Herbicidal thioparaconic acid derivatives

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel group of thioparaconic acid derivatives, useful as herbicides, of the formula, wherein R¹ is cyano, ester, or amido R² is a straight-chained alkyl group or a branched-chained alkyl group of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, R³ and R⁴ independently of one another represent hydrogen, an alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl of 5 to 6 carbon atoms, or a heterocyclyl of 5 to 6 carbon and hetero atoms with the hetero atoms selected from sulfur, nitrogen and oxygen, or, R³ and R⁴ taken together with the nitrogen atom of the amido group represent pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl or piperazinyl. The invention also relates to a method of controlling plant growth that employs the above-described compound, wherein R¹ is also defined as a carboxy group.

Description: The present invention relates to herbicides. In particular, this invention relates to employing thioparaconic acid derivatives as herbicides. Reaction schemes showing thioparaconic acid as an end product are known. Thiophen derivatives and thiolate-2,4-dione-3-carboxamides are also known. Uses of these compounds vary. US-A-2.976,216 discloses thioparaconic acid and certain salts of thioparaconic acid are useful as ingredients in hair waving lotion. US-A-3,365,447 discloses that thiophen derivatives possess useful therapeutic properties. US-A-4,599,350 discloses thiolate-2,4-dione-3-carboxamides are useful as fungicides. Providing the public with a greater variety of compounds found to have herbicidal activity is desirable. A variety of compounds are needed to give manufacturers and users alike flexibility in choosing a herbicide best suited to their needs. The present invention solves the problem of the public need for alternative herbicides. A group of compounds as well as a novel method of controlling plant growth is also provided by the invention. The invention relates to novel thioparaconic acid derivatives compounds characterized as having the following formula: wherein R¹ is cyano, ester, or amido R² is a straight-chained alkyl group or a branched-chained alkyl group of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, R³ and R⁴ independently of one another represent hydrogen, an alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl of 5 to 6 carbon atoms, and a heterocyclyl of 5 to 6 carbon and hetero atoms, with the hetero atoms selected from sulfur, nitrogen and oxygen or, R³ and R⁴ taken together with the nitrogen atom of the amido group represent pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl or piperazinyl. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a novel method of controlling plant growth comprising applying to the plants or to a habitat thereof a herbicidally effective amount of a compound characterized by the above described formula wherein R¹ is also defined as a carboxy group. The novel compounds of the present invention are useful in controlling undesirable plants such as broadleaf weeds and grassy plants. The invention provides a novel compound having the structure: wherein R¹ is cyano, ester, or amido R² is a straight-chained alkyl group or a branched-chained alkyl group, of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, octyl, isopropyl, i -butyl, s -butyl, t -butyl, 2-ethylhexyl and isooctyl, R³ and R⁴ are independently selected from one another and represent hydrogen, an alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, such as the examples provided hereinabove, a cycloalkyl of 5 to 6 carbon atoms, such as cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl, and a heterocyclyl of 5 to 6 carbon and hetero atoms, such as furyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyranyl, thiopyranyl, dioxanyl or, R³ and R⁴ taken together with the nitrogen atom of the amido group form a heterocyclyl group having 5 to 6 carbon and hetero atoms, such as pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl and piperazinyl. Preferred novel compounds of the invention include esters having the above structure wherein R² is ethyl or pentyl. Other compounds preferred include amido compounds having the above formula wherein R³ and R⁴ independently represent hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl. Preferred amido compounds having the above formula include those wherein R³ and R⁴ independently represent hydrogen or methyl. The invention also provides a method of controlling plant growth comprising applying to the plants or to a habitat thereof a herbicidally effective amount of a compound, the compound characterized as having the formula defined above wherein R¹ may also be defined as a carboxy group. Preferred methods of controlling plant growth include employing those compounds wherein R¹ is an ester and ethyl or pentyl. Also preferred is employing the amido compounds having the above formula wherein R³ and R⁴ independently represent hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl. Other preferred methods for controlling plant growth include those utilizing amido compounds having the above formula wherein R³ and R⁴ independently represent hydrogen or methyl. In general, novel compounds of the invention wherein R¹ is the ester or the amido as defined above are prepared according to the following reaction schemes: The esterification of acids with alcohols as shown above is generally described in Advanced Organic Chemistry , 3rd Ed., by Jerry March (1985), page 348. The acylation shown above is also generally described in Advanced Organic Chemistry , id. at page 370. The carboxylic acid is known and can be prepared as described in Chemical Abstracts 73 :3433 m (1970). The novel inventive compounds wherein R¹ is cyano can be prepared according to the following reaction scheme: This reaction scheme is generally disclosed also in Advanced Organic Chemistry , id. at page 933. Prefereably, the cyano compound of the invention is prepared according to the following reaction scheme: Application of the compounds which are useful in the method of the invention for purposes of herbicidal control can be accomplished employing both conventional type formulation and equipment. The compounds may, for instance, be formulated as wettable powders, dusts, dust concentrates, emulsifiable concentrates and the like which are amenable to application with conventional spraying or dusting apparatus. A herbicidally effective amount of the compounds of this invention must be employed to successfully control plant growth. For purposes of this invention, generally, this amount is defined as employing the compounds as the active ingredient in an amount of from 0.28 kg to 22.4 kg of compound per hectare of area where control of undesirable plant species is desired. Further formulation techniques follow hereinafter. For use in agriculture, the herbicides useful in this invention may be advantageously formulated as a wettable powder. Wettable powders are usually prepared by grinding and milling the ingredient with a solid carrier, such as attaclay (attapulgite) kaolin, diatomaceous earth, synthetic calcium silicate, fullers earth (calcium montmorillonite), talc, pumice, and the like. Usually, 25% to 75% by weight of solid carrier, is used. In addition, there is generally added 1% to 5% by weight of a dispersing agent, such as alkali metal salts of naphthalene sulfonic acid and anionic-nonionic blends, and from 1% to 5% by weight of a surfactant, such as polyoxyethylene alcohols, acids, adducts, sorbitan fatty acid esters, sorbital esters, and the like. The amount of solid carrier is then reduced accordingly to compensate for the amount of dispersing agent(s) and surfactant(s) incorporated into the formulation. Wettable powders are prepared in the same manner as the dust concentrates excepting that 1% to 5% by weight of a dispersing agent such as the calcium salt of a polymerized alkyl aryl sulfonic acid, sodium lignosulfate, or sodium salt of condensed naphthalene sulfonic acid is blended with the mixture and 1% to 5% of a surfactant, such as polyoxyethylated vegetable oil, alkyl phenoxy polyoxyethylene ethanol, sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate is also blended with the formulation. Wettable powder formulations are generally prepared by admixing from 25 percent to 95 percent, by weight, of active ingredient with finely ground clay, such as kaolin or attapulgite, either with or without a surface active agent, emulsifier or spreader-sticker. The latter is then dispersed in water for spray application. Wettable powders are usually dispersed in water and applied as dilute aqueous sprays at a rate of 0.28 kg to 22.4 kg/hectare of active ingredient to the area where control of undesirable plant species is desired. In practice, the wettable powder is dispersed in water and applied as a liquid spray to the foliage of undesirable plants. Application rates should be sufficient to provide 0.25 to 10 pounds per acre of the pyrazolium salt, although 0.5 to 5.0 pounds per acre of the salt is generally satisfactory to control undesirable broadleaf weeds and undesirable grass plants. It should be recognized that rates exceeding 10 and as high as 20 pounds per acre can be used. These higher rates would, of course, be used in areas such as railroad sidings, beneath power lines and along hedge rows bordering property lines and fields. Advantageously, many of the compounds useful in the process of this invention demonstrate a high degree of water solubility and lend themselves to the preparation of aqueous concentrates. Among the preferred salts are the alkali metal, ammonium or alkylammonium ones. In practice, the aqueous concentrates may be applied directly as a liquid spray to the foliage of undesirable broadleaf weeds and grassy plants. Alternatively, they may be further diluted with water and applied as dilute aqueous sprays to these undesirable plants. The water-miscible concentrates are prepared by dissolving from 15% to 95% of the compound in 85% to 5% of a water-miscible solvent, such as water itself or another polar water-miscible solvent, such as 2-methoxyethanol, methanol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, formamide, and dimethylformamide. Application of the material is made by adding a predetermined quantity of the water-miscible concentrate to a spray tank and applying the mixture as such or in combination with a suitable diluent, such as a further quantity of water or one of the above polar solvents. The performance of the product in all of the above formulations, which are applied as liquid sprays, is unexpectedly improved by adding a surfactant or blend of surfactants. Conventional anionic, cationic and nonionic surfactants may be employed. Illustrative nonionic surfactants are: alkyl polyoxyethylene ethers, polyoxethylene sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monoleate, alkylarylpolyglycol ethers, alkyl phenol ethoxylates, trimethyl nonyl polyethylene glycol ethers, alkyl phenol ethylene oxide condensates, octyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanols, nonylphenyl polyethylene glycol ethers, condensates of polyoxy ethylenes, polyoxypropylenes, aliphatic polyethers, aliphatic polyesters, alkylaryl polyoxyethylene glycols, and the like. Exemplary anionic surfactants include sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate and the dioctyl ester of sodium sulfosuccinic acid. Suitable cationic surfactants include dicoco dimethylammonium chloride, stearamidopropyl dimethyl betahydroxyethylammonium nitrate and the like. These surfactants are preferably added to the spray tank at the rate of 0.1% to 5% by volume to provide good wetting of the spray solution on plant foliage. Herbicidal concentrates containing surfactants are preferably formulated as aqueous sprays containing approximately 30% by weight of the appropriate salt, from 25% to 50% by weight of water and the remainder of said formulation (25%-45% weight) of a selected surfactant. Surfactants which are especially useful in preparing suitable surfactant containing concentrates include an octylphenol ethylene oxide condensate, an ethanolic solution of an alkylphenol ethoxylate, a polyglycolic ether condensate produced from ethylene oxide and an alkyl phenol, and an alkyl aryl polyglycolic ether. Dusts are generally prepared by grinding together 1% to 25% by weight of the active agent with from 99% to 75% by weight of a solid diluent such as kaolin, attapulgite, talc, pumice, diatomaceous earth, fullers earth (calcium montmorillonite), wood flour, and the like. Dust concentrates are prepared in similar fashion excepting that 25% to 95% by weight of the active agent is ground with 75% to 5% by weight of the diluent. Dusts and dust concentrates are similarly prepared using from 5 percent to 95 percent of active ingredient and from 95 to 5 percent of finely divided inert ingredients. These dusts are generally applied as such, or they may be further diluted with finely ground inert solids and then applied with conventional dusting apparatus. Emulsifiable concentrates may be prepared by dissolving or dispersing the active ingredient and organic solvent, with or without emulsifying agents, surfactants or the like. Such formulations are then diluted with either water or an appropriate organic diluent prior to application. For application of the compounds useful in the process of this invention to the foliage of the undesirable plant species, the compounds are generally formulated as postemergence herbicidal compositions by admixing a herbicidal adjuvant with a herbicidally effective amount of the compound. Suitable adjuvants include one or more conventionally solid or liquid carriers, diluents and formulation aids, particularly surfactants. Example I Bioassay of Potential Herbicides - Primary Screen 7.5 x 7.6 x 6 cm units were filled with steam-sterilized soil and held in greenhouse flats (43 x 43 x 5 cm). The depth of planting and number of seeds per unit varied with each species. Weeds tested included: Abbreviation a. Barnyard grass ( Echinochloa crusgalli ) BYGRASS b. Green foxtail ( Setaria viridis ) FOXTAIL c. Wild oats ( Avena fatua ) WILDOAT d. Nightshade ( Solanum sp .) NSHADE e. Velvetleaf ( Abutilon theophrasti ) VLEAF f. Annual morningglory ( Ipomoea purpurea ) MGLORY g. Yellow nutsedge ( Cyperus esculentus ) YNUTSED h. Pigweed ( Amaranthus retroflexus ) PWEED i. Downy brome ( Bromus teotorum ) DBROME Rationale for selection of these species included: a. Affected plants were indicators of symptomology of herbicides. b. One or more species was sensitive to all United States commercial herbicides at the 4 pounds per acre rate. c. Each species represented a different genus. d. Economic importance. e. Would germinate within 7 days and grow very well every month of the year. f. Available source of viable seeds. Germination tests were routinely conducted on new shipments of weeds to establish a baseline viability. Preemergence test: Seeds were planted in a sandy loam soil mixture (3 parts sandy loam soil to 1 part perlite). Weed seeds were planted at the following densities using a volumetric measurement. Weed Species No. Seeds/Pot Barnyardgrass 50 Green foxtail 45 Wild oats 55 Nightshade 35 Velvet leaf 20 Annual Morningglory 10 Yellow nutsedge 10 Pigweed 35 Downy brome 50 Postemergence test: Seeds were planted as described above except supersoil (fir bark, redwood, Canadian peat, and sand) was used. Plants were fertilized weekly with a 10:10:10 fertilizer mix. Seedlings were thinned to the following densities: Weed Species No. Seeds/Pot Barnyardgrass 40 Green foxtail 40 Wild oats 40 Nightshade 20 Velvet leaf 20 Annual Morningglory 5 Yellow nutsedge 5 Pigweed 10 Downy brome 4 The preemergence test consisted of spraying the soil surface with the test compound at 4 pounds active ingredient per acre using a belt sprayer equipped with an overhead nozzle. A mixture of an octylphenoxy polyethoxy ethanol surface active agent, a polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate surface active agent, and a sorbitan monolaurate surface active agent was added at 1000 ppm to increase spreadability of the compound. The compound was applied at 100 gallons per acre and 21.9 grams per square inch, and the belt speed was 0.5 miles per hour. Spraying was done within 6 hours after planting. The soil was watered shortly after treatment and received daily watering of a fine mist. Little or no drainage of water out of the cup bottoms occurred. Postemergence tests involved spraying of established seedlings using the same equipment and formulation as noted above. Weeds used in postemergence studies were held in moist soil without additional watering for 48 hours and then received daily watering of a fine mist spray. A test consisted of a. Control - seed only b. Test - seed plus compound c. Standard One replicate of each test was conducted. The level of control was periodically evaluated with a written evaluation at one and two weeks posttreatment. The percentage preemergence weed control was assessed using a ranking of 0 to 4, Ranking 0 Near 100% germination, no phytotoxicity observed. 1 Near 75% seed germination, no phytotoxicity to seedlings. 2 Seed germination delayed, over 50% seed germination, and/or some phytotoxicity. 3 Less than 50% seed germination and/or extensive phytotoxicity to established plants. 4 No observed germination and/or establishment. Postemergence evaluation: Ranking 0 No chlorosis, suppression or inhibition of plant growth, etc. observed. 1 Minimal phytotoxicity, plants generally healthy. 2 Less than 50% plant injury, recovery evident. 3 Over 50% plant injury, some plant death. 4 All plants dead with no recovery. The test results are reported in Tables I and II. Example II Preparation of N-n-Butylthioparaconic Acid Amide A mixture of thioparaconic acid (2.19g, 15.0 mmole), oxalyl chloride (2.0 ml, 23 mmole) and dimethylformamide(3 drops) in dichloromethane (50 ml) was stirred at ambient temperature until gas evolution substantially slowed. An additional portion of oxalyl chloride was added (0.4 ml, 5 mmole), and when gas evolution again ceased, the mixture was concentrated in vacuo. Twice, portions of cyclohexane (50 ml) were added and similarly evaporated. The residue was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran(50 ml), the solution chilled, and n -butylamine (3.0 ml, 30 mmole) added. The mixture was stirred thirty minutes. It was then poured into water. Ethyl acetate extractive workup gave a crude solid. Recrystallization from t -butyl methyl ether afforded N -butylthioparaconic acid amide as a cream solid (1.19 g, 39.4%), mp 63-64°C. Structural assignment was based upon ¹H NMR spectroscopic analysis. Other, thioparaconic acid amides were prepared in a similar manner in Examples V, VI and VII. Structural assignments were based upon ¹H NMR spectroscopic analysis. The resulting thioparaconic acid amides are shown in Table III. Example III Preparation of Ethyl Thioparaconate A mixture of thioparaconic acid (14.6 g, 0.100 mmole), ethanol (25 ml), benzene (100 ml) and concentrated sulfuric acid (2 ml) was heated at reflux overnight in apparatus having a water trap to allow removal of water. The mixture was then concentrated in vacuo. The residue was distilled bulb-to-bulb at 0.1 torr, 120°C to provide ethyl thioparaconate as a colorless oil (15.3 g, 87.9%). The ¹H NMR spectrum was consistent with the assigned structure. Example IV Preparation of n-Pentyl Thioparaconic Acid Using a method similar to that of Example III, n -pentyl thioparaconate was prepared and purified by distillation, bulb-to-bulb at 0.1 torr, 130°C. The ¹H NMR spectrum was consistent with the assigned structure.

Claims: A thioparaconic acid derivative characterized as having the following formula: wherein R¹ is cyano, ester, or amido R² is a straight-chained alkyl group or a branched-chained alkyl group of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or R³ and R⁴ independently of one another represent hydrogen, an alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl of 5 to 6 carbon atoms, or a heterocyclyl of 5 to 6 carbon and hetero atoms, with the hetero atoms selected from sulfur, nitrogen and oxygen, or, R³ and R⁴ taken together with the nitrogen atom of the amido group represent pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl or piperazinyl. The compound according to claim 1 wherein R² is ethyl or pentyl. The compound according to claim 1 wherein R³ and R⁴ independently of one another represent hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl. The compound according to claim 1 or 3 wherein R³ and R⁴ independently of one another represent hydrogen or methyl. A method of controlling plant growth comprising applying to the plants or to a habitat thereof a herbicidally effective amount of a compound, the method characterized wherein the compound has the following formula: wherein R¹ is carboxy, cyano, ester, or amido R² a straight-chained alkyl group or a branched-chained alkyl group of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, R³ and R⁴ independently of one another represent hydrogen, an alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl of 5 to 6 carbon atoms, or a heterocyclyl of 5 to 6 carbon and hetero atoms with the hetero atoms selected from sulfur, nitrogen and oxygen, R³ and R⁴ taken together with the nitrogen atom of the amido group represent pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl or piperazinyl. A method according to claim 5 wherein R² is ethyl or pentyl. A method according to claim 5 wherein R³ and R⁴ independently of one another represent hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl. A method according to claims 5 or 7 wherein R³ and R⁴ independently of one another represent hydrogen or methyl. A herbicidal composition comprising a carrier and an effective amount of an active ingredient, the composition characterized wherein the active ingredient is the compound recited in any of claims 1 to 4. A solid herbicidal composition comprising a surfactant and an active ingredient, the composition characterized wherein the active ingredient is the compound recited in any of claims 1 to 4 and the surfactant being present in an amount effective to prevent crystallization of the active ingredient.

Inventors: WELTER THOMAS ROBERT C O EASTM, WELTER, THOMAS ROBERT, C/O EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
Applicants: EASTMAN KODAK CO, EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
Application year: 1991
Main classification: C07D333
IPC codes: C07D409, C07D333, A01N43