Pyrimidine derivatives, their production and use

Abstract: A pyrimidine derivative useful as a herbicide is represented by the formula wherein each of R¹ and R², which may be the same or different, represents a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkenyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkynyl group, a halo C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxy C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkenyloxy C,-C₆ alkyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkynyloxy C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkenyloxycarbonyl C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkynyloxycarbonyl C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a cyano C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a group represented by the formula, (in which each of R⁵ and R⁶, which may be the same or different, represents a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkenyl group or a C₃-C₆ alkynyl group, and n represents an integer of 1, 2, 3, or 4), a group represented by the formula, (in which n is as defined above, R⁷ represents a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkenyl group or a C₃-C₆ alkynyl group, and m represents an integer of 0, 1 or 2), a cyclo C₃-C₈ alkyl group, or an optionally substituted phenyl group, an optionally substituted benzyl group, or R¹ and R², bonded together at their ends, form an optionally substituted C₄-C₇ alkylene group or an optionally substituted C₃-C₆ alkylene group containing hetero atom; the hetero atom in R¹ and R² means a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; each of R³ and R⁴, which may be the same or different, represents a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxy group, a halo C₁-C₆ alkoxy group or a halogen atom; X represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; Z represents N or CY⁴; each of Y¹, Y², Y³, which may be the same or different, represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, or a C₁-C₆ alkoxy group; and Y⁴ represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a mercapto group, a nitro group, a halogen atom, a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₂-C₆ alkenyl group, a C₂-C₆ alkynyl group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxy group, a C₃-C₆ alkenyloxy group, a C₃-C₆ alkynyloxy group, a halo C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a halo C₂-C₆ alkenyl group, a halo C₂-C₆ alkynyl group, a halo C₁-C₆ alkoxy group, a halo C₃-C₆ alkenyloxy group, a halo C₃-C₆ alkynyloxy group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxy C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkenyloxy C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkynyloxy C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a cyano group, a formyl group, a carboxyl group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkenyloxycarbonyl group, a alkynyloxycarbonyl group; an optionally substituted phenyl group, an optionally substituted phenoxy group, an optionally substituted phenylthio group, an optionally substituted benzyloxy group, an optionally substituted benzylthio group, a group represented by the formula, (in which R⁵ and R⁶ are as defined above), a group represented by the formula, (in which R⁵ and R⁶ are as defined above), (in which R⁷ and m are as defined above), a group represented by the formula, -X--R⁷ (in which R⁷ and X are as defined above), or a group represented by the formula, (in which R⁷, m and n are as defined above), each optionally substituted group in the above being substituted with a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxy group, a halo C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl group or a halogen atom.

Description: The present invention relates to a novel pyrimidine derivative, a method for producing it, its use as a herbicide and an intermediate product. EP-A-0223406, EP-A-0249708, and EP-A-0249707, etc. disclose pyrimidine derivatives for use as active ingredients for herbicides. However, these compounds are not always said to be satisfactory because they are insufficient in herbicidal activity. On the other hand, a large number of herbicides for crop lands or non-crop lands are now in use. However, there are many kinds of weed to be controlled and generation of the weeds extends over a long period of time, so that development of herbicides having a higher herbicidal effect and a broader herbicidal spectrum is desired. Further, in recent years, no-till cultivation is carried out for the purposes of saving in labor, extension of cultivation period, prevention of soil running-off, etc. Because of this, it is much desired to develop herbicides having both a high post-emergence herbicidal activity against weeds and a pre-emergence herbicidal activity excellent in residual effect, as well as having excellent selectivity of crops when crops are cultivated after application of herbicides. In view of this, we have conducted extensive studies, and as a result, have found that a pyrimidine derivative represented by the following formula (I) is a compound having excellent herbicidal activity, having few foregoing defects and some of them having excellent selectivity between crops and weeds. That is the said pyrimidine derivative is a compound which can control weeds widely generated in crop lands or non-crop lands at low dosage rate, has a broad herbicidal spectrum and also can safely be used for no-till cultivation. The present invention is based on this finding. The present invention provides a pyrimidine derivative represented by the formula (I) [hereinafter referred to as present compound(s)], a method for producing it, its use as herbicides and an intermediate of the same: wherein each of R¹ and R², which may be the same or different, represents a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkenyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkynyl group, a halo C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxy C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkenyloxy C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkynyloxy C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkenyloxycarbonyl C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkynyloxycarbonyl C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a cyano C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a group represented by the formula, (in which each of R⁵ and R⁶, which may be the same or different, represents a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkenyl group or a C₃-C₆ alkynyl group, and n represents an integer of 1, 2, 3, or 4), a group represented by the formula, (in which n is as defined above, R⁷ represents a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkenyl group or a C₃-C₆ alkynyl group, and m represents an integer of 0, 1 or 2), a cyclo C₃-C₈ alkyl group, or an optionally substituted phenyl group, an optionally substituted benzyl group, or R¹ and R², bonded together at their ends, form an optionally substituted C₄-C₇ alkylene group or an optionally substituted C₃-C₆ alkylene group containing hetero atom; the hetero atom in R¹ and R² means a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; each of R³ and R⁴, which may be the same or different, represents a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxy group, a halo C₁-C₆ alkoxy group or a halogen atom; X represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; Z represents N or CY⁴; each of Y¹, Y², Y³, which may be the same or different, represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, or a C₁-C₆ alkoxy group; and Y⁴ represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a mercapto group, a nitro group, a halogen atom, a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₂-C₆ alkenyl group, a C₂-C₆ alkynyl group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxy group, a C₃-C₆ alkenyloxy group, a C₃-C₆ alkynyloxy group, a halo C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a halo C₂-C₆ alkenyl group, a halo C₂-C₆ alkynyl group, a halo C₁-C₆ alkoxy group, a halo C₃-C₆ alkenyloxy group, a halo C₃-C₆ alkynyloxy group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxy C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkenyloxy C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkynyloxy C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a cyano group, a formyl group, a carboxyl group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkenyloxycarbonyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkynyloxycarbonyl group; an optionally substituted phenyl group, an optionally substituted phenoxy group, an optionally substituted phenylthio group, an optionally substituted benzyloxy group, an optionally substituted benzylthio group, a group represented by the formula, (in which R⁵ and R⁶ are as defined above), a group represented by the formula, (in which R⁵ and R⁶ are as defined above), (in which R⁷ and m are as defined above), a group represented by the formula, (in which R⁷ and X are as defined above), or a group represented by the formula, (in which R⁷, m and n are as defined above), each optionally substituted group in the above being substituted with a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxy group, a halo C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl group or a halogen atom. In the compound of the formula (I), the substituents R³ and R⁴, which may be the same or different, are preferably a C₁-C₆ alkoxy group, and more preferably, both of them are a methoxy group. X is preferably an oxygen atom. Z is preferably N or CY⁵ [in which Y⁵ represents a hydrogen atom, a halo C₁-C₆ alkyl group, or a halogen atom]. More preferably Z is CY⁵ and Y⁵ is a halo C₁-C₆ alkyl group or a halogen atom, and more preferably Y⁵ is a halogen atom. Y¹, Y² and Y³ are preferably a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom. Specific examples of the pyrimidine derivative of the present invention include 4,6-dimethoxy-2-{2-(N,N-dimethylaminooxycarbonyl)phenoxy}pyrimidine, 4,6-dimethoxy-2-{3-chloro-2-(N,N-dimethylaminooxycarbonyl)phenoxy}pyrimidine, 4,6-dimethoxy-2-{3-fluoro-2-(N,N-dimethylaminooxycarbonyl)phenoxy}pyrimidine, 3-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)oxy-2-(N,N-dimethylaminooxycarbonyl)pyridine, 4,6-dimethoxy-2-{3-trifluoromethyl-2-(N,N-dimethylaminooxycarbonyl)phenoxy}pyrimidine, 4,6-dimethoxy-2-{3-chloro-2-(1-piperidyloxycarbonyl)phenoxy}pyrimidine, 4,6-dimethoxy-2-{3-chloro-2-(N-tert-butylaminooxycarbonyl)phenoxy}pyrimidine. A method for producing the present compound is as follows. The present compound (I) can be produced by reacting a phenol derivative represented by the formula (II), [wherein R¹, R² X, Y¹, Y², Y³ and Z are as defined above], with a pyrimidine derivative represented by the formula (III), [wherein R³ and R⁴ are each as defined above and W represents a halogen atom or a group represented by the formula, (in which R⁸ represents a C₁-C₆ alkyl group or an benzyl group which is optionally substituted with C₁-C₆ alkyl group, C₁-C₆ alkoxy group, a halogen atom or a nitro group, and m represents an integer of 0, 1 or 2). This reaction is usually carried out with or without a solvent in the presence of a base. The reaction temperature ranges from room temperature to the boiling point of the solvent, and the reaction time ranges from 10 minutes to 24 hours. Referring to the amounts of the reagents used for this reaction, the amount of the pyrimidine derivative (III) is 1.0 to 1.5 equivalents based on 1 equivalent of the phenol derivative (II), and that of the base is 1.0 to 5.0 equivalents based on the same. The solvent includes aliphatic hydrocarbons (e.g. hexane, heptane, ligroin, petroleum ether), aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g. benzene, toluene, xylene), halogenated hydrocarbons (e.g. chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, dichloroethane, chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene), ethers (e.g. diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether), ketones (e.g. acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, isophorone, cyclohexanone), alcohols (e.g. methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, tert-butanol, octanol, cyclohexanol, methyl cellosolve, diethylene glycol, glycerin), esters (e.g. ethyl formate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate), nitro compounds (e.g. nitroethane, nitrobenzene), nitriles (e.g. acetonitrile, isobutyronitrile), tertiary amines (e.g. pyridine, triethylamine, N,N-diethylaniline, tributylamine, N-methylmorpholine), acid amides (e.g. formamide, N,N-dimethylformamide, acetamide), sulfur compounds (e.g. dimethyl sulfoxide, sulfolane), liquid ammonia, water and mixtures thereof. The base includes organic bases (e.g. pyridine, triethylamine, N,N-diethylaniline), inorganic bases (e.g. sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium hydride), alkali metal alkoxides (e.g. sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide), etc. After completion of the reaction, the reaction solution may be after-treated as usual. That is, water is added to the solution which is then extracted with an organic solvent and concentrated, and if necessary, the product obtained is subjected to chromatography, distillation, recrystallization, etc. Thus, the desired present compound can be obtained. The pyrimidine derivative represented by the formula (III) can be produced according to Japanese Patent Application Kokai No. 63-23870, J. Org. Chem., 26 , 792 (1961), etc. The present compound can also be produced by reacting [reaction (i)] a pyrimidine derivative represented by the formula (IV), [wherein R³, R⁴, X, Y¹, Y², Y³ and Z are as defined above], with an acid-halogenating agent or an active esterifying agent, and subsequently reacting [reaction (ii)] the resulting reaction product with a hydroxylamine derivative represented by the formula (V), (wherein R¹ and R² are as defined above). In the above reaction (i), the acid-halogenating agent includes thionyl chloride, thionyl bromide, phosphorus trichloride, phosphorus tribromide, phosphorus pentachloride, phosphorus oxychloride, phosgene, oxalic acid dichloride, etc. The active esterifying agent includes N,N′-disubstituted carbodiimides such as N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, N,N′-diisopropylcarbodiimide, 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride, etc.; arylsulfonyl chlorides such as 2,4,6-trimethylbenzenesulfonyl chloride, 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzenesulfonyl chloride, etc.; N,N′-carbonyldiimidazole; diphenylphosphorylazide; N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline; N-ethyl-2′-hydroxybenzisoxazolium trifluoroborate; N-ethyl-5-phenylisoxazolium-3′-sulfonate; etc. By this reaction, a pyrimidine derivative represented by the formula (VI), wherein R³, R⁴, X, Y¹, Y², Y³ and Z are as defined above, is produced in the reaction system. In the above formula (VI), a substituent W² represents a halogen atom when the acid-halogenating agent was used; W² represents an N,N′-disubstituted-2-isoureide group when N,N′-disubstituted carbodiimide was used as the active esterifying agent; W² represents an arylsulfonyloxy group when arylsulfonyl chloride was used as said agent; W² represents an imidazolyl group when N,N′-carbonyldiimidazole was used as said agent; W² represents an azide group when diphenylphosphorylazide was used as said agent; W² represents an ethoxycarbonyloxy group when N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline was used as said agent; W² represents a 3-(N-ethylaminocarbonyl)-2-hydroxyphenoxy group when N-ethyl-2′-hydroxybenzisoxazolium trifluoroborate was used as said agent; and W² represents a group when N-ethyl-5-phenylisoxazolium-3′-sulfonate was used as said agent. In the reaction system, W² can also take a form of acid anhydride represented by the formula, (wherein R³, R⁴, X, Y¹, Y², Y³ and Z are as defined above). The amount of the foregoing acid-halogenating agent or active esterifying agent used is usually 1 to 10 equivalents based on 1 equivalent of the pyrimidine derivative represented by the formula (IV). The amount of the hydroxylamine derivative of the formula (V) used is usually 1 to 5 equivalents based on 1 equivalent of the pyrimidine derivative represented by the formula (IV). The reactions (i) and (ii) can also be carried out, if necessary, in the presence of a base. Such a base includes organic bases (e.g. 1-methylimidazole, 3-nitro-1H-1,2,4-triazole, 1H-tetrazole, 1H-1,2,4-triazole, imidazole, pyridine, triethylamine) and inorganic bases (e.g. potassium carbonate). The amount of the base used is 1 to 20 equivalents based on 1 equivalent of the pyrimidine derivative represented by the formula (IV). The reactions (i) and (ii) are usually carried out in the presence of an inert solvent. Such a solvent includes aliphatic hydrocarbons (e.g. hexane, heptane, ligroin, petroleum ether), aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g. benzene, toluene, xylene), halogenated hydrocarbons (e.g. chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, dichloroethane, chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene), ethers (e.g. diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether), ketones (e.g. acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, isophorone, cyclohexanone), esters (e.g. ethyl formate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate), nitro compounds (e.g. nitroethane, nitrobenzene), nitriles (e.g. acetonitrile, isobutyronitrile), tertiary amines (e.g. pyridine, triethylamine, N,N-diethylaniline, tributylamine, N-methylmorpholine), acid amides (e.g. N,N-dimethylformamide), sulfur compounds (e.g. dimethyl sulfoxide, sulfolane) and mixtures thereof. Generally, the reaction temperature ranges from 0°C to the boiling point of the solvent in any of the reactions (i) and (ii). The reaction time can range from 1 to 24 hours for each reaction, and from about 1 to about 48 hours through the reactions (i) and (ii). After completion of the reaction, the reaction solution may be after-treated as usual. That is, water is added to the solution which is then extracted with an organic solvent and concentrated, and if necessary, the product obtained is subjected to chromatography, distillation, recrystallization, etc. Thus, the desired present compound can be obtained. The pyrimidine derivative represented by the formula (IV) can be produced according to Japanese Patent Application Kokai No. 62-174059, etc. Table 1 illustrates examples of the compound (I) which can be produced by the above procedures. In producing the present compounds, when the phenol derivative (a starting compound of compound (I)), represented by the formula (II) is other than those in which Y⁴ is a group, (in which R⁶ is as defined above) or a group, (in which R⁶ is as defined above), said phenol derivative can be produced by reacting an aromatic carboxylic acid halide derivative represented by the following formula (VII) with the hydroxylamine derivative represented by the formula (V) in the presence of a dehydrohalogenating agent and then hydrolyzing the resulting compound with a base (e.g. sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide) or an acid (e.g. hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid) to remove the group, wherein X, Y¹, Y² and Y³ are as defined above, W³ represents a halogen atom, R⁹ represents a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, and Z represents CY 4' wherein Y 4' represents a hydrogen atom, a nitro group, a halogen atom, a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₂-C₆ alkenyl group, a C₂-C₆ alkynyl group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxy group, a C₃-C₆ alkenyloxy group, a C₃-C₆ alkynyloxy group, a halo C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a halo C₂-C₆ alkenyl group, a halo C₂-C₆ alkynyl group, a halo C₁-C₆ alkoxy group, a halo C₃-C₆ alkenyloxy group, a halo C₃-C₆ alkynyloxy group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxy C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkenyloxy C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkynyloxy C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a cyano group, a formyl group, a carboxyl group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkenyloxycarbonyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkynyloxycarbonyl group; a phenyl, phenoxy, phenylthio, benzyloxy or benzylthio group which is optionally substituted with a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxy group, a halo C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl group or a halogen atom; or a group represented by the formula, (in which each of R 5' and R 6' , which may be the same or different, represents a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkenyl group or a C₃-C₆ alkynyl group), a group represented by the formula (in which R 5' and R 6' are as defined above), a group represented by the formula, (in which R⁷ and m are as defined above), a group represented by the formula, (in which R⁷ and X are as defined above, a group represented by the formula, (in which R⁷, m and n are as defined above), or a group represented by the formula, (in which R⁹ and X are as defined as defined above). The dehydrohalogenating agent includes pyridine, triethylamine, N,N-diethylaniline, etc. After completion of the reaction, the reaction solution may be after-treated as usual. That is, water is added to the solution which is then extracted with an organic solvent and concentrated, and if necessary, the product obtained is subjected to chromatography, distillation, recrystallization, etc. Thus, the phenol derivative (II) can be obtained. The phenol derivative represented by the formula (II) can also be produced by reacting [reaction (iii)] an aromatic carboxylic acid derivative represented by the formula (VIII), (wherein X, Y¹, Y², Y³ and Z are as defined above), with an acid-halogenating agent or an active esterifying agent, and subsequently reacting [reaction (iv)] the resulting reaction product with the hydroxylamine derivative represented by the formula (V). The above reactions (iii) and (iv) are carried out according to the foregoing reactions (i) and (ii), respectively. The aromatic carboxylic acid halide derivative (VII) can be produced according to Beilstein H10/p.86, EI10/p.43, EII10/p.55, EIII10/p.151, EIV10/p.169, etc. The aromatic carboxylic acid derivative (VIII) can be produced according to J. Org. Chem., 27 , 3551 (1962), Chem. Pharm. Bull., 31 , 407 (1983), Yakugaku Zasshi, 99 , 657 (1979), Chem. Pharm. Bull., 27 , 1468 (1979), J. Med. Chem., 21 , 1093 (1978), Yakugaku Zasshi, 92 , 1386 (1972), Eur. J. Med. Chem-Chim. Ther., 21 , 379 (1986), J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 1, 2069 (1979), J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 1, 2079 (1979), J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun., 1127 (1968), J. Med. Chem., 31 , 1039 (1988), Indian J. Chem., 25B , 796 (1986), J. Am. Chem. Soc., 107 , 4593 (1985), J. Org. Chem., 50 , 718 (1985), J. Agric. Food Chem., 32 , 747 (1984), J. Pharm. Pharmacol., 35 , 718 (1983), J. Org. Chem., 48 , 1935 (1983), J. Chem. Soc., Chem. commun., 1974, 362, etc. The hydroxylamine derivatives [V] can be produced according to Beilstein H/P.533, E II/p. 952, E III/p. 1713, E IV/p. 3299, Chem. Ber., 35 , 703 (1902), Chem. Ber., 33 , 3387 (1900), Chem. Ber., 34 , 738 (1901), Chem. Ber., 62 , 2458 (1929), J. Am. Chem. Soc., 76 , 2984 (1954), J. Org. Chem., 25 , 621 (1960), Chem. Ber., 56 , 1856 (1923), Chem. Ber., 58 , 2430 (1925), J. Org. Chem., 28 , 265 (1963), Org. Synth. Coll. Vol. III, p. 668, Chem. Ber., 36 , 2700 (1903), Chem. Ber., 42 , 2306 (1909), J. Am. Chem. Soc., 83 , 1374 (1961), Chem. Ber., 71 , 2247 (1938), Chem. Ber., 41 , 1936 (1908), Synth. Commun., 19 , 3509 (1989), J. Org. Chem., 55 , 1981 (1990), Synthesis, 1977, 856, Org. Synth. Coll. Vol. IV, p. 612. Table 2 illustrates examples of the compound (II) which can be produced by the above procedures. Compound (I) and Compound (II) includes their stereo isomers having herbicidal activity. The present compound (I) has an excellent herbicidal activity and some of them have excellent selectivity between crops and weeds. That is, the present compound, when used for foliar treatment and soil treatment in upland fields, exhibits a herbicidal activity against various weeds in question. Also, the present compound (I), when used for flooding treatment in paddy fields, exhibits a herbicidal activity against various weeds in question. The present compound (I) can control a wide range of weeds generated in crop lands or non-crop lands, can be applied in low dosage rates, has a broad herbicidal spectrum and also can safely be used in soybean fields, peanut fields, corn fields, etc, where cultivation does not involve tilling. As weeds which can be controlled by the present compound, there are mentioned for example broad-leaved weeds such as wild buckwheat ( Polygonum convolvulus ), pale smartweed ( Polygonum lapathifolium ), common purslane ( Portulaca oleracea ), chickweed ( Stellaria media ), common lambsquarters ( Chenopodium album ), redroot pigweed ( Amaranthus retroflexus ), radish ( Raphanus sativus ), wild mustard ( Sinapis arvensis ), shepherds purse ( Capsella bursa-pastoris ), hemp sesbania ( sesbania exaltata ), sicklepod ( Cassia obtusifolia ), velvetleaf ( Abutilon theophrasti ), prickly sida ( Sida spinosa ), field pansy ( Viola arvensis ), cleavers ( Galium aparine ), ivyleaf morningglory ( Ipomoea hederacea ), tall morningglory ( Ipomoea purpurea ), field bindweed ( Convolvulus arvensis ), red deadnettle ( Lamium purpureum ), henbit ( Lamium amplexicaure ), jimsonweed ( Datura stramonium ), black nightshade ( Solanum nigrum ), birdseye speedwell ( Veronica persica ), cocklebur ( Xanthium strumarium ), sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ), scentless chamomile ( Matricaria perforata ), corn marigold ( Chrysanthemum segetum ), etc.; Gramineae weeds such as Japanese millet ( Echinochloa frumentacea ), barnyardgrass ( Echinochloa crus-galli ), green foxtail ( Setaria viridis ), large crabgrass ( Digitaria sanguinalis ), annual bluegrass ( Poa annua ), blackgrass ( Alopecurus myosuroides ), oat ( Avena sativa ), wild oat ( Avena fatua ), johnsongrass ( Sorghum halepense ), quackgrass ( Agropyron repens ), downy brome ( Bromus tectorum ), bermudagrass ( Cynodon dactylon ), etc.; Commelinaceae weeds such as dayflower ( Commelina communis ), etc.; and Cyperaceae weeds such as rice flatsedge ( Cyperus iria ), purple nutsedge ( Cyperus rotundus ), etc. In addition, the present compounds are not phytotoxic in a manner which would present a problem on application to widely used crops such as corn, wheat, barley, rice, soybean, cotton, beet, etc. In flooding treatment in paddy fields, the present compounds exhibit a herbicidal activity against gramineous weeds such as barnyardgrass ( Echinochloa oryzicola ), etc.; broad-leaved weeds such as false pimpernel ( Lindernia procumbens ), indian toothcup ( Rotala indica ), waterwort ( Elatine triandra ), Ammannia multiflora , etc.; Cyperaceae weeds such as smallflower umbrellaplant ( Cyperus difformis ), bulrush ( Scirpus juncoides ), slender spikerush ( Eleocharis acicularis ), water nutgrass ( Cyperus serotinus ), etc.; monochoria ( Monochoria vaginalis ), arrowhead ( Sagittaria pygmaea ), etc. When the present compound (I) is used as an active ingredient for herbicides, it is usually formulated before use into emulsifiable concentrates, wettable powders, suspension formulations, granules, water-dispersible granules, etc. by mixing with solid carriers, liquid carriers, surface active agents or other auxiliaries for formulation. The content of the compound (I) as an active ingredient in these preparations may be any amount sufficient to be effective and is normally within a range of about 0.001 to 90% by weight, preferably of about 0.003 to 80% by weight. Examples of the solid carriers are fine powders or granules of kaolin clay, attapulgite clay, bentonite, terra alba, pyrophyllite, talc, diatomaceous earth, calcite, walnut shell powders, urea, ammonium sulfate and synthetic hydrated silicon dioxide, etc. Examples of the liquid carriers are aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g. xylene, methylnaphthalene), alcohols (e.g. isopropanol, ethylene glycol, cellosolve), ketones (e.g. acetone, cyclohexanone, isophorone), vegetable oils (soybean oil, cotton seed oil), dimethyl sulfoxide, N,N-dimethylformamide, acetonitrile water, etc. Examples of the surface active agents used for emulsification, dispersion or spreading, etc. are anionic surface active agents such as salts of alkyl sulfates, alkylsulfonates, alkylarylsulfonates, dialkyl sulfosuccinates, salts of polyoxyethylene alkylaryl ether phosphoric acid esters, etc., and nonionic surface active agents such as polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkylaryl ethers, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block copolymers, sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, etc. Examples of other auxiliaries for formulation are lignosulfonates, alginates, polyvinyl alcohol, gun arabic, CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose), PAP (isopropyl acid phosphate), etc. The present compound (I) is usually formulated and used in soil treatment, foliar treatment or flooding treatment before or after emergence of weeds. The soil treatment includes soil surface treatment, soil incorporation treatment, etc. The foliar treatment includes, in addition to treatment of plants from above, directed treatment in which treatment is limited to weeds only so as not to adhere to crops. Build-up of the herbicidal activity of the present compound (I) can be expected by using them in mixture with other herbicides. Further, the present compound (I) can also be used in mixture with insecticides, acaricides, nematocides, fungicides, plant growth regulators, fertilizers, soil improvers, etc. The present compound (I) can be used as an active ingredient for herbicides used in paddy fields, ridges of paddy fields, plowed fields, non-plowed fields, orchards, pastures, turfs, forests and non-agricultural fields, etc. When the present compound (I) is used as an active ingredient for herbicides, their dosage rate varies with weather conditions, preparation forms, when, how and where the treatment is carried out, weeds species to be controlled, crops species to be protected, etc. Usually, however, the dosage rate is from 0.003 grams to 100 grams of the active ingredient per are, preferably from 0.01 grams to 50 grams of the active gredient per are. The herbicidal composition of the invention formulated in the form of an emulsifiable concentrate, a wettable powder or a suspension formulations may ordinarily be employed by diluting it with water at a volume of about 1 to 10 liters per are (if necessary, auxiliaries such as a spreading agent are added to the water). The granules are usually applied as they are without being diluted. The spreading agent includes, in addition to the foregoing surface active agents, substances such as polyoxyethylene resin acids (esters), lignosulfonates, abietates, dinaphthylmethanedisulfonates, paraffin, etc. The present invention will be illustrated in more detail with reference to the following production examples, formulation examples and test examples. First, production examples for the present compound (I) are shown. Production example 1 0.55 Gram of 2-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)oxybenzoic acid was dissolved in 3 ml of dry tetrahydrofuran, and 0.35 g of N,N'-carbonyldiimidazole was added. After stirring at room temperature for 20 minutes, a methylene chloride solution of N,N-dimethylhydroxylamine prepared from 0.39 g of N,N-dimethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride and 0.44 g of triethylamine was added, and stirring was carried out at room temperature for 12 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into a 1N hydrochloric acid, and the resulting mixed solution was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was separated, washed twice with a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure, and the residue obtained was subjected to column chromatography on silica gel to obtain 0.50 g of 4,6-dimethoxy-2-{2-(N,N-dimethylaminooxycarbonyl)phenoxy}pyrimidine [present compound (1)]. Melting point: 71.0 - 72.5°C ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 2.62 (s, 6H) 3.75 (s, 6H) 5.70 (s, 1H), 6.09-8.01 (m, 4H) IR (nujol): 1750, 1614 cm⁻¹ Production example 2 0.55 Gram of 2-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)oxybenzoic acid was dissolved in 5 ml of dry tetrahydrofuran, and 0.35 g of N,N′-carbonyldiimidazole was added. After stirring at room temperature for 20 minutes, 0.20 g of N-hydroxypiperidine was added, and stirring was carried out at room temperature for 12 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into a 1N hydrochloric acid, and the resulting mixed solution was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was separated, washed twice with a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure, and the residue obtained was subjected to column chromatography on silica gel to obtain 0.54 g of 4,6-dimethoxy-2-{2-(1-piperidyloxycarbonyl)phenoxy}pyrimidine [present compound (2)]. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 1.0-3.5 (m, 10H), 3.74 (s, 6H) 5.69 (s, 1H), 7.07-8.00 (m, 4H) IR (neat): 2952, 1748, 1604 cm⁻¹ Production example 3 0.55 Gram of 2-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)oxybenzoic acid was dissolved in 3 ml of dry tetrahydrofuran. To the resulting solution was added a methylene chloride solution of N-tert-butylhydroxylamine prepared from 0.50 g of N-tert-butylhydroxylamine hydrochloride and 0.44 g of triethylamine. Subsequently, 0.85 g of 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzenesulfonyl chloride and 0.45 g of 1-methylimidazole were added, and the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into a 1N hydrochloric acid, and the resulting mixed solution was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was separated, washed twice with a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure, and the residue obtained was subjected to column chromatography on silica gel to obtain 0.30 g of 2-{2-(N-tert-butylaminooxycarbonyl)phenoxy}-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidine [present compound (3)]. n 25 / D 1.5351 ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 1.10(s, 9H) 3.73(s, 6H), 5.69 (s, 1H), 6.45(bs, 1H), 7.10-8.04 (m, 4H) IR (neat): 3240, 2980, 1716, 1602 cm⁻¹ Production example 4 0.17 Gram of a 60% sodium hydride in oil was suspended in 4 ml of N,N-dimethylformamide, and a solution of 0.70 g of 3- hydroxy-2-(N,N-dimethylaminooxycarbonyl)pyridine in 1 ml of N,N-dimethylformamide was added. After stirring at room temperature for 30 minutes, a solution of 0.84 g of 4,6-dimethoxy-2-methylsulfonylpyrimidine in 1 ml of N,N-dimethylformamide was added. After stirring at room temperature for 3 hours, the reaction solution was heated to 70° to 80°C and kept at the same temperature for 2 hours with stirring. The reaction solution was allowed to cool, poured into water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure, and the residue obtained was subjected to chromatography to obtain 0.30 g of 3-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)oxy-2-(N,N-dimethylaminooxycarbonyl)pyridine [present compound (4)]. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 2.72 (s, 6H), 3.78 (s, 6H), 5.76 (s, 1H), 7.55-7.63 (m, 2H), 8.61 (dxd, 1H, J=4.8, 2.4Hz) Production example 5 0.93 Gram of 2-chloro-6-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)oxybenzoic acid was dissolved in 10 ml of tetrahydrofuran, and 0.58 g of N,N′-carbonyldiimidazole was added. After stirring at room temperature for 10 minutes, the solution was refluxed for 20 minutes. After the solution was allowed to cool, 0.35 g of N,N-dimethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride and 0.36 g of triethylamine were added, and the resulting mixed solution was stirred overnight at room temperature. The reaction solution was poured into water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was separated, washed twice with a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure, and the residue obtained was subjected to chromatography on silica gel to obtain 0.2 g of 4,6-dimethoxy-2-{3-chloro2-(N,N-dimethylaminooxycarbonyl)phenoxy}pyrimidine [present compound (12)]. m.p. 80.0-81.0°C ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 2.73 (s, 6H), 3.77 (s, 6H), 5.72 (s, 1H), 7.00-7.49 (m, 3H) Production example 6 1.98 Grams of 2-fluoro-6-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)oxybenzoic acid was dissolved in 20 ml of tetrahydrofuran, and 1.31 g of N,N-carbonyldiimidazole was added. After stirring at room temperature for 20 minutes, 0.80 g of N,N-dimethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride and 0.83 g of triethylamine were added, and the resulting mixed solution was stirred at room temperature for 6 hours. The reaction solution was poured into water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was separated, washed twice with a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure, and the residue obtained was subjected to chromatography on silica gel to obtain 1.10 g of 4,6-dimethoxy-2-{3-fluoro-2-(N,N-dimethylaminooxycarbonyl)phenoxy}pyrimidine [present compound (13)]. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 2.68 (s, 6H), 3.77 (s, 6H), 5.72 (s, 1H), 6.82-7.62 (m, 3H) The present compounds thus obtained are collectively shown in Table 3 Production examples for the phenol derivatives (II), a starting compound, are shown. Production example 7 6.00 Grams of acetylsalicylic acid chloride was dissolved in 70 ml of methylene chloride, and 7.37 g of N,N-dimethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride was added. Then, 9.16 of triethylamine was added dropwise thereto with stirring at room temperature. After completion of addition, stirring was carried out at room temperature for further 6 hours. The reaction mixture was washed with a 0.5N hydrochloric acid and then twice with water, and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure, and the residue obtained was subjected to column chromatography to obtain 3.10 g of 2-(N,N-dimethylaminooxycarbonyl)phenol. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 2.90 (s, 6H), 6.68-7.81 (m, 4H), 10.65 (bs, 1H) Production example 8 7.0 Grams of 3-hydroxypicolinic acid was dissolved in 10 ml of N,N-dimethylformamide, and the resulting solution was cooled to 0° to 5°C. 5.9 Grams of thionyl chloride was then added dropwise to the solution which was then stirred at 0° to 5°C for further 30 minutes. Thereafter, 30 ml of chloroform was added to the solution which was then stirred at 0° to 5°C for further 15 minutes. To the resulting mixed solution was added dropwise a dichloromethane solution of N,N-dimethylhydroxylamine prepared from 7.4 g of N,N-dimethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride and 7.6 g of triethylamine. After stirring at 0° to 5°C for 30 minutes, 7.9 g of pyridine was added, and stirring was continued at 0° to 5°C for further 1 hour. After stirring at room temperature for 8 hours, the reaction solution was poured into water, and insoluble matters were removed by filtration on celite. The organic layer was washed with water and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure, and the residue obtained was subjected to chromatography to obtain 1.0 g of 3-hydroxy-2-(N,N-dimethylaminooxycarbonyl)pyridine. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 2.97 (s, 6H), 7.31-7.36 (m, 2H), 8.20 (dxd, 1H, J=3.0, 4.0Hz), 10.30 (bs, 1H) Production example 9 1.56 Grams of 6-fluorosalicylic acid was dissolved in 20 ml of tetrahydrofuran, and 1.94 g of N,N′-carbonyldiimidazole was added. After stirring at room temperature for 30 minutes, 1.47 g of N,N-dimethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride and 1.52 g of triethylamine were added, and the resulting mixed solution was stirred at room temperature for 7 hours. The reaction solution was poured into water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure, and the residue obtained was subjected to column chromatography to obtain 0.6 g of 3-fluoro-2-(N,N-dimethylaminooxycarbonyl)phenol. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 2.91 (s, 6H), 6.36-7.50 (m, 4H), 11.05 (s, 1H) Production example 10 1.73 Grams of 6-chlorosalicylic acid was dissolved in 20 ml of tetrahydrofuran, and 1.95 g of N,N′-carbonyldiimidazole was added. After stirring at room temperature for 30 minutes, 1.47 g of N,N-dimethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride and 1.52 g of triethylamine were added, and the resulting mixed solution was stirred at room temperature for 7 hours. The reaction solution was poured into water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure, and the residue obtained was subjected to column chromatography to obtain 1.1 g of 3-chloro-2-(N,N-dimethylaminooxycarbonyl)phenol. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 2.92 (s, 6H), 6.74-7.35 (m, 6H), 10.30 (s, 1H) m.p. : 104-106°C The phenol derivatives (II) thus obtained are collectively shown in Table 4. Formulation examples are shown below. In the examples, the present compound (I) is shown by Compound No. in Table 3, and parts are by weight. Formulation example 1 Fifty parts of the present compound (1), (12), (14), (20), (25), 3 parts of calcium lignosulfonate, 2 parts of sodium lauryl sulfate and 45 parts of synthetic hydrated silicon dioxide are well mixed while being powdered to obtain a wettable powder. Formulation example 2 Ten parts of the present compound (1)-(32), 14 parts of polyoxyethylene styrylphenyl ether, 6 parts of calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, 40 parts of xylene and parts of cyclohexanone are well mixed to obtain an emulsifiable concentrate. Formulation example 3 Two parts of the present compound (1), (12), (14), (20), (25), 1 part of synthetic hydrated silicon dioxide, 2 parts of calcium lignosulfonate, 30 parts of bentonite and 65 parts of kaolin clay are well pulverized and mixed. The resulting mixture is well kneaded with water, granulated and dried to obtain a granule. Formulation example 4 Twenty five parts of the present compound (1)-(32), 3 parts of polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, 3 parts of CMC and 69 parts of water are mixed and wet-pulverized until the particle size decreases to 5 microns or less. Thus, a suspension formulation is obtained. That the present compounds are useful as an active ingredient for herbicides is shown by test examples. In the examples, the present compound (I) is shown by Compound No. in Table 3, and compounds used for comparison are shown by Compound symbol in Table 5. The evaluation of the herbicidal activity and phytotoxicity was carried out as follows: When the states of emergence and growth of treated test plants (weeds and crops) at the time of evaluation were completely the same as or hardly different from those of untreated test plants, the value of evaluation was taken as "0". When the treated test plants were completely killed, or their emergence and growth were completely inhibited, the value of evaluation was taken as "5", and an interval between "0" and "5" was divided into four stages, i.e. "1", "2", "3" and "4". The evaluation was thus made in six stages. Test example 1 Soil surface treatment test in upland field soil Cylindrical plastic pots of 10 cm in diameter and 10 cm in depth were filled with upland field soil, and the seeds of Japanese millet, oat, tall morningglory and velvetleaf were sowed in the respective pots and covered with soil. The test compounds were formulated into emulsifiable concentrates according to Formulation example 2, and the prescribed amount of each emulsifiable concentrate was diluted with water corresponding to liters/are and uniformly applied onto the whole soil surface by means of an automatic sprayer. After application, the test plants were cultivated for 19 days in a greenhouse, and the herbicidal activity was examined. The results are shown in Table 6. Test example 2 Foliar treatment test in upland field soil Cylindrical plastic pots of 10 cm in diameter and 10 cm in depth were filled with upland field soil, and the seeds of Japanese millet, oat, radish and velvetleaf were sowed in the respective pots and cultivated for 8 days in a greenhouse. Thereafter, the test compounds were formulated into emulsifiable concentrates according to Formulation example 2, and the prescribed amount of each emulsifiable concentrate was diluted with a spreading agent-containing water corresponding to 10 liters/are and uniformly applied from above onto the whole foliar portion of the test plants by means of an automatic sprayer. After application, the test plants were cultivated for 19 days in a greenhouse, and the herbicidal activity was examined. The results are shown in Table 7. Test example 3 Soil treatment test in upland field soil Vats of 33 x 23 cm² in area and 11 cm in depth were filled with upland field soil, and the seeds of barnyardgrass, johnsongrass, green foxtail, wild oat and blackgrass were sowed in the respective vats and covered with soil in a thickness of 1 to 2 cm. The test compounds were formulated into emulsifiable concentrates according to Formulation example 2, and the prescribed amount of each emulsifiable concentrate was diluted with water corresponding to 10 liters/are and uniformly applied onto the whole soil surface by means of an automatic sprayer. After application, the test plants were cultivated for 18 days in a greenhouse, and the herbicidal activity was examined. The results are shown in Table 8. Test example 4 Foliar treatment test in upland field soil Vats of 33 x 23 cm² in area and 11 cm in depth were filled with upland field soil, and the seeds of corn, barnyardgrass and green foxtail were sowed in the respective vats and cultivated for 16 days. Thereafter, the test compounds were formulated into emulsifiable concentrates according to Formulation example 2, and the prescribed amount of each emulsifiable concentrate was diluted with water corresponding to 10 liters/are and uniformly applied from above onto the whole foliar portion of the test plants by means of an automatic sprayer. The condition of growth of the weeds and crop at that time varied with the kind of the test plants, but the test plants were in the 1- to 4-leaf stage and were 5 to 12 cm in height. Eighteen days after application, the herbicidal activity and phytotoxicity were examined. The results are shown in Table 9. This test was carried out in a greenhouse through the whole test period. Test compound Dosage of active ingredient (g/a) Phytotoxicity Herbicidal activity Corn Barnyardgrass Green foxtail (1) 2.5 0 4 5 0.63 0 4 4 (2) 2.5 2 4 5 0.63 0 4 5 A 2.5 0 2 0 0.63 0 1 0 E 2.5 4 4 0 0.63 1 3 0 Test example 5 Soil treatment test in upland field soil Vats of 33 x 23 cm² in area and 11 cm in depth were filled with upland field soil, and the seeds of soybean, cotton, corn, velvetleaf, black nightshade, barnyardgrass, green foxtail and johnsongrass were sowed in the respective vats and covered with soil in a thickness of 1 to 2 cm. The test compounds were formulated into emulsifiable concentrates according to Formulation example 2, and the prescribed amount of each emulsifiable concentrate was diluted with water corresponding to 10 liters/are and uniformly applied onto the whole soil surface by means of an automatic sprayer. After application, the test plants were cultivated for 18 days in a greenhouse, and the herbicidal activity and phytotoxicity were examined. The results are shown in Table 10. Test example 6 Foliar treatment test in upland field soil Vats of 33 x 23 cm² in area and 11 cm in depth were filled with upland field soil, and the seeds of corn, tall morningglory, cocklebur, velvetleaf, sicklepod, black nightshade, barnyardgrass, green foxtail and johnsongrass were sowed in the respective vats and cultivated for 16 days. Thereafter, the test compounds were formulated into emulsifiable concentrates according to Formulation example 2, and the prescribed amount of each emulsifiable concentrate was diluted with water corresponding to 10 liters/are and uniformly applied from above onto the whole foliar portion of the test plants by means of an automatic sprayer. The condition of growth of the weeds and crop at that time varied with the kind of the test plants, but the test plants were in the 0.5- to 4-leaf stage and were 5 to 30 cm in height. Eighteen days after application, the herbicidal activity and phytotoxicity were examined. The results are shown in Table 11. This test was carried out in a greenhouse through the whole test period. Test example 7 Soil treatment test in upland field soil Vats of 33 x 23 cm² in area and 11 cm in depth were filled with upland field soil, and the seeds of beet, wheat, barley, pale smartweed, cleavers, chickweed, birdseye speedwell, field pansy, downy brome, wild oat, blackgrass and annual bluegrass were sowed in the respective vats and covered with soil in a thickness of 1 to 2 cm. The test compounds were formulated into emulsifiable concentrates according to Formulation example 2, and the prescribed amount of each emulsifiable concentrate was diluted with water corresponding to liters/are and uniformly applied onto the whole soil surface by means of an automatic sprayer. After application, the test plants were cultivated for 25 days in a greenhouse, and the herbicidal activity and phytotoxicity were examined. The results are shown in Table 12. Test example 8 Foliar treatment test in upland field soil Vats of 33 x 23 cm² in area and 11 cm in depth were filled with upland field soil, and the seeds of wheat, pale smartweed, cleavers, chickweed, birdseye speedwell, field pansy, downy brome, wild oat, blackgrass and annual bluegrass were sowed in the respective vats and cultivated for 31 days. Thereafter, the test compounds were formulated into emulsifiable concentrates according to Formulation example 2, and the prescribed amount of each emulsifiable concentrate was diluted with water corresponding to 10 liters/are and uniformly applied from above onto the whole foliar portion of the test plants by means of an automatic sprayer. The condition of growth of the weeds and crop at that time varied with the kind of the test plants, but the test plants were in the 1- to 4-leaf stage and were 3 to 25 cm in height. Twenty-five days after application, the herbicidal activity and phytotoxicity were examined. The results are shown in Table 13. This test was carried out in a greenhouse through the whole test period. Test example 9 Flooding treatment test in paddy field Cylindrical plastic pots of 8 cm in diameter and 12 cm in depth were filled with paddy field soil, and the seeds of barnyardgrass and bulrush were sowed 1 to 2 cm deep under the soil surface. After creating the state of paddy field by flooding, the tuber of arrowhead was buried 1 to 2 cm deep under the soil surface and cultivated in a greenhouse. After 6 days (at the initial stage of generation of every weed), the test compounds were formulated into emulsifiable concentrates according to Formulation example 2, and the prescribed amount of each emulsifiable concentrate was diluted with 2,5 ml of water and applied onto the water surface. After application, the test plants were cultivated for 19 days in a greenhouse, and the herbicidal activity was examined. The results are shown in Table 14. Test compound Dosage of active ingredient (g/a) Herbicidal activity Barnyardgrass Bulrush Arrowhead (12) 0.16 4 4 4 0.04 4 4 4 (13) 0.16 5 4 4 0.04 4 4 4 H 0.16 3 3 3 0.04 0 0 2 K 0.16 0 0 2 0.04 0 0 1 Test example 10 Soil treatment test in upland field. soil Vats of 33 x 23 cm² in area and 11 cm in depth were filled with upland field soil, and the seeds of tall morningglory, velvetleaf, sicklepod, black nightshade, barnyardgrass, green foxtail and johnsongrass were sowed in the respective vats and covered with soil in a thickness of 1 to 2 cm. The test compounds were formulated into emulsifiable concentrates according to Formulation example 2, and the prescribed amount of each emulsifiable concentrate was diluted with water corresponding to 10 liters/are and uniformly applied onto the whole soil surface by means of an automatic sprayer. After application, the test plants were cultivated for 18 days in a greenhouse, and the herbicidal activity was examined. The results are shown in Table 15. Test example 11 Foliar treatment test in upland field soil Vats of 33 x 23 cm² in area and 11 cm in depth were filled with upland field soil, and the seeds of tall morningglory, velvetleaf, black nightshade, barnyardgrass, green foxtail and johnsongrass were sowed in the respective vats and cultivated for 16 days. Thereafter, the test compounds were formulated into emulsifiable concentrates according to Formulation example 2, and the prescribed amount of each emulsifiable concentrate was diluted with water corresponding to 10 liters/are and uniformly applied from above onto the whole foliar portion of the test plants by means of an automatic sprayer. The condition of growth of the weeds and crop at that time varied with the kind of the test plants, but the test plants were in the 0.5- to 4-leaf stage and were 4 to 27 cm in height. Eighteen days after application, the herbicidal activity was examined. The results are shown in Table 16. This test was carried out in a greenhouse through the whole test period. Test example 12 Soil treatment test in upland field soil Vats of 33 x 23 cm² in area and 11 cm in depth were filled with upland field soil, and the seeds of pale smartweed, chickweed, birdseye speedwell, field pansy, wild oat, blackgrass and annual bluegrass were sowed in the respective vats and covered with soil in a thickness of 1 to 2 cm. The test compounds were formulated into emulsifiable concentrates according to Formulation example 2, and the prescribed amount of each emulsifiable concentrate was diluted with water corresponding to 10 liters/are and uniformly applied onto the whole soil surface by means of an automatic sprayer. After application, the test plants were cultivated for 25 days in a greenhouse, and the herbicidal activity was examined. The results are shown in Table 17. Test example 13 Foliar treatment test in upland field soil Vats of 33 x 23 cm² in area and 11 cm in depth were filled with upland field soil, and the seeds of pale smartweed, cleavers, chickweed and field pansy were sowed in the respective vats and cultivated for 31 days. Thereafter, the test compounds were formulated into emulsifiable concentrates according to Formulation example 2, and the prescribed amount of each emulsifiable concentrate was diluted with water corresponding to 10 liters/are and uniformly applied from above onto the whole foliar portion of the test plants by means of an automatic sprayer. The condition of growth of the weeds and crop at that time varied with the kind of the test plants, but the test plants were in the 1- to 4-leaf stage and were 4 to 22 cm in height. Twenty-five days after application, the herbicidal activity was examined. The results are shown in Table 18. This test was carried out in a greenhouse through the whole test period. Test compound Dosage of active ingredient (g/a) Herbicidal activity Pale smartweed Cleavers Chickweed Field pansy (12) 0.32 5 5 5 5 0.08 4 5 4 4 (13) 0.32 5 5 5 5 0.08 4 - 4 4 G 0.32 2 2 1 2 0.08 1 1 0 1

Claims: A pyrimidine derivative represented by the formula, wherein each of R¹ and R², which may be the same or different, represents a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkenyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkynyl group, a halo C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxy C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkenyloxy C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkynyloxy C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkenyloxycarbonyl C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkynyloxycarbonyl C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a cyano C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a group represented by the formula, (in which each of R⁵ and R⁶, which may be the same or different, represents a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkenyl group or a C₃-C₆ alkynyl group, and n represents an integer of 1, 2, 3, or 4), a group represented by the formula, (in which n is as defined above, R⁷ represents a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkenyl group or a C₃-C₆ alkynyl group, and m represents an integer of 0, 1 or 2), a cyclo C₃-C₈ alkyl group, or an optionally substituted phenyl group, an optionally substituted benzyl group, or R¹ and R², bonded together at their ends, form an optionally substituted C₄-C₇ alkylene group or an optionally substituted C₃-C₆ alkylene group containing hetero atom; the hetero atom in R¹ and R² means a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; each of R³ and R⁴, which may be the same or different, represents a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxy group, a halo C₁-C₆ alkoxy group or a halogen atom; X represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; Z represents N or CY⁴; each of Y¹, Y², Y³, which may be the same or different, represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, or a C₁-C₆ alkoxy group; and Y⁴ represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a mercapto group, a nitro group, a halogen atom, a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₂-C₆ alkenyl group, a C₂-C₆ alkynyl group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxy group, a C₃-C₆ alkenyloxy group, a C₃-C₆ alkynyloxy group, a halo C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a halo C₂-C₆ alkenyl group, a halo C₂-C₆ alkynyl group, a halo C₁-C₆ alkoxy group, a halo C₃-C₆ alkenyloxy group, a halo C₃-C₆ alkynyloxy group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxy C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkenyloxy C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkynyloxy C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a cyano group, a formyl group, a carboxyl group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkenyloxycarbonyl group, a C₃-C₆ alkynyloxycarbonyl group; an optionally substituted phenyl group, an optionally substituted phenoxy group, an optionally substituted phenylthio group, an optionally substituted benzyloxy group, an optionally substituted benzylthio group, a group represented by the formula, (in which R⁵ and R⁶ are as defined above), a group represented by the formula, (in which R⁵ and R⁶ are as defined above), (in which R⁷ and m are as defined above), a group represented by the formula, (in which R⁷ and X are as defined above), or a group represented by the formula, (in which R⁷, m and n are as defined above), each optionally substituted group in the above being substituted with a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxy group, a halo C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl group or a halogen atom. A pyrimidine derivative according to Claim 1, wherein each of R³ and R⁴, which may be the same or different, is a C₁-C₆ alkoxy group. A pyrimidine derivative according to Claim 2, wherein both R³ and R⁴ are a methoxy group. A pyrimidine derivative according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein X is an oxygen atom. A pyrimidine derivative according to any preceding claim, wherein Z is N or CY⁵ (in which Y⁵ represents a hydrogen atom, a halo C₁ -C₆ alkyl group or a halogen atom). A pyrimidine derivative according to Claim 5, wherein Z is CY⁵ (in which Y⁵ is a halo C₁ -C₆ alkyl group or a halogen atom). A pyrimidine derivative according to Claim 6, wherein Y⁵ is a halogen atom. A pyrimidine derivative according to any preceding claim, wherein Y¹, Y² and Y³ are a hydrogen atom or a flourine atom. A pyrimidine derivative according to any one of Claims 5 to 8, wherein each of R³ and R⁴ is a methoxy group and X is an oxygen atom. A pyrimidine derivative according to Claim 5, wherein each of R³ and R⁴ is a methoxy group, X is a oxygen atom, and each of Y¹, Y² and Y³ are a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom. A pyrimidine derivative selected from the following compounds: 4,6-dimethoxy-2-{2-(N,N-dimethylaminooxycarbonyl)phenoxy}pyrimidine, 4,6-dimethoxy-2-{3-chloro-2-(N,N-dimethylaminooxycarbonyl)phenoxy}pyrimidine, 4,6-dimethoxy-2-{3-fluoro-2-(N,N-dimethylaminooxycarbonyl)phenoxy}pyrimidine, 3-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)oxy-2-(N,N-dimethylaminooxycarbonyl)pyridine, 4,6-dimethoxy-2-{3-trifluoromethyl-2-(N,N-dimethylaminooxycarbonyl)phenoxy}pyrimidine, 4,6-dimethoxy-2-{3-chloro-2-(1-piperidyloxycarbonyl)phenoxy}pyrimidine and 4,6-dimethoxy-2-{3-chloro-2-(N-tert-butylaminooxycarbonyl)phenoxy}pyrimidine. A method for producing a pyrimidine derivative according to Claim 1 which comprises reacting a phenol derivative represented by the formula, wherein R¹, R², Y¹, Y², Y³ X and Z are each as defined in Claim 1, with a pyrimidine derivative represented by the formula, (wherein R³ and R⁴ are each as defined in claim 1 and W represents a halogen atom or a group represented by formula, (in which R⁸ represents a C₁-C₆ alkyl group or a benzyl group which is optionally substituted with a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxy group, a halogen atom or a nitro group, and m represents an integer of 0, 1 or 2)). A method for producing a pyrimidine derivative according to Claim 1 which comprises reacting a carboxylic acid derivative represented by the formula, (wherein R³, R⁴, Y¹, Y², Y³, and Z are each as defined in Claim 1) with an acid-halogenating agent or an active esterifying agent, and subsequently reacting the resulting reaction product with a hydroxylamine derivative represented by the formula, (wherein R¹ and R² are each as defined in Claim 1). A compound represented by the formula, (wherein R¹, R², Y¹, Y², Y³, X and Z are as defined in Claim 1). A herbicidal composition which comprises, as an active ingredient a Compound (I) according to Claim 1 and an inert carrier or a diluent. A method for controlling undesired weeds, which comprises applying a compound (I) according to Claim 1 and an inert carrier or a diluent to the area where undesired weeds grow or may grow. Use of the compound (I) according to Claim 1 as a herbicide.

Inventors: HIRATA NAONORI, HIRATSUKA MITSUNORI, SAITOH KAZUO, SHIBATA HIDEYUKI, HIRATA, NAONORI, HIRATSUKA, MITSUNORI, SAITOH, KAZUO, SHIBATA, HIDEYUKI
Applicants: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL CO, SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED
Application year: 1990
Main classification: C07D239
IPC codes: A01P13, C07D295, C07D213, C07C239, A01N43, C07D409, A01N47, C07D239, C07D401, C07D405