reacted with a mixture of 3-5 molar equivalents of concentrated ammonium hydroxide and 1.20 molar equivalents of hydrogen cyanide at a temperature range of 40-450C for a 2.5 hour period of time.

Inventors: NIGRO, MATTHEW MICHAEL, STEPEK, WALTER JOSEPH
Applicants: AMERICAN CYANAMID COMPANY
Application year: 1984
Main classification: C07C120
IPC codes: C07C67, C07C253, C07D401, A01N43, C07D233, C07C255