Alkoxymethyl benzoic acid

Abstract: An alkoxymethylbenzoic acid represented by the formula (IV): wherein R represents an alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms which is substituted by fluorine atom(s).

Description: The present invention relates to alkoxymethyl benzoic acids which may be used as intermediates in the synthesis of derivatives of 1,5-diphenyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide described and claimed in our EP-A-0,297,734 from which the present application is divided which may be utilized as an active ingredient of herbicidal compositions, and a process for producing the same. Rice plant, wheat, corn, etc. are important crops and the use of herbicide is indispensable for contriving the increased yield of these crops by protecting the crops from the damage due to weed plants. That the derivatives of 1,5-diphenyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide have the herbicidal function has been hitherto described in JP-A-57-193406 (1982), 58-185572 (1983) and 59-98004 (1984). For instance, JP-A-57-193406 (1982) (corresponding to US-A-4,492,597 and EP-A-0070089) discloses a herbicidal composition containing as an active ingredient a derivative of 1,2,4-triazole represented by the formula: wherein R₁ is a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, an iodine atom, a lower alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, an alkyl group substituted with a fluorine atom, a nitro group or a methoxy group; R₂ is a hydrogen atom, a chlorine atom or a methyl group; and R₃ is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group. In JP-A-59-98004 (1984), disclosed is a herbicidal composition containing a derivative of 1,2,4-triazole represented by the formula: wherein R₁ and R₂ represent independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group or a halogenoalkyl group; R₃ is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or an alkyl group; and R₄ is a cyano group, carbamoyl group, thiocarbamoyl group, N-alkylcarbamoyl group, N-halogenoalkylcarbamoyl group, N-methoxyalkylcarbamoyl group, N-alkenylcarbamoyl group, N-halogenoalkenylcarbamoyl group, N-acylcarbamoyl group, N-halogenoacylcarbamoyl group or N-methylthiocarbamoylcarbamoyl group. Also, JP-A-58-185572 (1983) discloses a derivative of 1,2,4-triazole represented by the formula: wherein R¹ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; m represents 0, 1 or 2; R² represents an alkyl group, an alkoxyl group, a nitro group or a halogen atom; and n represents 1 or 2. Certain 1-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-triazoles in which the phenyl group may be substituted are disclosed in EP-A-0189300. Further, herbicides containing derivatives of 1,2,4-triazole have been proposed also in the following patent specifications: GB-A-2,120,665 discloses a herbicidal composition comprising a derivative of 1,2,4-triazole represented by the general formula: wherein R¹ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a (C₁-C₂) alkyl group; R² represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a (C1 - C₂) alkyl group, a halogeno (C₁-C₂) alkyl group, a methoxy group, a cyano group, a methoxymethyl group, a methylthio group, a methoxycarbonyl group or an isopropoxycarbonyl group; and R³ represents a thioamide group or a group represented by the general formula: wherein R⁴ represents a hydrogen atom, a (C₁ - C₂) alkyl group or a hydroxy (C₁ - C₂) alkyl group and R⁵ represents a hydrogen atom, a (C₁ - C₂) alkyl group, a halogeno (C₁ - C₂) alkyl group, a hydroxy (C₁ - C₂) alkyl group, a cyanomethyl group, an acetyl group, a halogenoacetyl group, a methoxyacetyl group, an amino group, a phenyl group, a methoxy group, a hydroxyl group, a (C₂ - C₃) alkenyl group, a halogeno (C₂ - C₃) alkenyl group, an isopropylcarbonyl group, a methylthiocarbonyl group or a 2-methoxyethyl group and a herbicidally acceptable carrier or diluent thereof. EP-A-0,220,956 discloses a herbicidal composition comprising a 1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide compound represented by the formula: wherein R represents a straight-chain or branched-chain saturated (C₂ - C₁₀) alkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by fluorine atom(s); a cyclic saturated (C₃ - C₁₀) alkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by fluorine atom(s); a straight-chain, branched-chain or cyclic unsaturated (C₃ - C₁₀) alkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by fluorine atom(s); a group represented by the formula: wherein R¹ represents a halogen atom, a (C₁ - C₃)alkyl group, a (C₁-C₃)alkoxy group or a fluorine-substituted (C₁-C₃)alkyl group, m is 0 or an integer of from 1 to 5 and n is 0 or 1; a straight-chain or branched-chain saturated (C₁- C₈)alkoxy-(C₂-C₁₀)alkyl group; a straight-chain or branched-chain unsaturated (C₁-C₈) alkoxy (C₂-c₁₀)alkyl group; a phenoxy-(C₂-C₆)alkyl group; an aralkoxy(C₂-C₆)alkyl group; a phenoxy-(C₂-C₆)alkyl group having phenyl group(s) substituted by halogen atom(s) or (C₁-C₃)alkyl group(s); an aralkoxy(C₂-C₆)-alkyl group having phenyl group(s) substituted by halogen atom(s) or (C₁-C₃)alkyl group(s); a [(C₁-C₈)alkoxy(C₂-C₁₀)-alkoxy](C₂-C₁₀)alkyl group; or a group represented by the formula: wherein p is an integer of from 1 to 8, and a herbicidally acceptable carrier or adjuvant. In EP-A-0282669 proposed is a herbicidal composition comprising a herbicidally effective amount of a derivative of 1,5-diphenyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide represented by the following formula as an active ingredient: wherein R¹ represents a straight-chain alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms; a branched-chain alkyl group or cycloalkyl group of 3 to 10 carbon atoms; a (cycloalkyl)alkyl group of 4 to 10 carbon atoms; an unsubstituted or halogen-substituted phenyl group; an aralkyl group of 7 to 9 carbon atoms; an alkenyl group of 3 to 6 carbon atoms or an alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms, which has been substituted by 1 to 19 fluorine atoms, and R² represents a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a methyl group or a methoxy group, and a herbicidally acceptable carrier or adjuvant. In EPC Application No. 88302090.1 filed March 10, 1988 (now EP-A-0282303; corresponding to Japanese Patent Application No. 62-54579 (1987) filed March 10, 1987 and No. 62-153031(1987) filed June 19, 1987), proposed is a herbicidal composition comprising as an active ingredient a herbicidally effective amount of a derivative of 1,5-diphenyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide represented by the following formula: wherein R is a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, which is an unsubstituted or substituted with 1 to 19 fluorine atoms; a branched alkyl group having 3 to 10 carbon atoms, which is an unsubstituted or substituted with 1 to 19 fluorine atoms; a cyclic alkyl group having 3 to 10 carbon atoms; an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms which is substituted with an alicyclic structure having 3 to 7 carbon atoms; a phenyl group or an aralkyl group having 7 to 9 carbon atoms; X¹ is a halogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; X² is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; Y¹ is a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom; and y² is a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom, and herbicidally acceptable carrier or adjuvant. The development of a compound possessing excellent selectively, so that the compound shows an excellent herbicidal activity only with respect to weeds without injuring useful crops such as rice plant, wheat, corn, etc., is strongly demanded. It has now been found that 1,5-diphenyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamides of the following formula (I) exhibit excellent herbicidal activity. The said carboxamides and processes for their manufacture are the subject of our EP-A-0,297,734 from which the present applications is divided. wherein R is an alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms, which is substituted by fluorine atom(s), and X represents a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom, The compound represented by the formula (I) is different from the compounds described in the aforementioned patents and patent applications in that the compound represented by the formula (I) has the group of -CH₂OR (wherein R represents the same meaning as above) at the 3-position of the phenyl group at the 5-position of 1,5-diphenyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide, and the compounds represented by the formula (I) are therefore novel compounds. It is thus possible to provide a derivative of 1,5-diphenyl-1H-1, 2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide which has selective herbicidal activity in which the derivative shows an excellent herbicidal function with respect to the gramineous weeds and broad-leaved plants, particularly to the broad-leaved plants, and on the other hand does not show any phytotoxicity to crops such as rice plants, wheat, corn, etc. According to the present invention there is provided an alkoxymethylbenzoic acid represented by the formula (IV): wherein R represents an alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms which is substituted by fluorine atom(s). The alkoxymethylbenzoic acid may serve as an intermediary in the production of the herbicidal compound of formula I. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a process for producing an alkoxymethylbenzoic acid of formula (IV) which process comprises (i) reacting not less than one equivalent of RO⁻A⁺, where A represents a sodium or potassium atom and R is as defined above, with 3-(chloromethyl)benzoyl chloride represented by the formula (III): in an aprotic organic solvent, thereby obtaining an alkoxymethylbenzoate represented by the formula (IV'): wherein R is as defined above; (ii) hydrolyzing the thus obtained alkoxymethyl-benzoate of formula (IV'). In the formula (IV), R represents an alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably an alkyl group of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, which is substituted by fluorine atom(s), preferably by 3 to 12 fluorine atoms. Typically R is -CH₂CF₂CHF₂,-CH₂CF₂CF₃, -CH₂CF₂CHFCF₃ or -CH₂CF₂CF₂CF₃. Compounds represented by the formula (I) which may be derived from the alkoxymethylbenzoic acid of the present invention and the physicochemical properties thereof are exemplified in Table 1. In our EP-A-0,297,734 from which the present application is divided there is disclosed and claimed a process for producing a derivative of 1,5-diphenyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide represented by the formula (I) which process comprises reacting ammonia with a derivative of 2-phenyl-4-phenylhydrazono-2-oxazolin-5-one represented by the formula (II): wherein R represents an alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms, which is substituted by fluorine atom(s) and X represents a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom, in an organic solvent at a temperature of -10 to 150°C; acidifying the thus formed reaction mixture, for example by adding hydrochloric acid or acetic acid; and reacting the thus treated reaction mixture at a temperature of 0 to 150°C. EP-A-0,297,734 further describes and claims a process for producing a derivative of 2-phenyl-4-phenylhydrazono-2-oxazolin-5-one represented by the formula (II) which process comprises i) reacting an alkoxymethylbenzoic acid according to the present invention represented by the formula (IV) with thionyl chloride, thereby obtaining an alkoxymethylbenzoyl chloride represented by the formula (IV''): wherein R represents an alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms, which is substituted by fluorine atom(s); ii) reacting the thus obtained alkoxymethylbenzoyl chloride represented by the formula (IV'') with glycine in the presence of an inorganic base at a temperature of -10 to 15°C in water or a mixed solvent of an aprotic solvent and water, thereby obtaining an alkoxymethylhippuric acid represented by the formula (V): wherein R represents an alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms, which is substituted by fluorine atom(s); (iii) reacting the thus obtained alkoxymethylhippuric acid represented by the formula (V) with acetic anhydride, thereby obtaining a derivative of 2-phenyl-2-oxazolin-5-one represented by the formula (VI): wherein R represents an alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms, which is substituted by fluorine atom(s); and (iv) reacting the thus obtained derivative of 2-phenyl-2-oxazolin-5-one represented by the formula (VI) at a temperature of not higher than 60°C with a diazonium salt represented by the following formula: wherein X represents a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom, thereby obtaining said derivative of 2-phenyl-4-phenylhydrazono-2-oxazolin-5-one. The diazonium salt may be obtained by reacting an aniline derivative represented by the following formula: wherein X represents a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom with sodium nitrite. In the formula (I) as in formula (IV), R represents an alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably an alkyl group of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, which is substituted by fluorine atom(s), preferably by 3 to 12 fluorine atoms. Typically in formula (I) R is -CH₂CF₂CHF₂, -CH₂CF₂CF₃, -CH₂CF₂CHFCF₃ or - CH₂CF₂CF₂CF₃ and X is a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom at the 2-position of the benzene ring to which it is attached. Preferably R is -CH₂CF₂CF₂CF₃ and X is a hydrogen atom. Compounds represented by the formula (I) which may be derived from the alkoxymethylbenzoic acid of the present invention and the physicochemical properties thereof are exemplified in Table 1. No. of compound Substituent Melting point (°C) Nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum (60MHz, d₆-DMSO, δ, ppm) R X 1 -CH₂CF₂CHF₂ H 170-172 3.82(2H,tt,14Hz,2Hz),4.54(2H,s), 6.37(1H,tt,52Hz,6Hz),7.15-8.0(11H,m) 2 -CH₂CF₂CHF₂ 2-F 119-121 3.85(2H,tt,14Hz,2Hz),4.57(2H,s), 6.40(1H,tt,52Hz,6Hz),7.15-8.1(10H,m) 3 -CH₂CF₂CF₃ H 156-158 3.80(2H,tq,15Hz,2Hz),4.60(2H,s), 6.85(1H,bs),7.0-8.0(10H,m) 4 -CH₂CF₂CHFCF₃ H 131-133 3.50-4.13(2H,m),4.57(2H,s),4.57(1H,d) 6-plet,50Hz,6Hz),7.1-8.0(11H,m) 5 -CH₂CF₂CF₂CF₃ H 150-152 4.13(2H,tt,14Hz,2Hz),4.67(2H,s), 7.0-8.1(11H,m) Since every compound represented by the formula (I) has the selective herbicidal activity, it can be utilized as an active ingredient of the herbicidal composition broadly used in paddy-fields and dry-field farming. Of these compounds, those of Nos. 1 to 5 are favorable and in particular, the compound No. 5 is preferable. The compound represented by the formula (I) can be produced, for instance, by the process shown by the following reaction scheme (A): Namely, in the case of reacting ammonia with a derivative of 2-phenyl-4-phenylhydrazono-2-oxazolin-5-one represented by the formula (II) in an organic solvent, for instance, acetone, toluene, etc. for 0.1 to 20 hours at a temperature of -10 to 150°C, then making the reaction mixture acidic by adding an acid such as hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, etc. and stirring the thus treated reaction mixture for 0.1 to 20 hours at a temperature of 0 to 150°C, thereby bringing the thus formed intermediate into dehydration and ring-closure, the compound represented by the formula (I) is obtained in a favorable yield (R and X in the formulae (I) and (II) represent the same as above). The compound represented by the formula (II) can be synthesized, for instance, by synthesising and further processing the alkoxymethylbenzoic acid of the present invention by the process shown by the following reaction scheme (B): Namely, in the case of reacting 3-(chloromethyl)benzoyl chloride (III) with not less than one equivalent of RO ⊖ A ⊕ (wherein A represents a sodium atom or a potassium atom and R represents an alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms, which is substituted by fluorine atom(s)), in an aprotic, organic solvent for 0.1 to 30 hours at a temperature of -10 to 100°C, an alkoxymethylbenzoate represented by the formula (IV') is obtained. [wherein R represents an alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms, which is substituted by fluorine atom(s)] In the case of hydrolyzing the thus obtained ester at a temperature of 0 to 100°C without subjecting the ester to a specified purification, an alkoxymethylbenzoic according to the present invention represented by the formula (IV) is obtained. [wherein R represents an alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms, which is substituted by fluorine atom(s)] By reacting the benzoyl chloride obtained by reacting the alkoxymethylbenzoic acid (IV) with thionyl chloride at a temperature of 0 to 100°C, with glycine in the presence of an inorganic base such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, etc. in water or a mixed solvent of an aprotic, organic solvent and water at a temperature of -10 to 15°C, preferably -5 to 5°C, an alkoxymethylhippuric acid represented by the formula (V): [wherein R represents an alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms, which is substituted by fluorine atom(s)] is obtained. By reacting the thus obtained alkoxymethylhippuric acid (V) with acetic anhydride at a temperature of 30 to 100°C, a derivative of 2-phenyl-2-oxazolin-5-one represented by the formula (VI) is synthesized. [wherein R represents an alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms, which is substituted by fluorine atom(s)] On the other hand, by reacting a diazonium salt obtained by reacting an aniline represented by the following formula: (wherein X represents a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom) with sodium nitrite in the presence of hydrochloric acid at a temperature of -20 to 10°C, with the derivative of 2-phenyl-2-oxazolin-5-one (VI) at a temperature of not higher than 60°C, preferably -30 to 10°C, the derivative of 2-phenyl-4-phenyl-hydrazono-2-oxazolin-5-one represented by the formula (II) is obtained in a favorable yield. Alkoxymethylbenzoic acid represented by the formula (IV): wherein R represents an alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms which is substituted by fluorine atom(s), which is an intermediate of the derivative of 1,5-diphenyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide represented by the formula (I) obtained by the above mentioned method is the novel compound of the present invention. The derivatives of 1,5-diphenyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxyamide that may be synthesized from the alkoxymethylbenzoic acid of the present invention can be used singly or as a composition such as wettable powder, emulsifiable concentrate, granule, dust, etc. in combination of a carrier (diluent) and/or an adjuvant, which has been hitherto used for the preparation of agricultural chemicals. The concentration of the derivatives of 1,5-diphenyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide in the above-mentioned composition is preferably from 0.1 to 50 % by weight. The derivative of 1,5-diphenyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide and the herbicidal composition containing the derivative represented by the formula (I) as an active ingredient are applied on the soil of paddy field, farm land and/or foliage of plants so that the amount of application of the derivative represented by the formula (I) becomes preferably from 0.1 to 500 g/10 acre. The derivative of 1,5-diphenyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide represented by the formula (I) is a compound excellent in selectivity while showing an excellent herbicidal activity to wither and kill only the weeds without injuring the crops such as rice plant, wheat, corn, etc. The present invention is explained in more detail in the following synthetic Example 1 and use of the product of the present invention is explained in the following reference examples. SYNTHETIC EXAMPLE 1 : Synthesis of 3-[(2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluorobutoxy)methyl]-benzoic acid (the compound in which R of the formula (IV) represents -CH₂CF₂CF₂CF₃). Into a mixture of 15 ml of hexamethylphosphoroamide and 15 ml of tetrahydrofuran, 17.6 g (0.088 mol) of 2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluorobutanol were dissolved, and 3.52 g (0.088 mol) of 60 % NaH were added to the thus formed mixture little by little while stirring at room temperature. Into the thus obtained solution, 5.68 ml (0.040 mol) of 3-(chloromethyl)benzoyl chloride (III) were dropped at room temperature, and the thus formed mixture was stirred for 2.5 hours. Then, the reaction mixture was poured into 200 ml of iced water, and the organic matter in the mixture was extracted with ether. The solvent was distilled off from the organic layer, and 2 g of NaOH, 20 ml of water and 30 ml of ethanol were added to the residue. The thus formed mixture was heated for 2.5 hours under a reflux condenser to hydrolyze the thus formed ester. Ethanol was distilled off from the reaction mixture, and the residue was diluted with 70 ml of water and was washed with ether. The aqueous alkaline layer was made acidic by adding a diluted hydrochloric acid and the thus separated oily matter was extracted with ether. The organic layer was washed with water and then a saturated aqueous saline solution, and the thus washed layer was dried on Na₂SO . / 4. By distilling ether from the thus dried ether solution, the objective product of 5.7 g was obtained as a white solid (yield : 42.7 %). The melting point of the white solid was 53 - 55°C. The nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of the thus obtained product was as follows (in CDCl₃,δ, ppm): 3.89(2H, tt, 14 Hz, 2 Hz); 4.62 (2H, s); 7.23∼7.60(2H, m); 7.8∼8.1(3H, m) and 10.53(1H, bs). SYNTHETIC EXAMPLE 2 : REFERENCE EXAMPLE Synthesis of N-[3-[(2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluorobutoxy)-methyl]benzoyl]glycine(the compound in which R of the formula(V) represents -CH₂CF₂CF₂CF₃). Into a mixture of 4 ml of SOCl₂ and 10 ml of benzene, 2.00 g (6.0 mmol) of the derivative of benzoic acid obtained in Synthetic Example 1, were added, and the thus obtained mixture was heated for 2 hours under a reflux condenser. After distilling an excess of SOCl₂ and benzene completely from the mixture, the residue was dissolved in 4 ml of acetonitrile. Separately, into 12 ml of water, 0.55 g (7.3 mmol) of glycine and 0.42 g (7.5 mmol) of KOH were dissolved, and 3 ml of acetonitrile were added to the thus obtained solution. After cooling the thus prepared mixture in an iced water bath, the thus prepared solution of acid chloride in acetonitrile and 4 ml of a separately prepared aqueous solution of 0.4 g (7.1 mmol) of KOH were added to the thus cooled solution within 3 minutes, and the thus formed mixture was stirried for 1.5 hours at room temperature. After distilling acetonitrile off from the mixture, the residue was diluted with water, and was made acidic by adding a diluted hydrochloric acid. The educed pale-yellow matter was collected by filtration, washed with water and dried to obtain 2.04 g of the objective product of melting point of 84∼88°C (yield : 87 %). The nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of the thus obtained product was as follows (in d₆-DMSO, δ, ppm): 3.94(2H, d, 6 Hz); 4.21(2H, tt, 14 Hz, 2 Hz); 4.73(2H, s); 7.0∼8.1(4H, m) and 8.79(1H, t, 6 Hz). The infrared absorption spectrum of the thus obtained product was as follows (in KBr, cm⁻¹): νNH, OH; 3500∼2800 and νCO; 1760∼1750. SYNTHETIC EXAMPLE 3 : REFERENCE EXAMPLE Synthesis of 2-[3-[(2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluorobutoxy)-methyl]phenyl]-4-phenylhydrazono-2-oxazolin-5-one (the compound in which R of the formula (II) represents -CH₂CF₂CF₂CF₃ and X of the formula (II) represents H). Into 6 ml of acetic anhydride, 2.00 g (5.1 mmol) of the derivative of glycine obtained in Synthetic Example 2, were added and the thus formed mixture was stirred for 10 minutes at a temperature of 60°C to obtain a transparent solution of the azlactone (VI). On the other hand, into a mixture of 8 ml of acetic acid and 0.9 ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid, 0.47 g (5.1 mmol) of aniline was dissolved while cooling with iced water. A solution prepared by dissolving 0.36 g (5.2 mmol) of sodium nitrite in 1 ml of water was dropped into the thus obtained aniline solution at 0 to 3°C, and the resultant mixture was stirred for 5 minutes to prepare a solution of an anilinediazonium salt. Into the aforementioned azlactone solution, 0.82 g of anhydrous sodium acetate was added and after dispersing the sodium acetate well, the solution of the diazonium salt was dropped into the resultant dispersion. The thus formed mixture was stirred further for 2 hours while cooling with iced water. Into the thus cooled mixture, water was added to educe a yellow matter, and the yellow matter was collected by filtration. By drying the thus collected yellow matter, 1.80 g of the objective product of a melting point of 138∼141°C were obtained (yield : 84 %). The nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of the thus obtained product was as follows (in d₆-DMSO, δ, ppm): 4.25(2H, tt, 15 Hz, 2 Hz); 4.67(2H, s); 7.0∼8.4(9H, m) and 11.62(1H, s). The infrared absorption spectrum of the thus obtained product was as follows (in KBr, cm⁻¹): νNH; 3250 and νCO; 1790. EXAMPLE 1 : REFERENCE EXAMPLE Synthesis of 5-[3-[(2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluorobutoxy)-methyl]phenyl]-1-phenyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide (compound No. 5). Into 10 ml of acetone, 1.6 g (3.3 mmol) of the derivative of hydrazone, obtained in Synthetic Example 3, were dispersed, and 0.4 ml(6.0 mmol) of concentrated ammonia was added to the thus formed dispersion at room temperature. The thus formed mixture was stirred for 30 minutes. Thereafter, 0.4 ml (4.6 mmol) of concentrated hydrochloric acid was added to the resultant mixture to make the mixture acidic, and the thus acidified mixture was stirred for 30 minutes at 50°C. After distilling acetone off from the mixture, the residue was extracted with ethyl acetate, and the organic layer was washed with water, a saturated aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate and a saturated aqueous solution of sodium chloride in order. By distilling the solvent off from the thus washed organic layer, crude crystals of brown in colour were obtained. By recrystallizing the crude crystals from toluene, 1.10 g of the objective product of melting point of 150∼152°C were obtained (yield of 69 %). The infrared absorption spectrum of the thus obtained product was as follows (in KBr, cm⁻¹): νNH; 3470 and νCO; 1700. EXAMPLE 2 (Preparation of a wettable powder) : REFERENCE EXAMPLE 50 parts by weight of Compound No. 4, 5 parts by weight of a salt of ligninsulfonic acid, 3 parts by weight of a salt of alkylsulfonic acid and 42 parts by weight of diatomaceous earth were mixed and pulverized to prepare a wettable powder. The thus prepared wettable powder is used after diluting with water. EXAMPLE 3 (Preparation of an emulsion) : REFERENCE EXAMPLE 25 parts by weight of Compound No. 3, 65 parts by weight of xylene and 10 parts by weight of polyoxyethylene alkylaryl ether were uniformly mixed together to prepare an emulsifiable concentrate. The thus prepared emulsion is used after diluting with water. EXAMPLE 4 (Preparation of a granule) : REFERENCE EXAMPLE 8 parts by weight of Compound No. 5, 40 parts by weight of bentonite, 45 parts by weight of clay and 7 parts by weight of a ligninsulfonate were uniformly mixed together and the mixture was kneaded after adding water thereto. The thus kneaded mixture was processed into a granular form by an extruding granulator and was dried to obtain a granule. In the next place, Test Examples are shown in order to show the selectively herbicidal activity of the compound according to the present invention as follows. TEST EXAMPLE 1 : REFERENCE EXAMPLE Effect of the compound to the weeds in dry farm land (soil treatment before germination) . After sowing a predetermined amount of the seeds of various test plants on the soil filled in a planter (65 x 210 x 220 mm) and made to be a state of dry farm land, and covering the thus sown seeds with the soil, the wettable powder was diluted with water to a predetermined concentration and the thus formed dilution was applied uniformly on the surface of the soil by a spray gun so that the applied amount of the active ingredient becomes 100 g/10 are of the surface area of the soil. Thereafter, the thus treated seeds were grown in a green-house under control. The herbicidal effects to each weed plant and the phytotoxicity to each crop plant of the active ingredient were observed after 21 days of the treatment, and the results were evaluated according to the following standards. The thus evaluated results are shown in Table 2. Standards for evaluation: 0 No herbicidal effect 1 Herbicidal effect of below 30 % 2 Herbicidal effect of 31 to 50 % 3 Herbicidal effect of 51 to 70 % 4 Herbicidal effect of 71 to 90 % 5 Herbicidal effect of 91 to 100 % Phytotoxicity: - : without any phytotoxicity ± : slight phytotoxicity + : moderate phytotoxicity ++ : strong phytotoxicity +++ : severe phytotoxicity TEST EXAMPLE 2 : REFERENCE EXAMPLE Effect of the compound to the weeds in dry farm land (soil treatment after germination) . Following the same steps as in Test Example 1, the seeds of various plants were sown, and at the time when each plant attained to one-two leaf stage, the wettable powder was diluted with water to a predetermined concentration, and the thus formed dilution was applied uniformly onto the foliage of each plant and the surface of the soil so that the applied amount of the active ingredient becomes 100 g/10 are of the surface area of the soil. The results were evaluated as in Test Example 1 after 21 days of the treatment and are shown in Table 3. TEST EXAMPLE 3 : REFERENCE EXAMPLE Effect of the compound to the weeds in paddy field and phytotoxicity to rice plant in paddy field Into a Wagner pot of 1/2000 are, to which a soil of the paddy field had been filled, water was introduced to maintain the soil in the pot at a paddy state. Onto the surface of the soil of the pot, seeds of Echinochloa crus-galli var. crus-galli , Scirpus juncoides subsp. hotarui , Alisma pygmaea , Monochoria vaginalis and Cyperus difformis were sown and into the soil in the pot, tubers of Sagittaria canaliculatum and Cyperus serotinus were planted. Furthermore, after transplanting 2 seedlings of rice plant (variety: SASANISHIKI) at two leaf-stage into the soil in the pot, the pot was kept in a green-house for 3 days. Thereafter, the dilution of the emulsion prepared as in Example 3 was uniformly applied on the surface of water in the pot so that the amount of the active ingredient becomes 100 g/10 are of the surface area of water in the pot. The herbicidal effect and the phytotoxicity to the rice seedlings of the active ingredient were investigated following the same standards as in Test Example 1 after 21 day of the treatment. The results are shown in Table 4.

Claims: An alkoxymethylbenzoic acid represented by the formula (IV) : wherein R represents an alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms which is substituted by fluorine atom(s). An alkoxymethylbenzoic acid according to claim 1, wherein R is -CH₂CF₂CHF₂, -CH₂CF₂CF₃, -CH₂CF₂CHFCF₃ or -CH₂CF₂CF₂CF₃. An alkoxymethylbenzoic acid according to claim 2, wherein R is -CH₂CF₂CF₂CF₃. A process for producing an alkoxymethylbenzoic acid of formula (IV) as defined in claim 1, which process comprises. (i) reacting not less than one equivalent of RO⁻A⁺, wherein A represents a sodium or potassium atom and R is as defined in claim 1, with 3-(chloromethyl)benzoyl chloride represented by the formula (III): in an aprotic organic solvent, thereby obtaining an alkoxymethylbenzoate represented by the formula (IV'): wherein R is as defined above; (ii) hydrolyzing the thus obtained alkoxymethylbenzoate of formula (IV').

Inventors: ARABORI HIDEO, SHIDA TAKAFUMI, SHINKAWA HIROYASU, WATANABE TAKEO, YAMAZAKI SHIRO, ARABORI, HIDEO, SHIDA, TAKAFUMI, SHINKAWA, HIROYASU, WATANABE, TAKEO, YAMAZAKI, SHIRO
Applicants: KUREHA CHEMICAL IND CO LTD, KUREHA KAGAKU KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1988
Main classification: C07C65
IPC codes: C07C65