Triazine herbicides

Abstract: Triazine herbicides of the general formula I wherein R¹ and R² each independently represent a hydrogen or halogen atom, or an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, alkenylthio, alkynylthio, arylthio or amino group, or a formyl, optionally substituted alkylcarbonyl, cyano, carboxy, optionally substituted alkoxycarbonyl, dialkylaminoxy, dialkyliminoxy or azido group; X represents an oxygen or sulphur atom or a group -SO₂-, -SO-, or -NR⁴- where R⁴ represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group; n is an integer from 1 to 4; Y represents a hydrogen atom or the or each Y each independently represents a halogen atom, a hydroxy group or an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl alkoxy, alkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, aryloxy, heterocyclyloxy, alkylthio, alkenylthio, alkynylthio, arylthio or amino group, or a formyl, optionally substituted alkylcarbonyl, cyano or nitro group, or, when n is at least 2, two groups Y may be linked to form a fused saturated or unsaturated carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; and Z represents a hydroxyalkyl, hydroxybenzyl, or mono-, di- or trialkoxyalkyl group, a group -CH=NOH, or an optionally esterified carboxyalkyl group, or a group COR³ where R³ represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, or a hydroxy group, or an optionally substituted alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, alkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, cycloalkyloxy, aryloxy, dialkylaminoxy, dialkyliminoxy, amino, alkylthio, arylthio, alkenylthio or alkynylthio group, or R³ represents a group -OR⁵ where R⁵ represents an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring; or a carboxylic acid salt of a compound of general formula I with an equivalent amount of an inorganic or organic cation, together with at least one carrier.

Description: This invention relates to triazine herbicides, their preparation and use. Herbicidal compounds comprising a 2,4,6-substituted-1,3,5-triazine ring are well known, for example from UK Patent No. 814947 which describes herbicidal compositions comprising certain 6-chloro-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamines and UK Patent No. 1132306 which describes certain 6-substituted 1,3,5-triazine 2,4-diamines, one of the amino groups having cyanoalkylamino substitution. Certain substituted phenoxy (s)triazines are disclosed in the literature, i.e. J. Inst. Chemists (India), 1976, 48(5) , 245 to 247, and J. Inst. Chemists (India), 1980, 52(1) , 7 and 8, and are shown to have antibacterial activity. We have now found a class of 2-substituted 1,3,5-triazines which exhibit useful herbicidal activity. In accordance with the present invention there is provided a herbicidal composition which comprises a compound of the general formula I wherein R¹ represents a halogen atom, a C₁₋₆alkoxy group or an amino group substituted by one or two of the same or different C₁₋₆alkyl groups; R² represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, or a C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy or C₁₋₆alkylthio group, or an aryloxy group substituted by C₁₋₆alkyl, (C₁₋₆alkoxy)carbonyl or benzyloxycarbonyl, or an amino, C₁₋₆haloalkoxy, di(C₁₋₆alkyl)iminoxy or C₁₋₆haloalkylamino group, or an amino group substituted by one or two of the same or different C₁₋₆alkyl or C₁₋₆alkoxy groups or by di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, or a morpholino group; X represents an oxygen or sulphur atom or a group -SO₂-, or -NR⁴- where R⁴ is a hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₆alkyl group; n is 1 or 2; Y represents a hydrogen atom or the or each Y each independently represents a halogen atom, a nitro, hydroxy, formyl, C₁₋₆alkyl, phenyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy, di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino or di(C₁₋₆alkoxy)triazinyloxy group, or in the case when n is 2 the two groups Y may be linked to form a fused unsaturated C₄₋₈carbocyclic ring system; Z represents a (C₁₋₆alkyl)-(C₁₋₆alkoxycarbonyl) group or a group of the formula -COR³ where R³ represents a hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy, hydroxy, C₂₋₆alkenyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, phenylthio, phenoxy, halophenoxy, or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)iminoxy group or a C₁₋₆alkoxy group substituted by a phenyl, C₁₋₄alkoxy or thienyl group, or a group of the formula or a carboxylic acid salt of a compound of general formula I with an equivalent amount of an inorganic or organic cation, together with at least one carrier. Carboxylic acid salts of the compounds of general formula I include salts with inorganic cations derived from alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and transition metals and with organic cations such as alkylammonium and alkyl sulphonium cations. When halogen is a substituent, the group is suitably substituted by 1 to 3 halogen atoms, preferably selected from fluorine and chlorine. R¹ in formula I is preferably a C₁₋₄alkoxy group, especially methoxy or ethoxy, or a di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino group, especially dimethylamino, and R² is preferably a C₁₋₄ alkyl group, especially methyl, a C₁₋₄alkoxy group, especially methoxy or ethoxy, a C₁₋₄alkylthio group, especially methylthio, an amino group substituted by one or two of the same or different C₁₋₄alkyl or C₁₋₄alkoxy groups or by a di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino group, especially mono or dimethylamino, mono or diethylamino, mono or dimethoxyamino, dimethylhydrazino or N-methoxy-N-methylamino, or a dialkyliminoxy group, especially dimethyliminoxy. X is preferably an oxygen or sulphur atom. Z preferably represents a group COR³ where R³ represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxy group, a C₁₋₄alkoxy group, preferably methoxy or ethoxy, a C₂₋₄alkenyloxy group, for example vinyloxy, a C₁₋₄alkylthio group, for example n or i -propylthio, a phen(C₁₋₄alkoxy) group, a benzyloxy group, a phenoxy group, a phenylthio group, or a di(C₁₋₄alkyl)iminoxy group, preferably dimethyliminoxy. n is preferably 1 and Y preferably represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, preferably chlorine, a C₁₋₄alkyl group, preferably methyl, a nitro group, or a di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino group. Preferred carboxylic acid salts of the compounds of general formula I include sodium salts. The compounds of general formula I may be prepared by reacting a compound of general formula II where R¹ and R² are as defined above and L represents a leaving group, preferably a halogen atom, especially chlorine, under basic conditions with a compound of general formula III where Y, X, n and Z are as defined above, followed optionally by conversion of the resulting compound of general formula I to another compound of general formula I, or by conversion of a carboxylic acid of general formula I into a salt thereof or conversion of a carboxylic acid salt of a compound of general formula I into the free acid or into another salt. The basic conditions may suitably be provided, for example, by the presence of an alkali metal, such as metallic sodium or potassium, an alkali metal hydride, such as sodium or potassium hydride, an alkaline earth metal hydride, such as calcium hydride, an alkali metal carbonate or bicarbonate, such as sodium or potassium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate, an alkali metal alkoxide, such as potassium t -butoxide, an alkali metal hydroxide, such as sodium or potassium hydroxide, or a tertiary amine, such as triethylamine, pyridine or 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene. The reaction is suitably carried out in an inert organic solvent such as a hydrocarbon solvent, eg. benzene or toluene, a chlorinated hydrocarbon, eg. dichloromethane or chloroform, an alcohol, eg. methanol or ethanol, an ether, eg. diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane, a ketone, eg. acetone or methyl ethyl ketone, an ester, eg. ethyl acetate, an aprotic polar solvent, eg. dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide or dimethylsulphoxide or a nitrile, eg. acetonitrile, or in water, with appropriate selection of the agent generating the basic conditions for the reaction. The reaction may be carried out over a wide temperature range, for example from 0°C to the refluxing temperature of the solvent employed. The amounts of reactants II and III can vary suitably within the range of 0.1 to 10 moles of II per mole of III. However substantially equivalent amounts of II and III are preferably employed. The compound of general formula I obtained by the above described method may readily be converted to a further compound of general formula I by methods known to a man skilled in the art. Thus for example, a compound of general formula I where R¹ and/or R² represents a halogen atom, suitably chlorine, may be reacted with an amine, such as dimethylamine, to displace the or each halogen to give the corresponding compound of formula I in which R¹ and/or R² represents a substituted amino group. Likewise a compound of general formula I in which R² represents a halogen atom, may be reacted with an alkylthio organo-metallic compound, for example sodium methanethiolate, to yield the corresponding compound of general formula I in which R² represents an alkylthio group such as methylthio, or may be hydrogenated to yield the corresponding compound in which R² is a hydrogen atom. Compounds of general formula I in which Z represents an ester group may be hydrolysed by methods well known in the art to yield acids of formula I. Alternatively, hydrogenation of, for example, the benzyl ester of formula I can be employed to yield acids of formula I. Compounds of general formula I in which X represents a sulphur atom may be oxidised to compounds of general formula I in which X represents a sulphonyl linkage. Similarly compounds of general formula I in which X represents a group -NH- may be alkylated to compounds of general formula I in which X represents a group -NR⁴ - wherein R⁴ is other than hydrogen. Acid and salt conversion reactions may be carried out using conventional methods as appropriate. The prepared compound of general formula I may, if desired, be isolated and purified using conventional techniques. Many of the starting triazine compounds of general formula II are known or can be prepared using techniques described in the literature. For example such compounds may be prepared from the 2,4,6-trichlorotriazine by methods such as those described by Dudley et al , J. Am. Chem. Soc., 73 , 2986, (1951), Koopman et al , Rec. Trav. Chim., 79 , 83, (1960), Hirt et al , Helv. Chim. Acta. 33 , 1365, (1950), Kobe et al , Monatshefte fur Chemie, 101 , 724, (1970) and Ross et al , US Patent No. 3 316 263. The compounds of general formula III are also either known compounds or can be prepared using techniques described in the literature, for example using the general techniques described in Annalen der Chemie, 113 , 125 (1860). The present invention also provides a compound of the general formula I wherein R¹, R², X, n, Y and Z are as defined above with the proviso that when one of R¹ and R² is dimethylamino the other of R¹ and R² is not methylamino. The preferred meanings of R¹, R², X, n, Y and Z in compounds of the present invention are those indicated above as being preferred in relation to the herbicidal compositions of the present invention. Compounds of the general formula I have been found to have interesting activity as herbicides having a wide range of pre- and post-emergence activity against undesirable species. The present invention further provides the use of a composition or a compound according to the invention as a herbicide. Further, in accordance with the invention there is provided a method of combating undesired plant growth at a locus by treating the locus with a composition or compound according to the invention. The locus may, for example, be the soil or plants in a crop area. Application to the locus may be pre-emergence or post-emergence. The dosage of active ingredient used may, for example, be from 0.01 to 10kg/ha, preferably 0.05 to 4kg/ha. A carrier in a composition according to the invention is any material with which the active ingredient is formulated to facilitate application to the locus to be treated, which may for example be a plant, seed or soil, or to facilitate storage, transport or handling. A carrier may be a solid or a liquid, including a material which is normally gaseous but which has been compressed to form a liquid, and any of the carriers normally used in formulating herbicidal compositions may be used. Preferably compositions according to the invention contain 0.5 to 95% by weight of active ingredient. Suitable solid carriers include natural and synthetic clays and silicates, for example natural silicas such as diatomaceous earths; magnesium silicates, for example talcs; magnesium aluminium silicates, for example attapulgites and vermiculites; aluminium silicates, for example kaolinites, montmorillonites and micas; calcium carbonate; calcium sulphate; ammonium sulphate; synthetic hydrated silicon oxides and synthetic calcium or aluminium silicates; elements, for example carbon and sulphur; natural and synthetic resins, for example coumarone resins, polyvinyl chloride, and styrene polymers and copolymers; solid polychlorophenols; bitumen; waxes; and solid fertilisers, for example superphosphates. Suitable liquid carriers include water; alcohols, for example isopropanol and glycols; ketones, for example acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone and cyclohexanone; ether; aromatic or araliphatic hydrocarbons, for example benzene, toluene and xylene; petroleum fractions, for example kerosine and light mineral oils; chlorinated hydrocarbons, for example carbon tetrachloride, perchloroethylene and trichloroethane. Mixtures of different liquids are often suitable. Agricultural compositions are often formulated and transported in a concentrated form which is subsequently diluted by the user before application. The presence of small amounts of a carrier which is a surface-active agent facilitates this process of dilution. Thus preferably at least one carrier in a composition according to the invention is a surface-active agent. For example, the composition may contain at least two carriers, at least one of which is a surface-active agent. A surface-active agent may be an emulsifying agent, a dispersing agent or a wetting agent; it may be nonionic or ionic. Examples of suitable surface-active agents include the sodium or calcium salts of polyacrylic acids and lignin sulphonic acids; the condensation of fatty acids or aliphatic amines or amides containing at least 12 carbon atoms in the molecule with ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide; fatty acid esters of glycerol, sorbitol, sucrose or pentaerythritol; condensates of these with ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide; condensation products of fatty alcohol or alkyl phenols, for example p -octylphenol or p -octylcresol, with ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide; sulphates or sulphonates of these condensation products; alkali or alkaline earth metal salts, preferably sodium salts, of sulphuric or sulphonic acid esters containing at least 10 carbon atoms in the molecule, for example sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium secondary alkyl sulphates, sodium salts of sulphonated castor oil, and sodium alkylaryl sulphonates such as dodecylbenzene sulphonate; and polymers of ethylene oxide and copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. The compositions of the invention may for example be formulated as wettable powders, dusts, granules, solutions, emulsifiable concentrates, emulsions, suspension concentrates and aerosols. Wettable powders usually contain 25, 50 or 75% W of active ingredient and usually contain in addition to solid inert carrier, 3-10% w of a dispersing agent and, where necessary, 0-10% w of stabiliser(s) and/or other additives such as penetrants or stickers. Dusts are usually formulated as a dust concentrate having a similar composition to that of a wettable powder but without a dispersant, and are diluted in the field with further solid carrier to give a composition usually containing 1/2-10% w of active ingredient. Granules are usually prepared to have a size between 10 and 100 BS mesh (1.676 - 0.152 mm), and may be manufactured by agglomeration or impregnation techniques. Generally, granules will contain 1/2-75% w active ingredient and 0-10% w of additives such as stabilisers, surfactants, slow release modifiers and binding agents. The so-called "dry flowable powders" consist of relatively high concentration of active ingredient. Emulsifiable concentrates usually contain, in addition to a solvent and, when necessary, co-solvent, 10-50% w/v active ingredient, 2-20% w/v emulsifiers and 0-20% w/v of other additives such as stabilisers, penetrants and corrosion inhibitors. Suspension concentrates are usually compounded so as to obtain a stable, non-sedimenting flowable product and usually contain 10-75% w active ingredient, 0.5-15% w of dispersing agents, 0.1-10% w of suspending agents such as protective colloids and thixotropic agents, 0-10% w of other additives such as defoamers, corrosion inhibitors, stabilisers, penetrants and stickers, and water or an organic liquid in which the active ingredient is substantially insoluble; certain organic solids or inorganic salts may be present dissolved in the formulation to assist in preventing sedimentation or as anti-freeze agents for water. Aqueous dispersions and emulsions, for example compositions obtained by diluting a wettable powder or a concentrate according to the invention with water, also lie within the scope of the invention. The said emulsions may be of the water-in-oil or of the oil-in-water type, and may have a thick 'mayonnaise'-like consistency. The composition of the invention may also contain other ingredients, for example other compounds possessing herbicidal, insecticidal or fungicidal properties. The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying Examples. Example 1 Methyl 2-(4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)oxy benzoate A mixture of 2-chloro-4,6-dimethoxytriazine (1.93g), methyl salicylate (1.52g) and potassium carbonate (1.79g) in dry methyl ethyl ketone (60ml) was refluxed for 4 hours. The mixture was cooled and the methyl ethyl ketone removed in vacuo . Water (100ml) was added and the product was extracted into ether. The organic phase was dried using anhydrous magnesium sulphate and evaporated to give a product which crystallised on standing to give the title compound (2.9g); mp 75.7°C. Analysis (%) Calc. C 53.6 H 4.5 N 14.4 Found C 52.8 H 4.6 N 14.5 Example 2 Methyl 2-(4-chloro-6-methoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)oxy benzoate A mixture of 2,4-dichloro-6-methoxytriazine (9.0g), methyl salicylate (7.6g) and potassium carbonate (6.93g) in methyl ethyl ketone (200ml) was refluxed for 2 to 3 hours. The solvent was removed in vacuo , water (150ml) added and the product extracted into ether. The organic phase was dried using anhydrous magnesium sulphate and evaporated to give a product (12g) which, after recrystallisation from hexane - ethyl acetate, gave the title compound; mp 97.5°C. Analysis (%) Calc. C 48.7 H 3.4 N 14.2 Found C 49.0 H 3.6 N 14.2 Example 3 Methyl 2-(4-dimethylamino-6-methoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)oxy benzoate Excess dimethylamine (about 2ml) was added to a stirred solution of methyl 2-(4-chloro-6-methoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)oxy benzoate (3.0g)(prepared as described in Example 2) in acetone (50ml) at 0°C. A white precipitate formed. Stirring was continued for 1 hour, after which the solvent was evaporated and the resulting mixture partitioned between water and ether. The organic phase was dried using anhydrous magnesium sulphate and evaporated in vacuo . Flash chromatography (eluant hexane/ethyl acetate 70:30) was used to yield the title compound (1.36g) as an oil. Analysis (%) Calc. C 55.3 H 5.3 N 18.4 Found C 55.1 H 5.4 N 17.6 Example 4 Methyl 2-(4-methoxy-6-methylthio-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)oxy benzoate Sodium methanethiolate (0.7g) was added to a stirred solution of methyl 2-(4-chloro-6-methoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)oxy benzoate (prepared as described in Example 2) (3.0g) in methyl ethyl ketone (50 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred and heated under reflux for 1 hour. After cooling the mixture was poured into water, extracted with dichloromethane, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulphate and chromatographed on silica gel, using as eluants dichloromethane followed by 5% ethyl acetate/dichloromethane to yield the title compound (1.4g) m.p. 83.5°C. Analysis (%) Calc. C 50.8 H 4.3 N 13.7 Found C 51.2 H 4.4 N 13.6 The following further compounds of general formula I set out in Table 1 below were made using similar methods to those described in Examples 1 to 4 above. Example 59 2-(4,6-Dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)oxy benzoic acid The phenyl ester of Example 14 (1.77g) was added to a stirred solution of sodium hydroxide in a 1:1 mixture of tetrahydrofuran and water (50ml) at pH 9 to 10. After stirring overnight, the mixture was poured into water (300ml) and neutralised with dilute hydrochloric acid. The product was extracted into ether (3 x 100ml) and the combined organic phase dried using anhydrous magnesium sulphate and evaporated to yield the title compound (0.2g), which after recrystallisation from ethyl acetate/hexane had mp 151.6°C. Analysis (%) Calc. C 52.0 H 4.0 N 15.2 Found C 51.9 H 4.0 N 14.4 Example 60 Methyl 2-(4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl) sulphonyl benzoate A solution of m-chloroperbenzoic acid (1.73g) in dichloromethane (20ml) was added to a stirred solution of the sulphide compound of Example 18 (1.54g) in dichloromethane (30ml) at 0°C. The reaction was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 1 hour and then refluxed for 16 hours. Water (50ml) was added and the aqueous phase extracted with dichloromethane. After washing and drying of the organic phase (using anhydrous magnesium sulphate) and evaporation in vacuo there was obtained the title compound (1.05g), m.p. 143.6°C. Analysis (%) Calc. C 46.0 H 3.8 N 12.4 Found C 46.1 H 3.9 N 12.3 Example 61 Methyl N-methyl[2-(4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)]amino benzoate The aminotriazine of Example 19 (1.45g) in dry dimethyl formamide (30ml) was treated with potassium t-butoxide (0.78g). Methyl iodide (1.42g) was added to the stirred mixture. After stirring for 2 hours, water (100ml) was added and the products extracted into ether. The organic phase was washed with water, dried, using anhydrous magnesium sulphate, evaporated in vacuo, and flash chromatographed to give the title compound (0.93g) mp. 88.3°C. Analysis (%) Calc. C 55.3 H 5.3 N 18.4 Found C 55.3 H 5.0 N 18.4 Example 62 S-n-Propyl 2-(4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)oxy thiobenzoate To a stirred suspension of the acid of Example 61 (2.77g) in dry dichloromethane (50ml), were added 4-dimethylaminopyridine (100mg) and 1-propanethiol (3ml). 2.3g of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide were added to the reaction mixture and stirring was continued for 2 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture was filtered and the filtrate subjected to evaporation. The residue was taken up in ether and the mixture filtered to remove further insoluble material. The ether solution was washed twice with 0.5N HCl and with a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution. After drying over magnesium sulphate and evaporation 1.4g of the title compound was obtained. mp: 59.5°C Analysis (%) Calc. C 53.7 H 5.1 N 12.5 Found C 53.6 H 5.2 N 12.7 Example 63 Sodium 2-(4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)oxy benzoate The acid of Example 61 (1.5g) was added to a stirred solution of sodium bicarbonate (0.43g) in water (50ml). Stirring was continued and the mixture heated to 50°C for 1 hour. After cooling to room temperature, the insoluble material that had formed was filtered off and the solution evaporated to dryness. 1.45g of the title compound was obtained. mp: 188°C Analysis (%) Calc. C 48.2 H 3.4 N 14.0 Found C 47.4 H 3.3 N 13.3 Example 64 2-(6-methoxy-4-dimethylamino-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)oxy benzoic acid The compound of Example 34 (4.45g) was taken up in ethanol and palladium/charcoal powder added. The ester was reduced by hydrogenation at room temperature and pressure. The catalyst was filtered off and the solvent removed to yield a white crystalline product. After recrystallisation, 2.2g of the title compound was obtained. mp: 148.5-149°C Analysis (%) Calc. C 53.8 H 4.8 N 19.3 Found C 54.5 H 5.0 N 19.7 Example 65 Methyl 2-(6-methoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)oxy benzoate The methyl benzoate of Example 2 (2.96g) was dissolved in ethylacetate and triethylamine and 5% by weight palladium on charcoal was added. The mixture was then subject to hydrogenation for 2 hours at room temperature and pressure. After removal of the catalyst and solvent, 0.56g of the title compound was obtained as an oil Analysis (%) Calc. C 55.2 H 4.2 N 16.1 Found C 54.9 H 4.2 N 15.9 The following further compounds of general formula I set out in Table 2 below were made using similar methods to those described in Examples 64 and 66 above. Example 71 Herbicidal Activity To evaluate their herbicidal activity, compounds according to the invention were tested using as representative range of plants: maize, Zea mays (Mz); rice, Oryza sativa (R); barnyard grass, Echinochloa crusgalli (BG); oat, Avena sativa (O); linseed, Linum usitatissimum (L); mustard, Sinapsis alba (M); sugar beet, Beta vulgaris (SB) and soya bean, Glycine max (S). The tests fall into two categories, pre-emergence and post-emergence. The pre-emergence tests involved spraying a liquid formulation of the compound onto the soil in which the seeds of the plant species mentioned above had recently been sown. The post-emergence tests involved two types of test, viz., soil drench and foliar spray tests. In the soil drench tests the soil in which the seedling plants of the above species were growing was drenched with a liquid formulation containing a compound of the invention, and in the foliar spray tests the seedling plants were sprayed with such a formulation. The soil used in the tests was a prepared horticultural loam. The formulations used in the tests were prepared from solutions of the test compounds in acetone containing 0.4% by weight of an alkylphenol/ethylene oxide condensate available under the trade mark TRITON X-155. These acetone solutions were diluted with water and the resulting formulations applied at dosage levels corresponding to 5 kg or 1 kg of active material per hectare in a volume equivalent to 600 litres per hectare in the soil spray and foliar spray test, and at a dosage of level equivalent to 10 kilograms of active material per hectare in a volume equivalent to approximately 3,000 litres per hectare in the soil drench tests. In the pre-emergence tests untreated sown soil and in the post-emergence test untreated soil bearing seedling plants were used as controls. The herbicidal effects of the test compounds were assessed visually twelve days after spraying the foliage and soil, and thirteen days after drenching the soil and were recorded on a 0-9 scale. A rating 0 indicates growth as untreated control, a rating 9 indicates death. An increase of 1 unit on the linear scale approximates to a 10% increase in the level of effect. The results of the tests are set out in the following Table 3 in which the compounds are identified by reference to the preceding examples. Absence of a numerical value in the Table indicates that 0 rating was obtained and * indicates that no result was obtained.

Claims: Claims for the following Contracting States : AT, BE, CH, DE, FR, GB, GR, IT, LI, LU, NL, SE A herbicidal composition which comprises a compound of the general formula I wherein R¹ represents a halogen atom, a C₁₋₆alkoxy group or an amino group substituted by one or two of the same or different C₁₋₆alkyl groups; R² represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, or a C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy or C₁₋₆alkylthio group, or an aryloxy group substituted by C₁₋₆alkyl, (C₁₋₆alkoxy)carbonyl or benzyloxycarbonyl, or an amino, C₁₋₆haloalkoxy, di(C₁₋₆alkyl)iminoxy or C₁₋₆haloalkylamino group, or an amino group substituted by one or two of the same or different C₁₋₆alkyl or C₁₋₆alkoxy groups or by di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, or a morpholino group; X represents an oxygen or sulphur atom or a group -SO₂-, or -NR⁴- where R⁴ is a hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₆alkyl group; n is 1 or 2; Y represents a hydrogen atom or the or each Y each independently represents a halogen atom, a nitro, hydroxy, formyl, C₁₋₆alkyl, phenyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy, di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino or di(C₁₋₆alkoxy)triazinyloxy group, or in the case when n is 2 the two groups Y may be linked to form a fused unsaturated C₄₋₈carbocyclic ring system; Z represents a (C₁₋₆alkyl)-(C₁₋₆alkoxycarbonyl) group or a group of the formula -COR³ where R³ represents a hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy, hydroxy, C₂₋₆alkenyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, phenylthio, phenoxy, halophenoxy, or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)iminoxy group or a C₁₋₆alkoxy group substituted by a phenyl, C₁₋₄alkoxy or thienyl group, or a group of the formula or a carboxylic acid salt of a compound of general formula I with an equivalent amount of an inorganic or organic cation, together with at least one carrier. A composition according to claim 1, wherein R¹ represents a C₁₋₄alkoxy or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino group, and R² represents a C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkoxy or C₁₋₄alkylthio group, or an amino group substituted by one or two of the same or different C₁₋₄alkyl or C₁₋₄alkoxy groups or by a di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino group, or represents a di(C₁₋₄alkyl)iminoxy group. A composition according to claim 1 or 2 wherein X represents an oxygen or sulphur atom. A composition according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein Z represents a group COR³ in which R³ represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxy, C₁₋₄alkoxy, C₂₋₄alkenyloxy, C₁₋₄alkylthio, phen(C₁₋₄)alkoxy, phenoxy, phenylthio or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)iminoxy group. A composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein n is 1 and Y represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, or a C₁₋₄alkyl, nitro or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino group. A composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the compound of the general formula I is in the form of a carboxylic acid salt. A process for the preparation of a compound of general formula I, as defined in any one of the preceding claims, comprising reacting a compound of general formula II where R¹ and R² are as defined in claim 1 and L represents a leaving group, under basic conditions with a compound of general formula III where Y, X, n and Z are as defined in claim 1, and, if desired, converting one compound of the general formula I into another compound of the general formula I, or converting a carboxylic acid of the general formula I into a salt thereof or converting a carboxylic acid salt of a compound of the general formula I into the acid form or into another salt. A compound of the general formula I as defined in claim 1, wherein R¹, R², X, n, Y and Z have the meanings given in claim 1 with the proviso that when one of R¹ and R² is dimethylamino the other of R¹ and R² is not methylamino. The use of a composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 or of a compound as claimed in claim 8, in combating undesired plant growth. A method of combating undesired plant growth at a locus by treating the locus with a composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 or a compound as claimed in claim 8. Claims for the following Contracting State : ES A process for the preparation of a compound of general formula I wherein R¹ represents a halogen atom, a C₁₋₆alkoxy group or an amino group substituted by one or two of the same or different C₁₋₆alkyl groups; R² represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, or a C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy or C₁₋₆alkylthio group, or an aryloxy group substituted by C₁₋₆alkyl (C₁₋₆alkoxy)carbonyl or benzyloxycarbonyl, or an amino, C₁₋₆haloalkoxy, di(C₁₋₆alkyl)iminoxy or C₁₋₆haloalkylamino group, or an amino group substituted by one or two of the same or different C₁₋₆alkyl or C₁₋₆alkoxy groups or by di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, or a morpholino group; X represents an oxygen or sulphur atom or a group -SO₂-, or -NR⁴- where R⁴ is a hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₆alkyl group; n is 1 or 2; Y represents a hydrogen atom or the or each Y each independently represents a halogen atom, a nitro, hydroxy, formyl C₁₋₆alkyl, phenyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy, di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino or di(C₁₋₆alkoxy)triazinyloxy group, or in the case when n is 2 the two groups Y may be linked to form a fused unsaturated C₄₋₈carbocyclic ring system; Z represents a (C₁₋₆alkyl)-(C₁₋₆alkoxycarbonyl) group or a group of the formula -COR³ where R³ represents a hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy, hydroxy, C₂₋₆alkenyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, phenylthio, phenoxy, halophenoxy, or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)iminoxy group or a C₁₋₆alkoxy group substituted by a phenyl, C₁₋₄alkoxy or thienyl group, or a group of the formula or a carboxylic acid salt of a compound of general formula I with an equivalent amount of an inorganic or organic cation, comprising reacting a compound of general formula II where R¹ and R² are as defined hereinabove and L represents a leaving group, under basic conditions with a compound of general formula III where Y, X, n and Z are as defined hereinabove, and, if desired, converting one compound of the general formula I into another compound of the general formula I, or converting a carboxylic acid of the general formula I into a salt thereof or converting a carboxylic acid salt of a compound of the general formula I into the acid form or into another salt. A process according to claim 1, wherein R¹ represents a C₁₋₄alkoxy or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino group, and R² represents a C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkoxy or C₁₋₄alkylthio group, or an amino group substituted by one or two of the same or different C₁₋₄alkyl or C₁₋₄alkoxy groups or by a di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino group, or represents a di(C₁₋₄alkyl)iminoxy group. A process according to claim 1 or 2 wherein X represents an oxygen or sulphur atom. A process according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein Z represents a group COR³ in which R³ represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxy, C₁₋₄alkoxy, C₂₋₄ alkenyloxy, C₁₋₄alkylthio, phen(C₁₋₄)alkoxy, phenoxy, phenylthio or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)iminoxy group. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein n is 1 and Y represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, or a C₁₋₄alkyl, nitro or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino group. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the compound of the general formula I is in the form of a carboxylic acid salt.

Inventors: MCARTHUR ALASTAIR, NEWTON TREVOR WILLIAM, MCARTHUR, ALASTAIR, NEWTON, TREVOR WILLIAM
Applicants: SHELL INT RESEARCH, SHELL INTERNATIONALE RESEARCH MAATSCHAPPIJ B.V.
Application year: 1989
Main classification: A01N43
IPC codes: A01N43, A01P13, C07D251, C07D409