HERBICIDAL 1-ARYL- delta <2>-1,2,4-TRIAZOLIN-5-ONES

Abstract: Novel aryltriazolinone compounds of formula (I), in which R is a radical selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, 1-methylethyl, methoxymethyl, 2-methoxyethyl, 1-methyl-2-methoxyethyl, 2-propenyl, 2-propynyl, and 1-methyl-2-propynyl have herbicidal utility against a variety of grassy and broadleaf weeds in both preemergence and postemergence applications and show a selectivity favorable to cotton in preemergence applications.

Description: HERBICIDAL 1-ARYL-Δ -1, 2, -TRIAZOLIN-5-ONES The invention described in this application pertains to weed control in agriculture, horticul¬ ture, or other fields where there is a desire to control unwanted plant growth. More speci ically, the present application describes novel herbicidal 2 1-aryl-Δ -1,2, 4-triazolin-5-ones, herbicidal com¬ positions containing the new compounds, methods for preparing the compounds, and methods for preventing or destroying undesired plant growth by preemer¬ gence or postemergence application of the herbici¬ dal compositions to the locus where control is desired. The present compounds may be used to ■ effectively control a variety of both grassy and broadleaf plant species. - 2 Various herbicidal 1-aryl-Δ -1 , 2,4-tria- zolin-5-ones are known in the art. U.S. Patent No. 4,318,731 and corresponding British Patent No. 2,056,971 disclose herbicidal aryltriazolinones of the formula wherein R 1 is alkyl, R2 is hydrogen, alkyl, or alkenyl, and X is hydroxy, alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxy- alkoxy, alkenyloxy, or alkyloxycarbonylalkyloxy. British Patent No. 2,090,250, a continuation- in-part of the above British patent, adds to the above genus compounds wherein R2 is alkynyl, haloraethyl, or haloethyl, and X is alkoxy, alkenyl- oxy, alkynyloxy, alkoxyalkoxy, hydroxy, haloraethyl- oxy, or haloethyloxy. European Patent Application Publication No. 55,105 discloses a series of herbicidal aryltria- zolinones of the formula wherein R is alkyl, alkenyl, or cycloalkyl, X is chlorine or bromine, and Y is hydrogen or alkoxy. Japanese okai 81-32,468 discloses herbicidal aryltriazolinones of the formula wherein R is hydrogen, alkyl, or 2-propenyl, and R is methyl or alkoxy. South African Patent Application No. 78/3182 discloses herbicidal aryltriazolinones of the formula pi wherein R is hydrogen or represents 1 to 4 same or different radicals selected from halogen, nitro, cyano, optionally halo-substituted alkyl, alkoxy, or alkylthio, and optionally substituted phenyl or phenoxy, and R is alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, dialkoxy- ethyl, dialkylaminoethyl, or cycloalkyl. U.S. Patent No. 4,315,767 discloses herbicidal bicyclic compounds of the following formula wherein V is hydrogen, halogen, methyl, or alkoxy, X is hydrogen, halogen, cyano, methyl, methoxy, or nitro, Y is hydrogen, halogen, or methyl, m and n are 0 to 4 Cm plus n is 2 to 4), Q is oxygen or sulfur, and Z is oxygen, S(0) , or NR wherein p is 0-2 and R 1 is alkyl, pro"vided that when m plus n is 2 or 4 then Y and X are other than hydro¬ gen, and when Z is S(0) then n is 1 to 4. Additional herbicidal bicyclic compounds based on the aryltriazolinone nucleus are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,213,773 and have the following structural formula wherein V is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, or -OR ; R is optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, optionally substituted benzyl, alkylarainocarbonyl, (alkyl)(methyl or methoxy)- aminocarbonyl, acyl, alkoxycarbonyl, or -CHR 7R8 7 8 wherein R is hydrogen or alkyl and R is cyano, acetyl, hydroxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, hydroxymethyl, alkoxymethyl, alkylcarbonyloxy- methyl, hydroxycarbonylethenyl, alkoxycarbonyl- ethenyl, or a group -C0-NR 1:L R 12 wherein R 11 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, or alkoxy, and R 12 is hydrogen or alkyl; X is halogen, cyano, methyl, methoxy, or nitro; Y is hydrogen, halogen, or methyl; Z is hydrogen or halogen; n is 3-5; m is 0-2; and Q is oxygen or sulfur, with certain pro¬ visos. 2 A class of Δ -1,2,4-triazolin-5-ones is dis¬ closed as fungicides in U.S. 4,098,896. The dis¬ closed genus has the formula wherein R is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, or optionally substituted phenyl or arylalkyl, R 2 is haloalkyl or haloalkenyl, and R is optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl, or option¬ ally substituted aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl. The compounds of this invention are l-[4- bromo-2- luoro-5-(substituted)oxyphenyl]-3-methyl- 2 4-difluororaethyl- -l,2,4-triazolin-5-ones of the formula wherein R is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxyalkyl, or alkyl-S(O) -alkyl wherein n is 0 to 2. The present compounds are named in accordance with the numbering system shown in formula I, for the ring atoms of the heterocycle which is the same as the numbering system used in U.S. 4,318,731, supra, for similar compounds. A subgenus of this invention comprises the compounds of formula I in which R is selected from -CH 3 , -C 2 H 5 , -CH(CH-) 2 , -CH 2 OCH 3 , -CH 2 CH 2 OCH 3 , -CH(CH 3 )CH 2 0CH 3 , -CH 2 CH=CH 2 , -CH 2 C≡CH, and -CH(CH 3 )C≡CH. The presence of a bromine atom at the C-4 position of the phenyl ring in formula I was found to generally give superior cotton selectivity in preemergence applications at application rates at which a variety of weeds are controlled. A preferred aspect of the invention comprises the compounds in which R is selected from ~CH 3 , -C 2 H 5 , -CH(CH 3 ) 2 , -CH 2 OCH 3 , -CH 2 CH 2 OC-_ 3 , -CH 2 C=CH, and -CH(CH )C≡CH. In a preferred specific embodiment, R is selected from ~CH 3 , -CH 2 OCH 3 , and -CH 2 C≡CH. The present compounds, which have a fluorine atom at the C-2 position of the phenyl ring, in general have herbicidal properties far superior to those of the corresponding compounds having a chlorine atom at C-2 of the phenyl ring, and are highly active at low application rates against a variety of grassy and broadleaf weed species in both preemergence and postemergence applications. The compounds of this invention.may be pre¬ pared by methods analogous to the methods described in. the references above for similar compounds or by methods within the skill of the art. The disclo¬ sures: in the above references pertaining to methods of: preparation are incorporated herein -by re erence. The compound of formula I in which R is hydro¬ gen., is an important intermediate to the herbicidal compounds of formula I in which R is as defined above, as illustrated in Examples 2-7 below. Other compounds useful as intermediates are the compounds corresponding to formula I in which the -CHF^ - substituent is replaced with a hydrogen atom, as illustrated in Example 1H below. Preparation of the present compounds is illustrated in the following examples. All temperatures shown are in degrees Celcius, and reduced pressures for concentration of liquid were produced by a vacuum pump. EXAMPLE 1 PREPARATION OF l-(4-BROMO-2-FLUORO-5- METHOXYPHENYD-3-METHYL-4-DIFLUOROMETHYL- Δ 2 -l,2,4-TRIAZOLIN-5-ONE ' Step A 2-Bromo-4-fluorophenyl methyl carbonate A stirred solution of 561 g (5.0 moles) of 4- luorophenol in 600 mL of dioxane was cooled in an ice-water bath and 831 g (5.2 moles) of bromine was added dropwise. The complete addition required 1.5 hours, during which the reaction mixture tem¬ perature was maintained at 14-25°C. Following the addition, the ice-water bath was removed, and the reaction mixture temperature rose to 35°C. The reaction mixture was stirred for two hours, then 600 mL of water, followed by 520 mL of 10.8N aqueous sodium hydroxide were added dropwise over 30 minutes and 1 hour respectively. Upon complete addition, £he reaction mixture was cooled to 0-10°C, and 591 g (6.15 moles) of methyl chlorofor- mate was added dropwise over four hours. Upon complete addition, the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to ambient temperature and was stirred for 17 hours. After this time, 450 g of aqueous 501 sodium hydroxide was added to neutralize the reac¬ tion mixture. The resultant solid was collected by filtration, and the filt-er cake washed with two 500 mL portions of water. The solid was dried under reduced pressure to give 1211 g .of 2-bromo-4- fluorophenyl methyl carbonate; m.p. 75-78°C. The nmr spectrum was consistent with the pro¬ posed structure. Step B 2-Bromo-4-fluoro-5-nitrophenyl methyl carbonate A rapidly stirred solution of 946 g (3.8 moles) of 2-bromo-4- luorophenyl methyl carbonate in 1292 mL of sulfuric acid was cooled to 5-10°C, and 368 g (4.18 moles) of 70. nitric acid was added dropwise over two hours. Upon complete addition, the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to ambient temperature and was stirred for two hours. The reaction mixture was poured into 5000 mL of ice water. Any material remaining in the reaction vessel was washed into the ice-water with 750 mL of water. The resultant solid was collected by fil¬ tration and washed with 1000 mL of water. The solid was dried with mild heat under reduced pres¬ sure to give 1031 g of 2-bromo-4- luoro-5-nitro- phenyl methyl carbonate. The nmr spectrum was consistent with the pro¬ posed structure. Step C 2-Bromo-4-fluoro-5-nitrophenol A stirred solution of 1031 g (3.5 moles) of 2-bromo-4- luoro-5-nitrophenyl methyl carbonate in 3000 mL of 2.3N aqueous sodium hydroxide was heated to reflux and stirred for three hours. The hot reaction mixture was filtered through diatomaceous earth. Any material remaining in the reaction vessel was washed onto the filter cake with 1000 mL of water. The filtrate was cooled to 8-10°C, and 560 mL of concentrated hydrochloric acid was added, with stirring, over one hour. The resultant solid was collected by filtration. Any material remain¬ ing in the reaction vessel was washed onto the filter cake with 1000 mL of water. The dried filter cake was recrystallized from toluene to give, in two crops, 543 g of 2-bromo-4- luoro-5- nitrophenol, m.p. 124-126°C. The nmr spectra were consistent with the pro¬ posed structure. Step D 4-Bromo-2- luoro-5-methoxynitrobenzene A stirred solution of 30.0 g (0.127 mole) of 2-bromo-4- luoro-5-nitrophenol, 26.9 g (0.19 mole) of methyl iodide, and 26.3 g (0.19 mole) of potas¬ sium carbonate in 200 mL of acetone was heated at reflux for five hours. The reaction mixture was filtered, and the filtrate concentrated under reduced pressure to give a residue. The residue was dissolved in methylene chloride and passed through a column of silica gel. The eluate was concentrated under reduced pressure to give 30 g o£ 4-bromo-2- luoro-5-methox nitrobenzene; m.p. 74-76°C. Step E 4-Bromo-2-fluoro-5-methoxyaniline To a stirred solution of 30.0 g (0.12 mole) of 4-bromo-2-fluoro-5-methoxynitrobenzene in 200 mL of acetic acid was added 40 mL of water, followed by the portionwise addition of 30.0 g (0.54 mole) of iron filings during a 2.5 hour period. Upon com¬ plete addition, the reaction mixture was stirred at 25-35°C. for one hour. D-iethyl ether, 200 mL, was added, and the reaction mixture . was, filtered through a pad of diatomaceous earth. The filtrate was washed with 200 mL of water. The organic layer was separated and neutralized with solid sodium bicarbonate. The mixture was dried with magnesium sulfate and filtered. The filtrate was concen¬ trated under reduced pressure to give a residual solid. The solid was recrystallized from petroleum ether to give 23.5 g of 4-bromo-2-fluoro-5-methoxy- aniline; m.p. 60-62°C. Step F Pyruvic acid, 4-bromo-2-fluoro-5-methoxy- phenylhydrazone Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a stirred solu¬ tion of 23.5 g (0.107 mole) of 4-bromo-2-fluoro-5- methoxyaniline in 150 mL of concentrated hydro¬ chloric acid was cooled to -9°C, and a solution of 7.4 g (0.107 mole) of sodium nitrite in 40 mL of water was added dropwise over two hours. Upon com¬ plete addition, the reaction mixture was stirred at -9°C for 45 minutes, then a solution of 36.0 g (0.160 mole) of stannous chloride in 50 mL of con¬ centrated hydrochloric acid was added dropwise over one hour. The reaction mixture temperature was maintained at -9 to 0°C throughout the addition. Upon complete addition, the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to ambient temperature and was stirred for two hours. After this time, 100 mL of water was added to the reaction mixture, followed by the dropwise addition of a solution of 9.4 g (0.107 mole) of pyruvic acid in 100 mL of water. Upon complete addition, the reaction mixture was stirred for 30 minutes at ambient temperature. The reaction mixture was filtered to collect a solid. The solid was dried to give 23.5 g of' pyruvic acid, 4-bromo-2-fluoro-5-methoxyphenylhydrazone; m.p. 156-158°C. Step G l-(4-Bromo-2- luoro-5-methoxyphenyl)-3- 2 methyl-Δ -1,2, -triazolin-5-one A stirred solution of 22.7 g (0.074 mole) of pyruvic acid, 4-brorao-2- luoro-5-methoxyphenyl- hydrazone, 20.5 g (0.074 mole) of diphenylphos- phoryl azide, and 7.5 g (0.074 mole) of triethyl- amine in 150 mL of toluene was heated at reflux for four hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and diluted with diethyl ether. The mixture was extracted three times with aqueous 1 molar sodium hydroxide. The combined extracts were washed with diethyl ether and made acidic with concentrated hydrochloric acid. The resultant solid was collected by filtration and washed with water. The solid was dried to give 15.0 g of l-(4-brorao-2- fluoro-5-methoxyphenyl)-3-raeth 1-Δ 2 -1,2,4- triazolin-5-one. The nmr spectrum was consistent with the proposed structure. Step H l-(4-Bromo-2-fluoro-5-methoxyphenyl)-3- mmeetthhyl1--44--ddiifflluuooιromethy1-Δ -1,2,4- triazolin-5-one A stirred solution of 15.0 g (0.050 mole) of l-(4-bromo-2-fluoro-5-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl- 2 Δ -l,2,4-triazolin-5-one, 5.6 g (0.10 mole) of potassium hydroxide, and 1.6 g (0.005 mole) of tetrabutylammonium bromide in 150 mL of tetrahydro- furan was saturated with gaseous chlorodifluoro- methane. The reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 16 hours. An additional 2.9 g (0.052 mole) of potassium hydroxide was added, and the reaction " mixture was again saturated with chlorodifluoromethane. Upon complete satura¬ tion, the reaction mixture was stirred for two hours, then diluted with diethyl ether. The mix¬ ture was washed with water, then with aqueous saturated sodium chloride. The organic layer was dried with sodium sulfate, filtered, and the fil¬ trate concentrated under reduced pressure to give a residue. The residue was subjected to column chromatography on silica gel. Elution was accom¬ plished with 2:1 methylene chloride.petroleum ether. The appropriate fractions were combined and concentrated under reduced pressure to give 4.2 g of l-(4-bromo-2-fluoro-5-methoxyphenyl)-3-meth 1- 2 4-difluorometh l-Δ -1,2,4-triazolin-5-one; m.p. 129-130°C. The nmr and the i-r spectra were consistent with the proposed structure. Analysis calc'd for C,.HgBrF 3 N 3 0 2 : C37.52, H 2.58, N 11.93; Found: C37.38, H 2.35, N 11.52. EXAMPLE 2 PREPARATION OF l-(4-BROMO-2-FLUORO-5-METHOXY- METHOXYPHENYL)-3-METHYL-4-DIFLUOROMETHYL-Δ 2 - l,2,4-TRlAZOLIN-5-ONE Step A l-(4-Bromo-2- luoro-5-hydroxyphenyl)-3- 2 methyl-4-di luoromethy1-Δ -1,2,4-tria- zolin-5-one A stirred solution of 7.3 g (0.029 mole) of boron tribromide in 30 mL of methylene chloride was cooled to -40°C, and a solution of 3.0 g (0.009 mole) of l-(4-bromo-2-fluoro-5-raethoxyphenyl)-3- methyl-4-difluorometh 1-Δ -1,2,4-triazolin-5-one (Example 1) in 25 mL of methylene chloride was added dropwise. The reaction mixture temperature was maintained at -40°C throughout the addition. Upon complete addition, the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to ambient temperature and was stirred for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into ice-water, and the mixture extracted with diethyl ether. The extract was dried with sodium sulfate, filtered, and the filtrate concen¬ trated under reduced pressure to give a residue. The residue was dissolved -in diethyl ether, and the solution was passed through a pad of silica gel. The eluate was concentrated under reduced pressure to give 2.9 g of l-(4-bromo-2-fluoro-5-hydroxy- 2 phenyl)-3-methyl-4-difluorometh 1-Δ -1,2,4-tria- zolin-5-one. The nmr and the ir spectra were consistent with the proposed structure. Step B l-(4-Bromo-2-fluoro-5-methoxymethoxy- pphheennyyll))--33--mmeetthhyyll--44--ddii_fluoromethyl-Δ - 1,2,4-triazolin-5-one To a stirred suspension of 0.15 g (0.003 mole) of sodium hydride (50% in mineral oil) in 10 mL of toluene was slowly added 1.1 g (0.003 mole) of * l-(4-bromo-2-fluoro-5-hydroxyphenyl)-3-methyl-4-di- 2 fluoromethyl-Δ -1,2,4-triazolin-5-one. N,N-di- methylacetamide (1-2 mL) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature until it became clear. The reaction mixture was cooled to 20°C, and 0.8 g (0.006 mole) of methoxymethyl bro¬ mide was added. Upon complete addition, the reac¬ tion mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was poured onto ice and allowed to stand for one hour. The organic layer was separated and dried with magnesium sul- fate. The mixture was filtered, and the filtrate subjected to column chromatography on silica gel. Elution was accomplished with 4:1 methylene chlo¬ ride:heptane. The appropriate fractions were com¬ bined and concentrated under reduced pressure to give 0.9 g of l-(4-bromo-2-fluoro-5-methoxymethoxy- 2 phenyl)-3-methyl-4-difluoromethyl-Δ -1,2,4-tria- zolin-5-one as an oil. The nmr spectrum was consistent with the pro¬ posed structure. Analysis calc'd for C, 2 H. ,BrF 3 N 3 0 3 : C 37.72, H 2.89, N 10.99; Found: C 38.32, H 2.86, N 10.91. EXAMPLE 3 PREPARATION OF l-(4-BROMO-2-FLUORO-5- PR0PARGYL0XYPHENYL)-3-METHYL-4-DIFLU0R0- METHYL-Δ 2 -l,2,4-TRIAZOLIN- 5-ONE A stirred solution of 2.5 g (0.008 mole) of l-(4-bromo-2-fluoro-5-hydroxvphenyl)-3-methyl-4-di- fluoromethyl-Δ -1,2,4- triazolin-5-one (prepared as in Step A, Example 2), 1.6 g (0.012 mole) of potassium carbonate, and 1.9 g (0.017 mole) of pro- pargyl bromide in 30 mL of acetone was heated at reflux for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a residue. The residue was dissolved in methylene chloride and subjected to column chroma- tography on silica gel. Elution was accomplished using methylene chloride. The appropriate frac¬ tions were combined and concentrated under reduced pressure to give 2.3 g of l-(4-bromo-2-fluoro-5- 2 propargyloxyphenyl)-3-methyl-4-di£luoromethyl- Δ - 1,2,4-triazolin-5-one; m.p. 70-72°C. The nmr spectrum was consistent with the proposed structure. Analysis calc'd for C-, 3 HgBrF 3 N 3 0 2 : C 41.51, H 2.41, N 11.17; Found: C 41.33, H 2.19, N 11.35. The following compounds were prepared from l-( 4-bromo-2-fluoro-5-hydroxyphenyl)-3-methyl-4-di- 2 fluoromethyl-Δ -1,2,4- triazolin-5-one (Example 2A) by an alkylation procedure analogous to that described above in either Example 2B or Example 3: Example 4, l-(4-BROMO-2-FLQORO-5-ETHOXY- PHENYL)-3-METHYL-4-DIFLU0R0METHYL-Δ 2 -l,2,4-TRIA- Z0LIN-5-0NE, m.p. 106-108°C. The ir and nmr spectra were consistent with the proposed structure, Analysi s calc ' d f or C ^r j BrF j N^ : C 39. 36 , H 3. 03 , N 11. 48 ; Found : C 39. 65 , H 2. 82 , N 11. 22. Example 5, 1- [4-BROMO-2-FLUORO-5-(1-METHY - ETHOXY)-PHENYL]-3-METHYL-4-DIFLU0R0METHYL-Δ 2 - l,2,4-TRIAZ0LIN-5-0NE, obtained as an oil. The ir and nmr spectra were consistent with the proposed structure. Analysis calc'd for C, 3 H, 3 BrF 3 N 3 0 2 : C 41.07, H 3.45, N 11.05; Found: C 41.03, H 3.19, N 10.93. Example 6, 1- [4-BROMO-2-FLUORO-5-(1-METHYL- PROPARGYLOXY)PHENYL]-3-METHYL-4-DIFLUOROMETHYL-Δ 2 - l,2,4-TRlAZOLIN-5-ONE, m.p. 80-82°C. The ir and nmr spectra were consistent with the proposed structure. Analysis calc'd for C 14 H ι;L BrF 3 N 3 0 2 : C 43.10, H 2.84, N 10.76; Found: C 43.32, H 2.83, N 10.54. Example 7, 1- [4-BROMO-2-FLUORO-5-(2-METH- OXYETHOXY)PHENYLJ-3-METHYL-4-DIFLUOROMETHYL-Δ 2 - l,2,4-TRIAZOLIN-5-ONE, m.p. 81-82°C. The ir and nmr spectra were consistent with the proposed structure. Analysis calc'd for C. 3 H, 3 BrF;N 3 0 3 : C 39.41, H 3.31, N 10.61; Found: C 39.25, H 3.08, N 10.31. Herbicidal Activity The plant test species used in demonstrating the herbicidal activity of compounds of this inven¬ tion include cotton (Gossypium hirsutum var. Stone- ville), soybean (Glycine max var. Williams), field corn (Zea mays var. Agway 595S), rice (Oryza sativa var. Labelle) , wheat (Triticum aestivium var. Prodax) , field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), morningglory (Ipomea lacunosa or Ipomea hederacea) , velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) , barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus galli) , green foxtail (Setaria viridis) , johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) , and yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus). Seeds or tubers of the plant test species were planted in furrows in steam sterilized sandy loam soil contained in disposable fiber flats. The flats had been filled to a depth of about 6.5 cm with the soil. A topping soil of equal portions of sand and sandy loam soil was placed uniformly on top of each flat to a depth of approximately 0.5 cm. The flats for the preemergence tests were watered, then drenched with the appropriate amount of a solution of the test compound in a mixture of acetone and water containing a small amount (up to 0.5% v/v) of sorbitan monolaurate emulsifier/ solubilizer. The concentration of the test compound in solution was varied to give a range of application rates, generally 8.0 kg/ha and sub- multiplies thereof. The flats were placed in a greenhouse and watered regularly at the soil surface for 21 days at which time phytotoxicity data were recorded. The flats for the postemergence tests were placed in a greenhouse and watered for 8-10 days, then the foilage of the emerged test plants was sprayed with a solution of the test compound in acetone-water containing up to 0.5% s'orbitan mono¬ laurate. After spraying, the foliage was kept dry for 24 hours, then watered regularly for 21 days, and phytotoxicity data recorded. Phytotoxicity data were taken as percent control. Percent control was determined by a method similar to the 0 to 100 rating system disclosed in "Research Methods in Weed Science," 2nd ed. , B. Truelove, Ed.; Southern Weed Science Society; Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, 1977. The present rating system is as follows: Rating Description Percent of Main Crop Weed Control Categories Description Description 0 No ef ect No crop reduction No weed control or injury 10 Slight discoloration Very poor weed or stunting control 20 Slight Some discoloration, Poor weed effect stunting or stand control 30 Crop injury more Poor to defi¬ pronounced but not cient weed lasting control 40 Moderate injury, Deficient weed crop usually control recovers 50 Moderate Crop injury more Deficient to effect lasting, recovery moderate weed control 60 Lasting crop Moderate weed injury no recovery control 70 Heavy injury and Control somewhat stand loss less than satis¬ factory 80 Severe Crop nearly des¬ Satisfactory to troyed a few good weed survivors control 90 Only occasional Very good to live plants left excellent control 100 Complete Complete crop Complete weed effect destruction destruction Herbicidal data are given for various compounds of the invention in Tables 1 and 2 below. The test compounds are identified in the tables by Example numbers. In the tables "kg/ha" is kilograms per hectare and "% C" is percent control. TABLE 1 Preemergence Acti vi ty Compound Number* 1 2 3 4 Rate ( kg/ha) 0. 0~625 0. 0 * 625 0.7625 0.TJ625 Species %C % C %C %C Cotton 0 0 10 0 Soybean 30 95 80 50 Field Corn 100 100 95 80 Rice 90 95 90 70 Wheat 90 95 95 50 Field Bindweed - 95 Morningglory 95 100 90 95 Velvetleaf 100 100 100 100 Barnyardgrass 100 100 100 100 Green Foxtail 90 100 100 100 Johnsongrass 90 95 100 100 Yellow Nutsedge 80 - 80 ' 70 Compound Number* 5 6 7 Rate (kg/ha) 0.TJ625 0.7625 0.TJ625 Species %C %C % Cotton 0 * 10 20 Soybean 10 70 50 Field Corn 80 80 90 Rice 80 95 80 Wheat 80 90 40 Field Bindweed 90 Morningglory 60 90 95 Velvetleaf- - 100 100 100 Barnyardgrass 80 100 95 Green Foxtail 90 100 100 Johnsongrass 90 100 90 Yellow Nutsedge 10 - 90 *The compound number is the number of the Example in which the particular compound was prepared. TABLE 2 Postemergence Activity Compound Number* 1 2 3 5 6 Rate (kg/ha) 0.T25 0 .7625 0.7625 0.T25 0.T25 Species .c %c tc .C %C Cotton 70 80 50 80 80 Soybean 90 95 95 80 90 Field Corn ' 90 100 100 80 90 Rice 80 100 90 80 95 Wheat 80 95 50 50 95 Field Bindweed - 100 95 90 100 Morningglory 100 100 100 80 100 Velvetleaf 100 100 100 100 100 Barnyardgrass 90 100 95 80 100 Green Foxtail 95 100 100 80 100 Johnsongrass 50 100 80 30 80 Yellow Nutsedge 80 - - - - *The compound number is the number of the Example in which the particular compo'und was prepared. For herbicidal application, the active com¬ pounds as above defined are formulated into herbi¬ cidal compositions by admixture in herbicidally effective amounts with adjuvants and carriers normally employed in the art for facilitating the dispersion of active ingredients for the particular utility desired, recognizing the fact that the formulation and mode of application of a toxicant may affect the activity of the material in a given application. Thus, for agricultural use the pre¬ sent herbicidal compounds may be formulated as granules of relatively large particle size, water- soluble or water-dispersible granules, as powdery dusts, as wettable powders, as emulsifiable con¬ centrates, as solutions or as any of several other known types of formulations, depending on the desired mode of application. For preemergence application these herbicidal compositions are usually applied either as sprays, dusts, or granules to the areas in which suppres¬ sio of vegetation is desired. For posteraergence control of established plant growth, sprays or dusts are most commonly used. These formulations may contain as little as 0.5% to as much as 95% or more by weight of active ingredient. Dusts are free flowing admixtures of the active ingredient with finely divided solids such as talc, natural clays, kieselguhr, flours such as walnut shell and cottonseed flours, and other organic and inorganic solids which act as disper- sants and carriers for the toxicant; these finely divided solids have an average particle size of less than about 50 microns. A typical dust formu¬ lation useful herein is one containing 1.0 part _pf the herbicidal compound and 99.0 parts of talc. Wettable powders, also useful formulations for both pre- and postemergence herbicides, are in the form of finely divided particles which disperse readily in water or other dispersant. The wettable powder is ultimately applied to the soil either as a dry dust or as an emulsion in ' water or other liquid. Typical carriers for wettable powders include Fuller's earth, kaolin clays, silicas, and other highly absorbent, readily wet inorganic diluents. Wettable powders normally are prepared to contain about 5-80% of active ingredient, depending on the absorbency of the carrier, and usually also contain a small amount of a wetting, dispersing or emulsifying agent to facilitate dis¬ persion. For example, a useful wettable powder formulation contains 80.8 parts of the herbicidal compound, 17.9 parts of Palmetto clay, and 1.0 part of sodium lignosulfonate and 0.3 part of sulfonated aliphatic polyester as wetting agents. Frequently, additional wetting agent and/or oil will be added to the tank-mix for postemergence application to facilitate dispersion on the foliage and absorption by the plant. Other useful formulations for herbicidal applications are eraulsifiable concentrates. Emul- sifiable concentrates are homogeneous liquid or paste compositions dispersible in water or other dispersant, and may consist entirely of the herbi¬ cidal compound and a liquid or solid emulsifying agent, or may also contain a liquid carrier, such as xylene, heavy aromatic naphthas, isophorone, or other non-volatile organic solvent. For herbicidal application these concentrates are dispersed in water or other liquid carrier, and normally applied as a spray to the area to be treated. The per¬ centage by weight of the essential active ingre¬ dient may vary according to the manner in which the composition is to be applied, but in general com¬ prises 0.5 to 95% of active ingredient by weight of the herbicidal composition. Typical wetting, dispersing or emulsifying agents used in agricultural formulations include, for example, the alkyl and alkylaryl sulfonates and sulfates and their sodium salts; polyhydric alco¬ hols; and other types of surface active agents, many of which are available in commerce. The sur¬ face active agent, when used, normally comprises 1% to 15% by weight of the herbicidal composition. Other useful formulations for herbicidal applications include simple solutions of the active ingredient in a dispersant in which it is com¬ pletely soluble at the desired concentration, such as acetone, alkylated naphthalenes, xylene or other organic solvents. Granular formulations, wherein the toxicant is carried on relatively coarse parti¬ cles, are of particular utility for aerial distri¬ bution 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. Water-soluble or water-dispersible granules are also useful formulations for herbici¬ dal application of the present compounds. Such granular formulations are free-flowing, non-dusty, and readily water-soluble or water-miscible. These soluble or dispersible granular formulations ' described in U.S. patent No. 3,920,442, incor¬ porated herein by reference are useful herein with the present herbicidal compounds. The active herbicidal compounds of this inven¬ tion may be formulated and/or applied with insecti¬ cides, fungicides, nematicides, plant growth regu¬ lators, fertilizers, or other agricultural chemi¬ cals and may be used as effective soil sterilants as well as selective herbicides in agriculture. In applying an active compound of this invention, whether formulated alone or with other agricultural chemicals, an effective amount and concentration of the active compound is of course employed. The active herbicidal compounds of this inven¬ tion may be used in combination with other herbi¬ cides, e.g. they may be mixed with, say, an equal or larger amount of a known herbicide such as chloroacetanilide herbicides such as 2-chloro-N- (2,6-dieth lphenyl)-N-(methoxymethyl)acetamide (alachlor) , 2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)- N-(2-raethoxy-1-methylethyl)acetamide (metolachlor) , and N-chloroacetyl-N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)glycine (diethatyl-ethyl) ; benzothiadiazinone herbicides such as 3-(l-methylethyl)-(lH)-2,1,3-benzothia- diazin-4-(3H)-one-2,2-dioxide (bentazon); triazine herbicides such as 6-chloro-N-ethyl-N-( 1-methyl¬ ethyl)-!,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine (atrazine), and 2-4-chloro-6-(ethylamino)-l,3,5-triazin-2-ylamino- 2-methylpropanenitrile (cyanazine); dinitrol- aniline herbicides such as 2,6-dinitro-N,N-di- propyl-4-(trifluorometh 1)benzeneamine (triflura- lin); and aryl urea herbicides such as N'-(3,4-di- chlorophenyl)-N,N-dimethylurea (diurαn) and N,N-di- methyl-N' -3-(trifluoromethyDphen lurea (fluo- meturon). It is apparent that various modi ications may be made in the formulation and application of the novel compounds of this invention, without depart¬ ing from the inventive concepts herein, as-defined in the following claims.

Claims: Claims: 1. A compound of the formula in which R is a radical selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, 1-methylethyl, methoxymethyl, 2-methoxyethyl, l-methyl-2-meth- oxyethyl, 2-propenyl, 2-propynyl, and 1-methyl- 2-propynyl. 2. The compound of claim 1 in which R is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, 1-methylethyl, methoxymethyl, 2-methoxyethyl, 2-pro¬ pynyl, and l-methyl-2-propynyl. 3. The compound of claim 2 in which R is selected from the group consisting of methyl, meth¬ oxymethyl, and 2-propynyl. 4. The compound of claim 2 in which R is methyl. 5. The compound of claim 2 in which R is ethyl. 6. The compound of claim 2 in which R is 1-methylethyl. 7. The compound of claim 2 in which R is methoxymethyl. 8. The compound of claim 2 in which R is 2-methoxyethyl. 9. The compound of claim 2 in which R is 2-propynyl. 10. The compound of claim 2 in which R is 1-methyl-2-propynyl. 11. An herbicidal composition comprising an herbicidally effective amount of a compound of claim 1 in admixture with a suitable carrier. 12. A method for controlling undesired plant growth which comprises applying to the locus where control is desired an herbicidally effective amount of a composition of claim 11. 13. The method of claim 12 in which the com¬ position is applied preemergently to the locus where control is desired and said locus is planted or to be planted with cotton. 14. A compound of the formula in which R is a radical selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, 1-methylethyl, methoxymethyl, 2-raethoxyethyl, l-methyl-2-meth- oxyethyl, 2-propenyl, 2-propynyl, and 1-methyl- 2-propynyl. 15. The compound of claim 14 in which R is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, 1-methylethyl, methoxymethyl, 2-methoxyethyl, 2-pro¬ pynyl, and l-methyl-2-propynyl. 16. The compound of claim 15 in which R is selected from the group consisting of methyl, meth¬ oxymethyl, and 2-propynyl. 17. The compound of the formula 2 β - 18. A process for producing a compound of the formula in which R is a radical selected from 2-propynyl, 1-methylethyl, l-methyl-2-propynyl, methoxymethyl, 2-propenyl, and l-methyl-2-methoxyethyl, characterized by (a) reacting the compound of the formula with R-X,' in which R is as de ined above and X is * a good leaving group, in the presence of a base, or alterna¬ tively, (b) reacting a compound of the formula in which R is as defined above, with CHF 2 -X, in which X is a good leaving group, in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst and a base selected from sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. 19. The process of claim 18 characterized in that X is a chlorine, bromine, or iodine atom. 20. The process of claim 19 characterized in that in method (a) the base is an alkali metal carbonate, an alkali metal bicarbonate, or an alkali metal hydride, and in method (b) the phase transfer catalyst is a tetraalkylammonium halide and the base is sodium hydroxide. 21. The process of claim 20 characterized in that in method (a) the base is sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate and in method (b) the phase transfer catalyst is a tetrabutylammonium halide or a (triethyl)(benzyl)- ammonium halide in which halide is bromide or chloride.

Inventors: THEODORIDIS GEORGE, THEODORIDIS, GEORGE
Applicants: FMC CORP, FMC CORPORATION
Application year: 1985
Main classification: A01N43
IPC codes: A01N43, C07D249