Pesticidal 1-arylimidazoles

Abstract: The invention describes novel 1-arylimidazoles of formula (I), wherein typically preferred substituents are: X is S(O) n R₁, in which R₁ is unsubstituted or halo-substituted alkyl and n is 0, 1 or 2; Y is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkylideneimino, alkylsulfenyl, alkylsulfinyl or alkylsulfonyl; Z is hydrogen or alkyl; R₂ is halogen or alkylsulfenyl; R₃ and R₅ are hydrogen; R₆ is halogen; and R₄ is hydrogen, halogen, haloalkyl or haloalkoxy. The invention further describes processes to make the compounds, compositions of the compounds, and methods of use of the compounds for the control of arthropods (especially mites, aphids or insects), nematodes, helminths, or protozoa.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to new 1-arylimidazoles and processes to make and use the compounds. The invention further pertains to compositions of said compounds and methods, using said compounds, for the control of arthropod, nematode, helminth or protozoan pests. In particular, it pertains to the application of compounds or compositions thereof in agriculture and methods of use, particularly as pesticides, for controlling arthropods, especially mites or foliar or soil insects, without causing injury to crop plants. 2. Description of the Related Art Various substituted imidazole compounds are known to exhibit a number of different types of pesticidal activity, including activity as herbicides, plant growth regulators, fungicides, nematicides, insecticides and biocides. EP-A-270061 discloses as insecticides aryl-substituted five-membered heterocycles having three heteroatoms. US-A-4755213 discloses as plant growth regulators 1-arylimidazoles which are unsubstituted in the 2 and 4 positions of the imidazole ring and further substituted by a carboxamide (aminocarbonyl) group in the 5 position. EP-A-277384 and EP-A-289066 disclose as herbicides 1-arylimidazoles which are only substituted in the 2 and 5 positions and again unsubstituted in the 4 position of the imidazole ring. Other 1-substituted imidazoles are described as insecticides in EP-A-289919, in which case the 1-substituent is aralkyl or aralkoxy (i.e., an alkyl or alkoxy bridging group between the imidazole and aryl rings). EP-A-283173 discloses as insecticides, etc. 2-arylimidazoles in which the aryl ring is attached to the imidazole ring at a carbon atom (2-position) rather than a nitrogen atom and the 1-position nitrogen atom is substituted by hydrogen or an optionally substituted alkyl group. Australian Patent Application AU-A-12883/88 discloses as fungicides, insecticides, nematicides, etc., imidazole compounds which may be substituted at the 4 or 5 or both 4 and 5 positions of the imidazole ring (i.e., attachment to carbon rather than nitrogen) by an optionally substituted phenyl ring and are substituted on the 1-position nitrogen atom by a hydrogen atom or a sulfonyl group. EP-A-396427 discloses 1-arylimidazole compounds useful in the control of arthropods, nematodes, helminths, or protozoa. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention pertains to new and novel 1-arylimidazole compounds which exhibit outstanding pesticidal properties, especially as insecticides or miticides or both. The compounds, including their stereo isomers, e.g. diastereomers and optical isomers, are pesticidal compounds which are highly active, particularly as insecticides and miticides, and have good safety properties during handling, use or application. Of particular interest are highly active pesticidal compounds which are safe to man or his environment. The present invention accordingly provides a compound of formula (I) wherein: R 1 is CF 3 , CCl 2 F or CClF 2 ; n is 0, 1 or 2; Y is H, Cl, Br or SCH 3 ; R 2 is Cl or Br; and R 3 is Cl or Br; which compound is: 1-(2,6-dibromo-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-chlorodifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-methylsulfenyl-4-dichlorofluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-dichlorofluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-methylsulfenyl-4-chlorodifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-chlorodifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-chloro-4-dichlorofluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-4-dichlorofluoromethylsulfonylimidazole; 1-(2, 6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-trifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-trifluoromethylsulfinylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-trifluoromethylsulfonylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-chloro-4-trifluoromethylsulfinylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-chlorodifluoromethylsulfinylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-chlorodifluoromethylsulfonylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-dichlorofluoromethylsulfinylimidazole; or 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-dichlorofluoromethylsulfonylimidazole. In particular related to compounds of formula (I), there are certain specific substituent groups which appear to be beneficial in providing the safety characteristics described above. These groups include, for example: methylsulfenyl represented by Y; and halogen being fluorine. The following are some of the compounds of formula (I) (described subsequently in EXAMPLES 1-15 ), which especially have high miticidal activity: Compounds of EXAMPLES 1 to 6, 8, 10, 14 and 15. Typically wherein: Y is SCH 3 , Cl or Br; R 1 is CF 3 , CCl 2 F or CClF 2 ; R 2 and R 3 are Cl or Br; and n is 0. It is an object of the present invention to provide new compounds of the imidazole family together with processes for their preparation. A second object of the present invention is to provide, for example, agronomically or medicinally acceptable compositions. A third object of the present invention is to provide highly active compounds for use against: arthropods, especially mites, aphids or insects; plant nematodes; or helminth or protozoan pests. The compounds are thus advantageously used, for example, in agricultural or horticultural crops, forestry or livestock husbandry, or in public health. A fourth object of the present invention is to provide compounds with broad spectrum activity as insecticides, miticides, aphicides or nematicides, by either soil, foliar application or seed treatment, including via systemic action. A fifth object of the present invention is to provide compounds having high arthropod toxicity, for example, to mites in the subclass Acari, particularly Tetranychus urticae (twospotted spider mite), or Panonychus ulmi (European red mite). An additional object of the present invention is to provide pesticidal compounds which are highly active, especially as insecticides or miticides, and are safe to man or his environment during handling, use, or application. These and other objects of the invention shall become readily apparent from the detailed description of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS METHODS OR PROCESSES OF SYNTHESIS The compounds of general formula (I) can be prepared by the application or adaptation of known methods (i.e. methods heretofore used or described in the chemical literature): generally imidazole ring formation followed wherein necessary by changing substituents. It is to be also understood that, in the description of the following process methods, the sequences for the introduction of the various groups on the imidazole ring may be performed in a different order and that suitable protecting groups may be required as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Also intermediates and compounds of general formula (I) may be converted by known methods into other compounds of general formula (I). In the following description of process methods when symbols appearing in formulae are not specifically defined, it is to be understood that they are "as herein before defined" in accordance with the first definition of each symbol in this specification. The term "protection" shall include conversion to a suitable non-reactive group which may be reconverted when desired, as well as the addition of groups which render the functionality non-reactive. Within the process definitions, unless otherwise stated, amino refers to the unsubstituted amino group. There are also particular intermediate compounds, useful to make certain of the herein contemplated compounds. Such preferred intermediate compounds, prepared as described herein, are defined in the following methods. In particular, intermediates that are more preferred have R 2 and R 3 as defined by formula (I) of the invention or more specifically preferred R 2 and R 3 definitions therein. The following synthetic Method I describes a cyclization procedure beginning with appropriately substituted N-phenylimino compounds which are cyclized by means of a basic reagent to useful intermediate N-phenylimidazole compounds. This reaction (including subsequent initial derivatization of Y') can be generally represented by the reaction of a compound of formula (II) with a basic agent to give a compound of formula (III) as follows: wherein for formula (II): R 2 and R 3 are as defined in formula (I); and Q is cyano. wherein for formula (III): R 2 and R 3 are as defined in formula (I); and Y' is amino. Compounds of formula (I) of the invention can then be prepared by reaction of compounds of formula (III) according to the subsequently described Methods introducing the required substituents, particularly in the 4-position and Y. Particularly useful intermediate phenyl imidazole compounds, discussed in the Methods herein for the preparation of compounds of the invention of formula (I), are specifically compounds of formulae (III), (Ia) and (Ib). Additionally, compounds of formula (II) which are useful are specifically compounds of formula (4) . In particular, the 4-sulfenated 1-arylimidazoles containing S(O) n R 1 at the 4-position, wherein n and R 1 are previously defined) of this invention can be prepared by a variety of methods. A preferred method is illustrated by reaction SCHEME I (METHOD I). Method I According to Method I, a particularly useful intermediate compound to formula (I), namely (Ia), can be prepared wherein R 1 , n, R 2 and R 3 are as defined in formula (I). Compounds of the invention or intermediates of general formula (I), in which Y is amino, hydrogen, Cl, Br or SCH 3 , and R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are as defined in formula (I) can be prepared by procedures described in SCHEME I. In SCHEME I the starting material, alkyl orthoformate (1) , in which R' is a C 1 to C 4 alkyl group, is generally commercially available and the aniline (2) is usually also a commercial product or else it may be prepared following well-known literature procedures. The catalyst used for formimidate (3) formation is generally an inorganic acid such as hydrochloric acid or an organic acid such as p-toluenesulfonic acid. The reaction may be carried out at a temperature between -20°C and 180°C, preferably between 0°C and 120°C, in the presence of an inert organic solvent such as a hydrocarbon, a chlorinated hydrocarbon, an aromatic, an ether, an alcohol and the like or the alkyl orthoformate itself may be used as the solvent. The formimidate (3) may exist as a mixture of regioisomers. The intermediate formimidine (4) is prepared by reaction of the formimidate (3) with aminoacetonitrile or the hydrochloride salt thereof in the presence of a base and in an inert organic solvent preferably capable of providing a homogeneous solution for the reactants. Typical organic and inorganic bases are alkoxides, hydroxides, hydrides, carbonates of alkali or alkaline earth metals, and amines such as diisopropylamine, tripropylamine, etc. Solvents which may be employed include inert organic solvents such as alcohols (e.g., methanol or ethanol), ethers (e.g., diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane or diglyme), amines (e.g., triethylamine or pyridine) or water or combinations of these solvents. The reaction is usually conducted at a temperature between -20°C and 180°C, preferably between 20°C and 120°C. The intermediate formimidine (4) may either be isolated or cyclized in situ to imidazole (5) without isolation by further treatment with a base and under the conditions as described above, preferably using sodium methoxide in methanol at 20-25°C. Compounds of formulae (4) and (5) are useful as intermediates in the methods or processes of synthesis of compounds of formula (I) of the invention. The reaction of imidazole (5) with a sulfenyl halide, preferably chloride, R 1 SHalo, in which R 1 is defined above, to give (6) conveniently may be conducted in an inert aprotic organic solvent such as a chlorinated hydrocarbon, a hydrocarbon or an ether, preferably in dichloromethane, with or without an acid acceptor such as pyridine, any tertiary amine or an alkali metal carbonate. The reaction may be carried out between -25°C and 100°C depending on the boiling point of the sulfenyl halide reagent and the solvent. The desaminoimidazole (7) may be prepared by reacting the aminoimidazole (6) with an organic nitrite, such as t-butyl nitrite, in an organic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran between -20°C to 180°C, preferably between 10°C to 100°C. The oxidation of the sulfide (7) , n = 0, to the sulfoxide, n = 1, or sulfone (8) , n = 2, may be carried out by using an appropriate quantity of peracetic acid, trifluoroperacetic acid, m-chloroperbenzoic acid, hydrogen peroxide, a combination of peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide, or potassium peroxymonosulfate which is commercially available as Oxone®. The reaction is usually conducted in an inert organic solvent typically between -30°C to 180°C. Specific procedures for introducing a Y substituent into a particular intermediate of formula (Ia) provide a compound of the invention of formula (I) wherein R 1 to R 3 and n are defined above. Method II A compound of formula (I), wherein Y, R 1 , n, R 2 and R 3 have the meanings defined above, can be alternatively prepared by the following procedures starting from the intermediate compound (Ib) to give an intermediate wherein the 4-position is substituted by thiocyano, ( 12 ), or is chlorosulfonyl, (9) . Either of these interemediates may be converted to the corresponding disulfide intermediate which is then converted to the corresponding sulfenyl compound, in which R 1 is as previously defined, which in turn may be oxidized to the corresponding sulfoxide or sulfone, in which n is 1 or 2. a) An intermediate of the formula (9) , in which Y, R 2 and R 3 have the meanings defined in the definition of formula (I), can be prepared from an intermediate compound of the formula (Ib) in which Y, R 2 and R 3 are defined herein above, by treatment with chlorosulfonic or dichlorosulfonic acid. The reaction can be carried out in the presence of organic solvents such as methylene chloride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride or dimethylformamide or using chlorosulfonic acid as solvent at a reaction temperature from -10°C to 160°C. A representative procedure for chlorosulfonation of an aromatic compound is reported in J. March, "Advanced Organic Chemistry", McGraw-Hill publ. (1968), p. 402. b) An intermediate disulfide compound of the formula ( 10 ), in which the definitions of Y, R 2 and R 3 are those given for the definition of formula (I), can be prepared from the compound of the formula ( 9 ) by treatment with a reducing agent, such as triphenylphosphine, in the presence of an organic solvent, such as tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane or toluene at a reaction temperature from -10°C to 120°C. A representative example of a procedure for the reduction to p-tolyldisulfide is reported in J. Org. Chem. 1980, 45, 4792. Alternatively, disulfenylation can be effected using a metal carbonyl such as hexacarbonylmolybedium in anhydrous tetramethyurea. The procedure of this reaction is reported by H. Alper, Angew. Chem. Internat. Edit, 8. 677, 1969. c) A compound of the formula (I), wherein the definition of Y, R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are those given for the definition of formula (I), can be prepared by the reaction of a compound of the formula ( 10 ) and a corresponding perhaloalkane Halo R 1 ( 11 ) selected from Halo CF 3 , Halo CF 2 Cl, or Halo CFCl 2 wherein Halo is Cl, Bror I with a reducing agent which can promote the formation of the free radical CF 3 , CF 2 Cl or CFCl 2 . The reducing agent is preferably chosen from a metal consisting of zinc, aluminum, cadmium, manganese or a compound with an oxide of sulfur, e.g., a dithionite or a hydroxymethylsulfinate. The alkaline dithonite, alkaline earth or the metal dithionite corresponds to the formula M n (S 2 O 4 ), in which n can be 1 or 2 depending upon the valence of the metal M. When a dithionite or a hydroxymethylsulfinate is used, a base is needed. The base can be chosen from among an alkaline hydroxide, alkali earth hydroxide, ammonia, alkylamine, triethylbenzylammonium or the salt of weak acids such as disodium phosphate, sodium metabisulfite, sodium hydrogen sulfite or sodium borate. The solvents used for the reaction are those which can solubilize the dithionite or the hydroxymethylsulfinate, and the compounds (10) and (11) . Useful solvents are acetonitrile, dimethylformamide, formamide, dimethylacetamide, hexamethylphosphoramide, N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethylsulfoxide or sulfolane. The reaction temperature is from 10°C to 100°C. Typical procedures are similar to those reported by A. Maggiolo, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1951, 5815 and by P.W. Feit, Acta. Chem. Scan., 16, 1962, 297. The reaction is represented by the following equation: d) The intermediate compound of formula (I) in which the 4-position is substituted by cyanothio and Y, R 2 and R 3 have the meanings given in the definition of formula (I), may be prepared from a compound of formula (Ib) by treatment with bromine and an alkali thiocyanate such as potassium thiocyanate in a suitable solvent such as methanol at a temperature from -78°C to room temperature. The solvent should be inert to and capable of solvolyzing the reactants. e) Alternatively, the compound of formula (I) wherein n=0 may be prepared by a sequence of oxidation of a compound of formula ( 12 ) to form an intermediate disulfide compound of formula ( 10 ), which can then be converted into its corresponding haloalkylsulfenyl compound of formula (I) wherein n=0. The oxidation can be achieved using an oxidizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide in the presence of an alkali hydroxide, such as sodium hydroxide, or an amine such as ammonia in a suitable solvent, such as an alcohol, water, tetrahydrofuran, a halogenated alkane or mixed solvent thereof, at a reaction temperature from -70°C to 55°C. Typical procedures are reported by A. Maggiolo, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1951, 5815 and by P. W. Feit, Acta. Chem. Scan., 16, 1962, 297. The haloalkylsulfenyl compound of formula (I) wherein n=0 can be prepared by reacting the disulfide intermediate compound with an appropriate perhaloalkane. optionally in the presence of a reducing agent such as a metal consisting of zinc, aluminum, cadmium or manganese. f) A further compound of formula (I), wherein n=0 and Y, R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are as defined by formula (I), can be prepared by treating a compound of formula (12) with an appropriate reagent of formula R 1 Halo, in which R 1 is defined above, in a suitable solvent such as an alcohol, preferably the corresponding alkyl alcohol, in the presence of a base catalyst such as an alkali hydroxide or alkali carbonate at a reaction temperature from -20°C to 75°C. g) A compound of formula (I), wherein n = 1 or 2 and Y, R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are as defined in formula (I), can be prepared from a compound of formulae (I) wherein n=0 by the oxidation procedures described, for example in Method I. Method Generalizations It is understood that, for example, the sequence of the synthetic chemical steps may be performed in a different order as appropriate, suitable protecting groups may be employed, and substitutent groups may be incorporated when convenient. In the description of process methods, when symbols appearing in a formula are not specifically-defined, it is also to be understood that they are "as herein before defined" in accordance with the first definition of each symbol in this specification. In an overall/global manner the foregoing Methods of synthesis may be represented by the following processes P 1 to P 3 of the invention which are described as follows: P 1 . A process of preparation of a compound of formula (Ia), wherein R 1 , n, R 2 and R 3 are as defined in formula (I), wherein a compound of formula (5) , wherein R 2 and R 3 are as defined above and in which amino is optionally protected as required, is first reacted with a sulfenyl halide, R 1 SHalo in which R 1 is as defined above, in an organic reaction medium, optionally in the presence of an acid acceptor such as a tertiary amine to obtain a compound of formula (Ia), wherein R 1 is as defined above, which is then optionally oxidized by known methods such as by a peroxide, to obtain a compound of formula (Ia), wherein n is 1 or 2 and R 1 is as defined above. P 2 . A process of preparation of a compound of formula (I), wherein Y, R 1 , n, R 2 and R 3 are as hereinbefore defined, wherein a compound of formula (Ib), in which R 1 , n, R 2 and R 3 are as defined above and in which S(O) n R 1 , the H atom at the 2-position of the imidazole ring and amino are optionally protected as required, is deaminated by known procedures, such as with an alkylnitrite to convert the compound, in which Y is amino, into its corresponding diazonium salt, followed by quenching the diazonium salt with a quenching agent according to known procedures to obtain a compound of formula (I), in which Y is H, Cl, Br or SCH 3 . P 3 . A process of preparation of a compound of formula (I), wherein Y, R 1 , n, R 2 and R 3 are as hereinbefore defined, wherein a compound of formula (Ib), wherein Y, R 2 and R 3 are as hereinbefore defined and in which Y and the H atom at the 2-position of the imidazole ring are optionally protected as required: a) is first reacted with a mixture of bromine and a metal thiocyanate to give an intermediate compound corresponding to formula (I), wherein the 4-position is substituted by thiocyano, which then is treated with a corresponding a haloalkylating agent, optionally in the presence of a base to directly give a compound of formula (I) in which n is 0, or optionally the intermediate compound, wherein the 4-substituent is thiocyano, is first oxidized to a corresponding intermediate disulfide compound which is then reacted with the perhaloalkane, optionally in the presence of a reducing agent, to give a compound of formula (I) in which n is 0, and finally the compound in which n is 0 is optionally oxidized by known methods similar to those of process P 1 a to obtain the sulfoxide or sulfone analog, that is a compound of formula (I) in which n is 1 or 2; or b) is first reacted according to known procedures, for example with chlorosulfonic or dichlorosulfonic acid, to convert the compound of formula (Ib), in which the 4-position is unsubstituted, to an intermediate compound corresponding to formula (I), in which the 4-position substituted by chlorosulfonyl, then the chlorosulfonyl compound is reacted with a reducing agent such as triphenylphosphine to give the same disulfide intermediate described above in part a) above, then finally the disulfide is converted by the procedures described above in part a) above to give a compound of formula (I) in which n is 0, or optionally the compound of formula (I) in which n is 0 is oxidized to give a compound of formula (I) in which n is 1 or 2. DETAILED SYNTHESIS EXAMPLES The following COMPOUND EXAMPLES 1 to 15 illustrate the compounds of formula (I) of the invention. Details of typical methods of synthesis utilized in the preparation of intermediates and compounds of the invention are specifically provided below for representative compounds of COMPARISON REFERENCE EXAMPLES A to J . The other compounds were prepared using similar methods of synthesis or modifications thereof of the detailed procedures as applicable to a given compound. These compound examples are listed in TABLE 1 wherein the compounds are grouped by the phenyl ring substitution shown below, with R 1 , n, and as defined. Reported melting points for compounds represent the average value of an observed melting point range determined for a compound or furthermore represent the average value of a number of separate melting point determinations. Additionally, one or more spectroscopic analyses (IR, NMR, GC/MS, etc.) have been performed on each compound for characterization and confirmation of the chemical structure. PHENYL RING SUBSTITUTION GROUP IN TABLE 1 R 2 R 3 1 Br Br 2 Cl Cl COMPARISON REFERENCE EXAMPLE A Preparation of 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-5-amino-4-trifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole. Process SCHEME I: a) Preparation of intermediate: ethyl N-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)formimidate. To 1.09 g (4.6 mmole) of 2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylaniline was added conc. HC1 (0.46 mmole) and 1.04 g (7.0 mmole) of triethylorthoformate. The resulting mixture was stirred and then it was heated to 85°C and evaporated under vacuum. The residue was analyzed by 1 H NMR which indicated the desired structure- 1 H NMR (CDCL 3 ) : δ 1.42 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 3H), 4.47 (q, J=7.0 Hz, 2H), 7.57 (s, 3H). This compound was used in the next step without further purification. b) Preparation of intermediate: cyanomethyl N-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)formimidine. To a solution of 20.20 g (0.218 mole) of aminoacetonitrile hydrochloride in 500 ml of methanol was added at 0°C 11.79g (0.218 mole) of sodium methoxide. The mixture was stirred at RT for 30 min. and then evaporated to dryness under vacuum. The residue was extracted twice with 400 ml of diethyl ether and the ethereal solution was added to 62.45g (0.218 mole) of ethyl N-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)formimidate at RT. The solvent was evaporated, 400ml of tetrahydrofuran was added, and the mixture was heated to reflux for 18 h. The solvent was then evaporated and the residue partitioned between water and methylene chloride. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was finally purified by flash column chromatography using 20% ethyl acetate in hexane, followed by elution with 30% ethyl acetate in hexane to give 24 g (37.25% yield) of the desired product. 1 H NMR (CDCL 3 ): δ 4.40 (s, 2H), 7.55 (s, 2H), 7.59 (s, 1H). c) Preparation of intermediate: 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-5-aminoimidazole. To a solution of 4.4g (14.91 mmole) of cyanomethyl N-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)formimidine in 400 ml of methanol was added 81 mg (14.91 mmole) of sodium methoxide at 4°C. The mixture was stirred at RT for 3 h. The mixture was then evaporated to dryness to give the desired product (100% yield)- 1 HNMR (CDCL 3 /acetone-d 6 ): δ 3.43 (s, 2H), 6.68 (s, 1H), 7.28 (s, 1H), 7.88 (2H). d) Preparation of 1-(2.6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-5-amino-4-trifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole. To a solution of 4.8g (14.91 mmole) of 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-5-aminoimidazole in 400 ml of methylene chloride was added 1.3 ml (14.91 mmole) of trifluoromethanesulfenyl chloride at 0°C. The mixture was stirred at 0°C for 4 h and then at RT for 15 h. Water was added and the mixture was partitioned between water and methylene chloride. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent removed. The residue was recrystallized from methylene chloride to give 3.36g (52.51% yield) of the desired product., mp 134°C. Anal. C 11 H 5 Cl 2 F 6 N 3 S. Calc. C, 33.35; H, 1.27; N, 10.61; S 8.09. Found C, 33.54; H, 1.20; N, 10.67; S 8.37. COMPARISON REFERENCE EXAMPLE B Preparation of 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-5-amino-2-chloro-4-trifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole. To a solution of 6.0 g (15.15 mmole) of 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-5-amino-4-trifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole in 100 ml of methylene chloride was added 1.70 ml (18.18 mmole) of sulfuryl chloride at 0°C. The resulting mixture was stirred at RT for 5 days under a nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was quenched with water, then partitioned between methylene chloride and aqueous sodium bicarbonate. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent was removed. The residue was purified by column chromatography using 20% ethyl acetate in hexane to give 1.9 g (31.62% yield) of the desired product, mp 172.5°C. COMPARISON REFERENCE EXAMPLE C Preparation of 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-2-chloro-4-trifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole. To a solution of 2.0g (4.64 mmole) of 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-5-amino-2-chloro-4-trifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole in 40 ml of tetrahydrofuran was added 2.76 ml (23.2 mmole) of t-butylnitrite. The resulting mixture was heated to reflux under a nitrogen atmosphere for 2 h. The mixture was evaporated to dryness and the residue was purified by column chromatography using 10% ethyl acetate in hexane to give 1.6g (83.0% yield) of the desired product, mp 112°C. Anal. C 11 H 3 Cl 3 F 6 N 2 S. Calc C, 31.79; H, 0.73; N, 6.74; F, 27.43. Found C, 31.71; H, 0.68; N, 6.75; F, 27.65. COMPARISON REFERENCE EXAMPLE D Preparation of 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-2-chloro-4-trifluoromethylsulphinylimidazole. To a solution of 800 mg (1.93 mmole) of 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-2-chloro-4-trifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole in trifluoroacetic acid was added 0.20 ml of 30% hydrogen peroxide at 0°C. The resulting mixture was stirred at 0°C for 4 h and then at RT for 50 h. The mixture was evaporated at RT and the residue was partitioned between methylene chloride and a saturated aqueous sodium bisulfite solution. The organic layer was washed with an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and the organic layer was evaporated. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel using 5% ethyl acetate in hexane. After the solvent was removed there was obtained 300 mg (36.02% yield) of the desired product as a white solid, mp 147.5°C. Anal. C 11 H 3 Cl 3 F 6 N 2 OS. Calc. C, 30.61; H, 0.70; N, 6.49; Cl, 24.64; F, 26.41; S, 7.43 Found C, 30.63; H, 0.83; N, 6.48; Cl, 24.83; F, 26.53; S, 7.78. COMPARISON REFERENCE EXAMPLE E Preparation of 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-2-chloro-4-trifluoromethylsulfonylimidazole. To a solution of 300 mg (0.72 mmole) of 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-2-chloro-4-trifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole in 5 ml of trifluoroacetic acid was added 0.15 ml (1.44 mmole) of 30% hydrogen peroxide at 0°C. The resulting mixture was stirred at RT for 4 days. The mixture was evaporated to remove trifluoroacetic acid and the residue was partitioned between methylene chloride and a saturated aqueous sodium bisulfite solution. The organic layer was washed with an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent was removed. The residue was purified by preparative TLC using 100% methylene chloride to give 190 mg (59.03% yield) of the desired product as white solid, mp 182.5°C. COMPARISON REFERENCE EXAMPLE F Preparation of 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-2-chloro-5-methylsulfenyl-4-trifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole. To a solution of 700 mg (1.77 mmole) of 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-5-amino-2-chloro-4-trifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole in 8 ml of chloroform was added 0.26 ml (2.54 mmole) of dimethyl disulfide and 0.32 ml (0.89 mmole) of t-butylnitrite at 0°C. The resulting mixture was stirred at 0°C for 15 min. and then at RT for 45 min.. The mixture was diluted with 75 ml of methylene chloride and partitioned between water and methylene chloride. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by preparative TLC using 5% ethyl acetate in hexane to give 480 mg (58.74% yield) of the desired product. 1 H NMR (CDCl 3 ): δ 2.26 (s, 3H), 7.82 (s, 2H). COMPARISON REFERENCE EXAMPLE G Preparation of 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-5-amino-2-bromo-4-trifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole. To a solution of 1.35g (3.40 mmole) of 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-5-amino-4-trifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole in 20 ml of chloroform was added 0.5 ml (9.76 mmole) of bromine. The resulting mixture was stirred at RT under a nitrogen atmosphere for 2 hr. The mixture was then evaporated to remove the excess of bromine and the residue was partioned between water and methylene chloride. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and solvent was removed. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel using 7% ethyl acetate in hexane to give 200 mg (13.62% yield) of the desired product, mp 154°C. COMPARISON REFERENCE EXAMPLE H Preparation of 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-5-bromo-4-trifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole. To a solution of 2.0g (5.05 mmole) of 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-5-amino-4-trifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole in 10 ml of acetonitrile was added 1 ml of bromoform and 1.20 ml (10.10 mmole) of t-butylnitrite at 0°C. The resulting mixture was stirred at RT under a nitrogen atmosphere for 1.5 h. Ten ml of toluene was added and the mixture was evaporated to dryness under vacuum. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel using 5% ethyl acetate in hexane to give 800 mg (34.44% yield) of the desired product, mp 87.5°C. Anal. C 11 H 3 BrCl 2 F 6 N 2 S. Calc. C, 28.72; H, 0.66; N, 6.09; F, 24.78; S, 6.97. Found C, 29.06; H, 0.69; N, 6.20; F, 24.2; S, 7.48. COMPARISON REFERENCE EXAMPLE I Preparation of 1-(6-chloro-2-methylsulfenyl-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-2-bromo-4-chlorodifluoromethylsulfonylimidazole. To a solution of 500 mg (0.984 mmole) of 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-2-bromo-4-chlorodifluoromethylsulfonyl-imidazole in 2 ml of tetrahydrofuran was added a solution of 69 mg (0.984 mmole) of sodium methanethiolate in 0.3 ml of water. The resulting mixture was stirred at RT for 14 hours, after which it was partitioned between water and diethyl ether. The organic layer was separated, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and stripped of solvent. The residue was purified by preparative TLC using 20% ethyl acetate in hexane to give 180 mg (35% yield) of the product, mp 116°C. COMPARISON REFERENCE EXAMPLE J Preparation of 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-2-methyl-4-chlorodifluoromethvlsulfenvlimidazole. a) Preparation of intermediate: N-acetyl-2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylaniline. To 10.6 g (0.26 mole) of dry potassiumin hydride in THF (150 ml) was added 20 g (87.3 mmole) of 2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylaniline at 0°C under a nitrogen atmosphere. The resulting mixture was stirred and warmed to room temperature for 3.5 h. The mixture was cooled to 0°C and 6.6 ml (92.8 mmole) of acetyl chloride was added dropwise. The mixture was stirred at 0°C for 30 min. The mixture was warmed to room temperature under a nitrogen atmosphere overnight. The mixture was quenched with satd. NH 4 Cl (150 ml). The mixture was evaporated to remove THF and the suspension was filtered and the solid washed with hexane, followed by a wash with dichloromethane to give 14.5 g( 61%) of the desired product. 1 H NMR, (CDCl 3 /CD 3 OD): δ 2.12(s, 3H), 7.60(s,2H). b) Preparation of intermediate: 1-chloro-1-methyl- N-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)formimine. To a suspension of 4.3 g (15.8 mmole) of N-acetyl-2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylaniline in 50 ml of chloroform was added 3.3 g (15.8 mmole) of phosphorous pentachloride at RT. The mixture was heated to reflux under a nitrogen atmosphere for 1 h. The mixture was evaporated to dryness. To the residue was added 50 ml of benzene. The resulting mixture was heated to reflux for 1 h. under a nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was evaporated to dryness and the residue purified by a column chromatography on silica gel using 10% ethyl acetate in hexane to yield 4.3 g (93.7% yield) of the desired product as an oil. 1 H NMR, (CDCl 3 ): δ 2.70(s, 3H), 7.58(s, 2H). c) Preparation of intermediate : 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-5-amino-2-methylimidazole. To a solution of 9.6g (33.0 mmole) of 1-chloro-1-methyl-N-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)formimine in 300 ml of chloroform was added 3.7g (66.0 mmole) of aminoacetonitrile at RT. The resulting mixture was heated to reflux under a nitrogen atmosphere for 60 h. The reaction mixture was used in the following step without purification. The 1 H NMR spectrum indicated approximately 60% conversion based on the starting iminochloride. 1 H NMR, (CDCl 3 ) : δ 2.13(s, 3H), 6.58(s, 1H), 7.76(s, 2H). d) Preparation of 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)5-amino-2-methyl-4-chlorodifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole. To the reaction mixture, described above in (c), was added 5.8 ml (57.7 mmole) of chlorodifluoromethanesulfenyl chloride at RT. The mixture was stirred at RT for 3.5 h. The mixture was quenched with water. The mixture was partitioned between water and dichloro methane. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent evaporated to give the desired product. The crude product was used in the following step without further purification. e) Preparation of the 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-2-methyl-4-chlorodifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole. To the crude product, described above in (d), was added 100 ml of THF, followed by addition of 19.6 ml (165 mmole) of t-butylnitrite. The mixture was stirred at RT under a nitrogen atmosphere with protection from light overnight. The mixture was evaporated to dryness. The residue was purified by a flash column chromatography using 10% ethyl acetate in hexane to give 1.3 g (9.46% yield from the imino chloride. described in (b)) of the desired product, mp 118.5°C. SYNTHESIZED IMIDAZOLE COMPOUNDS OF FORMULA (I) CMPD. OF EXAMPLE Substituent R 1 n Y M.P.,°C Group 1: R 2 and R 3 are Br 1 CClF 2 0 Br 82 Group 2: R 2 and R 3 are Cl 2 CCl 2 F 0 SCH 3 OIL 3 CCl 2 F 0 Br OIL 4 CClF 2 0 SCH 3 OIL 5 CClF 2 0 Br OIL 6 CCl 2 F 0 Cl OIL 7 CCl 2 F 2 H 165.5 8 CF 3 0 Br 64 9 CF 3 1 Br 158 10 CF 3 2 Br 118.5 11 CF 3 1 Cl 116 12 CClF 2 1 Br 129.5 13 CClF 2 2 Br 104.5 14 CCl 2 F 1 Br 118.5 15 CCl 2 F 2 Br 129.5 MITICIDE, INSECTICIDE, AND NEMATICIDE USE The following test procedures, using the compounds of EXAMPLES 1-15 , were conducted to determine the pesticidal use and activity of compounds of the invention against: mites; certain insects, including an aphids, a caterpillar, a fly, and three species of beetle larvae (two foliar feeding and the other root feeding); and nematodes. The specific species tested were as follows: GENUS, SPECIES COMMON NAME (ABBREVIATION) Tetranychus urticae twospotted spider mite TSM Aphis nasturtii buckthorn aphid BA Spodoptera eridania southern armyworm SAW Epilachna varivestis Mexican bean beetle MBB Musca domestica housefly HF Diabrotica u. howardi southern corn rootworm SCRW Meloidogyne incognita southern root-knot nematode SRKN Leptinotarsa decemlineata Colorado potato beetle CPB Aphis gossypii cotton aphid CA Formulations: The test compounds (EXAMPLES 1-15) were formulated for use according to the following methods used for each of the test procedures. For mite, aphid, southern armyworm, and Mexican bean beetle tests, a solution or suspension was prepared by adding 10 mg of the test compound to a solution of 160 mg of dimethylformamide, 838 mg of acetone, 2 mg of a 3:1 ratio of Triton X-172 : Triton X-152 (respectively, mainly anionic and nonionic low foam emulsifiers which are each anhydrous blends of alkylaryl polyether alcohols with organic sulfonates), and 98.99 g of water. The result was a concentration of 100 ppm of the test compound. For housefly tests, the formulation was initially prepared in a similar manner to the above, but in 16.3 g of water with corresponding adjustment of other components, providing a 200 ppm concentration. Final dilution with an equal volume of a 20% by weight aqueous solution of sucrose provided a 100 ppm concentration of the test compound. When necessary, sonication was provided to insure complete dispersion. For southern corn rootworm tests, a solution or suspension was prepared in the same manner as that used for the initial 200 ppm concentration for housefly. Aliquots of this 200 ppm formulation were then used by dilution with water according to the required test concentration. For southern root-knot nematode and systemic tests for southern armyworm, Colorado potato beetle and cotton aphid, a stock solution or suspension was prepared by adding 15 mg of the test compound to 250 mg of dimethylformamide, 1250 mg of acetone and 3 mg of the emulsifier blend referenced above. Water was then added to bring the total volume to 45 ml and a test compound concentration of 333 ppm. When necessary, sonication was provided to insure complete dispersion. Test Procedures: The above formulated test compounds were then evaluated for their pesticidal activity at the specified concentrations, in ppm (parts per million) by weight, according to the following test procedures: Twospotted spider mite: Leaves infested with adult and nymphal stages of the two-spotted spider mite, obtained from a stock culture were placed on the primary leaves of two bean plants growing in a 6 cm. peat pot. A sufficient number of mites (150-200) for testing were transferred to the fresh plants within a period of twenty-four hours. The potted plants (one pot per compound) were placed on a revolving turntable and sprayed, sufficient to wet the plants to runoff, with 100 ml of the 100 ppm test compound formulation by use of a DeVilbiss spray gun set at 40 psig. air pressure. As an untreated control, 100 ml of the water-acetone-DMF-emulsifier solution, containing no test compound, were also sprayed on infested plants. A treated control with a commercial technical compound, either dicofol or hexythiazox, formulated in the same manner. was tested as a standard. The sprayed plants were held for six days, after which a mortality count of motile forms was made. Twospotted spider mite (ovicide test): Eggs were obtained from adults of the twospotted spider mite from a stock culture. Heavily infested leaves from the stock culture were placed on uninfested bean plants. Females were allowed to oviposit for a period of about 24 hours, after which the leaves of the plant were dipped into a solution of TEPP (tetraethyl diphosphate) in order to kill the motile forms and prevent additional egg laying. This dipping procedure, which was repeated after the plants dried, did not affect the viability of the eggs. The potted plants (one pot per compound) were placed on a revolving turntable and sprayed, sufficient to wet the plants to runoff, with 100 ml of the 100 ppm test compound formulation by use of a DeVilbiss spray gun set at 40 psig. air pressure. As an untreated control, 100 ml of the water-acetone-DMF-emulsifier solution, containing no test compound, were also sprayed on infested plants. A treated control with a commercial technical compound, typically demeton, formulated in the same manner, was tested as a standard. The sprayed plants were held for seven days, after which a mortality count of egg forms was made along with notations on residual activity on hatched larvae. Buckthorn aphid: Adult and nymphal stages of buckthorn aphid were reared on potted dwarf nasturtium plants. The potted plants (one pot per compound tested) infested with 100-150 aphids, were placed on a revolving turntable and sprayed with 100 ml of the 100 ppm test i compound formulation by use of a DeVilbiss spray gun set at 40 psig air pressure. As an untreated control, 100 ml of a water-acetone-DMF-emulsifier solution, containing no test compound, were also sprayed on infested plants. A treated control with a commercial technical compound, malathion, formulated in the same manner, was tested as a standard. After spraying, the pots were stored for one day after which the dead aphids were counted. Southern armyworm: Potted bean plants, were placed on a revolving turntable and sprayed with 100 ml of the 100 ppm test compound formulation by use of a DeVilbiss spray gun set at 40 psig air pressure. As an untreated control, 100 ml of a water-acetone-DMF-emulsifier solution, containing no test compound, were also sprayed on plants. A treated control with a commercial technical compound, either cypermethrin or sulprofos, formulated in the same manner, was tested as a standard. When dry, the leaves were placed in plastic cups lined with moistened filter paper. Five randomly selected second instar southern armyworm larvae were introduced into each cup which was closed and held for five days. Larvae which were unable to move the length of the body, even upon stimulation by prodding, were considered dead. Southern armyworm and Colorado potato beetle on tomato - systemic evaluation: This test was conducted in conjunction with the southern root-knot nematode evaluation (discussed below). The tomato plants, grown in the soil (at an initial compound test screening rate of 13.2 ppm soil concentration or about 150 ppm solution concentration) for nematode evaluation, were then utilized for evaluation of a compound's uptake via roots and subsequent systemic transport to the tomato foliage. At the termination of the nematode test, the tomato foliage was excised, placed into a plastic container, and infested with second instar larvae of southern armyworm. After about 5 days, the larvae were examined for percent mortality. Foliage which was sufficiently lethal for SAW was then feed to second instar larvae of Colorado potato beetle. After about 2 days, the larvae were examined for percent mortality. Southern armyworm and cotton aphid on cotton and sorghum-systemic evaluation : The stock solution of the compound was prepared as in the above systemic tests and diluted, as appropriate, to deliver 5 ml of a 10 ppm soil concentration dose as a drench to 6 cm pots containing cotton and sorghum plants. The cotton plants were previously infested with cotton aphids about 2 day before treatment. After holding the plants about 4 days, the cotton aphids were counted and mortality was assessed. The cotton and sorghum foliage was excised, and placed in separate plastic containers, and infested with second instar larvae of southern armyworm. After about 5 days, the larvae were examined for percent mortality. Mexican bean beetle: Potted bean plants were placed on a revolving turntable and sprayed with 100 ml of the 100 ppm test compound formulation, sufficient to wet the plants to runoff, by use of a DeVilbiss spray gun set at 40 psig air pressure. As an untreated control, 100 ml of a water-acetone-DMF-emulsifier solution, containing no test compound, were also sprayed on plants. A treated control with a commercial technical compound, either cypermethrin or sulprofos, formulated in the same manner, was tested as a standard. When dry, the leaves were placed in plastic cups lined with moistened filter paper. Five randomly selected second instar Mexican bean beetle larvae were introduced into each cup which was closed and held for five days. Larvae which were unable to move the length of the body, even upon stimulation by prodding, were considered dead. House fly: Four to six day old adult house flies were reared according to the specifications of the Chemical Specialties Manufacturing Association (Blue Book, McNair-Dorland Co., N.Y. 1954; pages 243-244, 261) under controlled conditions. The flies were immobilized by anesthetizing with carbon dioxide and twenty five immobilized individuals, males and females, were transferred to a cage consisting of a standard food strainer and a wrapping-paper-covered surface. Ten ml of the 100 ppm test compound formulation were added to a soufflé cup containing an absorbent cotton pad. As an untreated control, 10 ml of a water-acetone-DMF-emulsifier-sucrose solution, containing no test compound, were applied in a similar manner. A treated control with a commercial technical compound, malathion, formulated in the same manner, was tested as a standard. The bait cup was introduced inside the food strainer prior to admitting the anesthetized flies. After 24 hours, flies which showed no sign of movement on stimulation were considered dead. Southern corn rootworm: Into a jar containing 60g of sandy loam soil was added 1.5 ml of an aqueous formulation consisting of an aliquot of the 200 ppm test compound formulation, diluted with water as appropriate for the final soil concentration of the test compound, 3.2 ml of water and five pregerminated corn seedlings. The jar was shaken thoroughly to obtain an even distribution of the test formulation. Following this, twenty southern corn rootworm eggs were placed into a cavity, which was made in the soil. Vermiculite(1 ml) and water (1.7ml) were then added to this cavity. In a similar manner, an untreated control was prepared by application of the same size aliquot of a water-acetone-DMF-emulsifier solution, containing no test compound. Additionally, a treated control with a commercial technical compound (selected typically from terbufos, fonofos, phorate, chlorpyrifos, carbofuran, isazophos, or ethoprop), formulated in the same manner was used as a test standard. After 7 days, the living rootworm larvae were counted using a well known "Berlese" funnel extraction method. Southern root-knot nematode: Infected roots of tomato plants, containing egg masses of southern root-knot nematode, were removed from a stock culture and cleaned of soil by shaking and washing with tap water. The nematode eggs were separated from the root tissue and rinsed with water. Samples of the egg suspension were placed on a fine screen over a receiving bowl, in which the water level was adjusted to be in contact with the screen. From the bowl, juveniles were collected on a fine screen. The bottom of a cone-shaped container was plugged with coarse vermiculite and then filled to within 1.5 cm of the top with about a 200 ml volume of pasteurized soil. Then into a hole made in the center of the soil in the cone was pipetted an aliquot of the 333 ppm test compound formulation. A treated control with a commerical technical compound, fenamifos, formulated in a similar manner, was tested as a standard. As an untreated control, an aliquot of a water-acetone-DMF-emulsifier solution, containing no test compound, was applied in a similar manner. Immediately after treatment of the soil with the test compound there were added to the top of each cone 1000 second stage juvenile southern root-knot nematodes. After 3 days, a single healthy tomato seedling was then transplanted into the cone. The cone, containing the infested soil and tomato seedling, was kept in the greenhouse for 3 weeks. At the termination of the test, roots of the tomato seedling were removed from the cone and evaluated for galling on a rating scale relative to the untreated control as follows: 1- severe galling, equal to untreated control 3- light galling 4- very light galling 5- no galling, ie, complete control These results were then converted to an ED 3 or ED 5 value (effective dose to provide a 3 or 5 gall rating). In general, or the field tests, an approximate 50% (500 g ai/l) suspension concentrate of the test compound is prepared utilizing the following components and preferred ranges: Wt. % Test Compound Active Ingredient 25-75 Rouge basoflex 3855 red dye colorant 0.5-5.0 Soprophor BC 10 ethoxylated nonylphenol wetting agent 2.0-8.0 Soprophor PS 19 ethoxylated alkyl-aryl and alcohol phosphate esters, K salt. dispersing agent 1.0-5.0 Rhodorsil 426R silicone antifoam 0.1-3.0 Rhodopol MD Xantham gum viscosity agent 0.1-0.3 Proxel GXL (19%) 1,2-benzisothiazolin -3-1-one preservative 0.1-0.3 Rhodoviol BM polyvinyl alcohol sticker 1.0-4.0 Alsi AD inert clay filler 10-50 Water solvent carrier 50-75 Use Results : Results of miticidal, insecticidal, and nematicidal activity for compound EXAMPLES 1 and 3 to 15 are set forth in TABLE 2 against the indicated test species (BA, SAW, MBB, HF, TSM: designated by common name abbreviations) and at the indicated dosage rates. The results in TABLE 2 are presented (by an X) as compounds which provide a 70-100% mortality against the indicated test species. The compounds of the invention also provide some other control of mites (TSM) where, for example, the compound of EXAMPLE 2 , at 100 ppm, gave 50-100% residual toxicity (mortality) to hatched larvae in the mite ovicide test. Compounds of the invention furthermore provide control of various mite species. Some of the compounds additionally exhibit systemic control of insect larvae and aphids via root uptake at the soil concentrations specified in the above protocols. Nematicidal activity is additionally provided by compounds of the invention. Furthermore, compounds of the invention exhibit reduced or antifeeding properties for some pest species, for example for foliar pests such as southern armyworm and Mexican bean beetle. The compounds of the invention have utility against various pest species at even lower rates, for example: for foliar application, rates in the range of 50-0.5ppm, or less, may be useful; for bait application, rates in the range of 50-0.05ppm, or less, may be useful; and for soil application, rates in the range of 1.0-0.01ppm, or less, may be useful. In the above discussion and the results reported in TABLE 2 , compounds according to the invention are applied at various concentrations. The use of a 1 ppm (concentration of the compound in parts per million of the test solution applied) foliar solution or suspension or emulsion corresponds approximately to an application of 1 g/ha of active ingredient, based upon an approximate spray volume of 1000 liters/ha (sufficient to run off). Thus applications of foliar sprays of from 6.25 to 500 ppm would correspond to 6-500 g/ha. For soil applications, a 1 ppm soil concentration, on the basis of a 7.5 cm soil depth, corresponds to an approximate 1000 g/ha broadcast field application. USE EXAMPLE OF PESTICIDAL ACTIVITY OF REPRESENTATIVE IMIDAZOLE COMPOUNDS PROVIDING 70-100% PEST MORTALITY CMPD. OF EXAMPLE Foliar or Bait Application at 100 ppm MBB TSM 1 X 3 X X 4 X X 5 X X 6 X 7 X 8 X 9 X 10 X 11 X 12 X 13 X 14 X 15 X X METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS As is evident from the foregoing pesticidal uses, the present invention provides pesticidally active compounds and methods of use of said compounds for the control of a number of pest species which includes: arthropods, especially insects or mites; plant nematodes; or helminth or protozoan pests. The compounds thus are advantageously employed in practical uses, for example, in agricultural or horticultural crops, forestry, veterinary medicine or livestock husbandry, or in public health. A feature of the present invention therefore provides a method of control of pests at a locus which comprises the treatment of the locus (e.g., by application or administration) with an effective amount of a compound of general formula (I), wherein the substituent groups are as hereinbefore defined. The locus includes, for example, the pest itself or the place (plant. animal, person, field, structure, premises, forest, orchard, waterway, soil, plant or animal product, or the like) where the pest resides or feeds. The compounds of this invention are preferably used to control soil insects, such as corn rootworm, termites (especially for protection of structures), root maggots, wireworms, root weevils, stalkborers, cutworms, root aphids, or grubs. They may also be used to provide activity against plant pathogenic nematodes, such as root-knot, cyst, dagger, lesion, or stem or bulb nematodes, or against mites. For the control of soil pests, for example corn rootworm, the compounds are advantageously applied to or incorporated at an effective rate into the soil in which crops are planted or to be planted or to the seeds or growing plant roots. Furthermore, these compounds may be useful in the control via foliar application or systemic action of some arthropods, especially some insects or mites, which feed on the above ground portions of plants. Control of foliar pests may additionally be provided by application to the plant roots or plant seeds with subsequent systemic translocation to the above ground portions of the plants. In the area of public health, the compounds are especially useful in the control of many insects, especially filth flies or other Dipteran pests. such as houseflies, stableflies, soldierflies, hornflies, deerflies, horseflies. midges, punkies, blackflies, or mosquitoes. Compounds of the invention may be used in the following applications and on the following pests including arthropods, especially insects or mites, nematodes, or helminth or protozoan pests: In the protection of stored products, for example cereals, including grain or flour, groundnuts, animal feedstuffs, timber or household goods, e.g. carpets and textiles, compounds of the invention are useful against attack by arthropods, more especially beetles, including weevils, moths or mites, for example Ephestia spp. (flour moths), Anthrenus spp. (carpet beetles), Tribolium spp. (flour beetles), Sitophilus spp. (grain weevils) or Acarus spp. (mites). In the control of cockroaches, ants or termites or similar arthropod pests in infested domestic or industrial premises or in the control of mosquito larvae in waterways, wells, reservoirs or other running or standing water. For the treatment of foundations, structures or soil in the prevention of the attack on building by termites, for example. Reticulitermes spp., Heterotermes spp., Coptotermes spp.. In agriculture against adults, larvae and eggs of Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), e.g. Heliothis spp. such as Heliothis virescens (tobacco budworm), Heliothis armigera and Heliothis zea , Spodoptera spp. such as S. exempta, S. frugiperda, S. exiqua, S. littoralis (Egyptian cotton worm), S. eridania (southern army worm), and Mamestra configurata (bertha army worm); Earias spp. e.g. E. insulana (Egyptian bollworm), Pectinophora spp. e.g. Pectinophora gossypiella (pink bollworm), Ostrinia spp. such as O. nubilalis (European cornborer), Trichoplusia ni (cabbage looper), Artogeia spp. (cabbage worms), Laphygma spp. (army worms), Agrotis and Amathes spp. (cutworms), Wiseana spp. (porina moth), Chilo spp. (rice stem borer), Tryporyza spp. and Diatraea spp. (sugar cane borers and rice borers), Sparganothis pilleriana (grape berry moth), Cydia pomonella (codling moth), Archips spp. (fruit tree tortrix moth), Plutella xylostella (diamond back moth), Bupalus piniarius. Cheimatobia brumata, Lithocolletis blancardella. Hyponomeuta padella, Plutella maculipennis. Malacosoma neustria. Euproctis chrysorrhoea. Lymantria spp. Bucculatrix thurberiella. Phyllocnistis citrella. Euxoa spp., Feltia brassicae. Panolis flammea, Prodenia litura. Carpocapsa pomonella. Pyrausta nubilalis. Ephestia kuehniella. Galleria mellonella. Tineola bisselliella. Tinea pellionella. Hofmannophila pseudospretella. Cacoecia podana. Capus reticulana, Choristoneura fumiferana. Clysia ambiguellis, Homona magnanime and Tortix viridana. Against adults and larvae of Coleoptera (beetles) e.g. Hypothenemus hampei (coffee berry borer), Hylesinus spp. (bark beetles), Anthonomus spp. e.g. grandis (cotton boll weevil), Acalymma spp. (cucumber beetles), Lema spp., Psylliodes spp., Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Colorado potato beetle), Diabrotica spp. (corn rootworms), Gonocephalum spp. (false wire worms), Agriotes spp., Limonius spp. (wireworms), Dermolepida spp., Popillia spp., Heteronychus spp. (white grubs), Phaedon cochleariae (mustard beetle), Epitrix spp. (flea beetles), Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus (rice water weevil), Meligethes spp. (pollen beetles), Ceutorhynchus spp., Rhynchophorus and Cosmopolites spp. (root weevils), Anobium punctatum, Rhizopertha dominica, Bruchidius obtectus. Acanthoscelides obtectus. Hylotrupes bajulus, Agelastica alni. Psylliodes chrysocephala. Epilachna varivestis. Atomaria spp., Oryzaephilus surinamensis. Sitophilus spp., Otiorrhynchus sulcatus, Cosmoplites sordidus, Ceuthorrhynchus assimilis, Hypera postica, Dermestes spp., Trogoderma spp., Anthrenus spp., Attagenus spp., Lyctus spp., Maligethes aeneus, Ptinus spp., Niptus hololeucrus, Gibbium psylloides. Tribolium spp., Tenebrio molitor, Conoderus spp., Melolontha melolontha. Amphimallon solstitialis and Costelytra zealandica. Against Heteroptera (Hemiptera and Homoptera) e.g. Psylla spp., Bemisia spp., Trialeurodes spp., Aphis spp., Myzus spp., Megoura viciae, Phylloxera spp., Adelges spp., Phorodon humuli (hop damson aphid), Aeneolamia spp., Nephotettix spp. (rice leaf hoppers), Empoasca spp., Nilaparvata spp., Perkinsiella spp., Pyrilla spp., Aonidiella spp. (red scales), Coccus spp., Pseucoccus spp., Helopeltis spp. (mosquito bugs), Lygus spp., Dysdercus spp., Oxycarenus spp., Nezara spp., Eurygaster spp., Piesma quadrata . Cimex lectularius, Rhodnius prolixus and Triatoma spp. Aspidiotus hederae, Aeurodes brassicae, Brevicoryne brassicae. Cryptomyzus ribis, Doralis fabae, Doralis pomi., Eriosoma lanigerum, Hyalopterus arundinis. Macrosiphum avenae, Phorodon humuli, Rhopalosiphum padi , Euscelis bilobatus, Nephotettix cincticeps, Lecanium corni, Saissetia oleae. Laodelphax striatellus. Against Hymenoptera e.g. Athalia spp. and Cephus spp. (saw flies), Atta spp. (leaf cutting ants), Diprion spp., Hopolocampa spp., Lasius spp., Monomorium spp., Polistes spp., Vespa spp., Vespula spp., and Solenopsis spp.. Against Diptera e.g. Delia spp. (root maggots), Atherigona spp. and Chlorops spp., Sarcophaga spp., Musca spp, Phormia spp., Aedes spp.. Anopheles spp., Simulium spp., (shoot flies), Phytomyza spp. (leaf miners), Ceratitis spp. (fruit flies), Culex spp., Drosophila melanogaster. Ceratitis capitata, Dacus oleae. Tipula paludosa, Calliphora erythrocephala, Lucilia spp., Chrysomyia spp., Cuterebra spp., Gastrophilus spp ., Hyppobosca spp., Stomoxys spp., Oestrus spp., Hypoderma spp ., Tabanus spp., Fannia spp., Bibio hortulanus, Oscinella frit. Phorbia spp ., Pegomyia hyoscyani. Against Thysanoptera such as Thrips tabaci. Hercinothrips femoralis, and Frankliniella spp.. Against Orthoptera such as Locusta and Schistocerca spp., (locusts and crickets) e.g. Gryllus spp., and Acheta spp. for example, Blatta orientalis. Periplaneta americana. Leucophaea maderae. Blatella germanica, Acheta domesticus, Gryllotalpa spp., Locusta migratoria migratorioides. Melanoplus differentialis and Schistocerca gregaria. Against Collembola e.g. Sminthurus spp. and Onychiurus spp. (springtails); Periplaneta spp. and Blattela spp. (roaches). Against Isoptera e.g. Odontotermes spp., Reticuletermes spp., Coptotermes spp. (termites). Against Dermaptera e.g. Forticula sp. (earwigs). Against arthropods of agricultural significance such as Acari (mites) e.g. Tetranychus spp., Panonychus spp., Bryobia spp. (spider mites), Ornithonyssus spp. (fowl mites), Eriophyes spp. (gall mites). and Polyphadotarsonemus supp.. Against Thysanura, for example Lepisma saccharia. Against Anoplura for example, Phylloxera vastatrix. Pemphigus spp., Pediculus humanus corporis. Haematopinus spp. and Linognathus spp.. Against Mallophaga, for example, Trichodectes spp. and Damalinea spp.. Against Siphonoptera, for example, Xenopsylla cheopis and Ceratophyllus spp.. Against other arthopods, such as Blaniulus spp. (millipedes). Scutigerella spp. (symphilids), Oniscus spp. (woodlice) and Triops spp. (crustacea). Against Isopoda, for example, Oniseus asellus. Armadillidium vulgare and Porcellio scaber. Against Chilopoda, for example, Geophilus carpophagus and Scutigera spex., Against nematodes which attack plants or trees of importance to agriculture, forestry or horticulture either directly or by spreading bacterial, viral, mycoplasma or fungal diseases of the plants. For example root-knot nematodes such as Meloidogyne spp. (e.g. M. incognita ); cyst nematodes such as Globodera spp. (e.g. G. rostochiensis ); Heterodera spp. (e.g. H. avenae ); Radopholus spp. (e.g. R. similis ; lesion nematodes such as Pratylenchus spp. (e.g. P. pratensis ); Belonolaimus spp. (eg. B. gracilis ); Tylenchulus spp. (e.g. T. semipenetrans); Rotylenchulus spp. (e.g. R. reniformis ); Rotylenchus spp. (R. robustus ); Helicotylenchus spp. (e.g. H. multicinctus ); Hemicycliophora spp. (e.g. H. gracilis ); Criconemoides spp. (e.g. C. similis); Trichodorus spp. (e.g. T. primitivus ); dagger nematodes such as Xiphinema spp. (e.g. X. diversicaudatum ), Longidorus spp. (e.g. L. elongatus); Hoplolaimus spp. (e.g. H. coronatus ); Aphelenchoides spp. (e.g. A. ritzema-bosi . A. besseyi ); stem and bulb eelworm such as Ditylenchus spp. (e.g. D. dipsaci ). In the field of veterinary medicine or livestock husbandry or in the maintenance of public health against arthropods, helminths or protozoa which are parasitic internally or externally upon vertebrates, particularly warm-blooded vertebrates, for example man or domestic animals, e.g. cattle, sheep, goats, equines, swine, poultry, dogs or cats, for example Acarina , including ticks (e.g. Ixodes spp., Boophilus spp. e.g. Boophilus microplus. Amblyomma spp., Hyalomma spp., Rhipicephalus spp. e.g. Rhipicephalus appendiculatus. Haemaphysalis spp., Dermacentor spp., Ornithodorus spp. (e.g. Ornithodorus moubata) and mites (e.g. Damalinia spp., Dermahyssus gallinae, Sarcoptes spp. e.g. Sarcoptes scabiei , Psoroptes spp., Chorioptes spp;, Demodex spp., Eutrombicula spp.,); Diptera (e.g. Aedes spp., Anopheles spp., Musca spp., Hypoderma spp., Gasterophilus spp., Simulium spp); Hemiptera (e.g. Triatoma spp); Phthirapter (e.g. Damalinia spp., Linognathus spp.); Siphonaptera (e.g. Ctenocephalides spp.); Dictyoptera (e.g. Periplaneta spp., Blatella spp.); Hymenoptera (e.g. Monomorium pharaonis); for example against infections of the gastro-intestinal tract caused by parasitic nematode worms, for example members of the family Trichostrongylidae, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. Trichinella spiralis, Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus colubriformis. Nematodirus batus. Ostertagis circumcincta. Trichostrongylus axei. Cooperia spp. and Hymenolepis nana; in the control and treatment of protozoal diseases caused by, for example, Eimeria spp. e.g. Eimeria tenella. Eimeria acervulina. Eimeria brunetti. Eimeria maxima and Eimeria necatrix, Trypanosoms cruzi. Leishaminia spp., Plasmodium spp., Babesis spp., Trichomonadidae spp., Histomanas spp., Giardia spp., Toxoplasma spp.. Entamoeba histolytica and Theileria spp.. The invention, as previously described, provides methods of control of pests via application or administration of an effective amount of compounds of formula (I) at a locus which comprises treatment of the locus. In practical use for the control of arthropods, especially insects or mites, or nematode pests of plants, a method, for example, comprises applying to the plants or to the medium in which they grow an effective amount of a compound of the invention. For such a method, the active compound is generally applied to the locus in which the arthropod or nematode infestation is to be controlled at an effective rate in the range of 0.005 kg to 15 kg of the active compound per hectare of locus treated. Under ideal conditions, depending on the pest to be controlled, a lower rate may offer adequate protection. On the other hand, adverse weather conditions, resistance of the pest or other factors may require that the active ingredient be used at higher rates. The optimum rate depends usually upon a number of factors, for example, the type of pest being controlled, the type or the growth stage of the infested plant, the row spacing or also the method of application. More preferably an effective rate range of the active compound is from 0.01 kg/ha to to 2 kg/ha. When a pest is soil-borne. the active compound generally in a formulated composition, is distributed evenly over the area to be treated (ie, for example broadcast or band treatment) in any convenient manner. Application may be made, if desired, to the field or crop-growing area generally or in close proximity to the seed or plant to be protected from attack. The active component can be washed into the soil by spraying with water over the area or can be left to the natural action of rainfall. During or after application, the formulated compound can, if desired, be distributed mechanically in the soil, for example by ploughing, disking. or use of drag chains. Application can be prior to planting, at planting, after planting but before sprouting has taken place, or after sprouting. Additionally, a method of control may also comprise treatment of the seed prior to planting with subsequent control effected after planting the seed. Methods of control of pests also consist of application to or treatment of the foliage of plants to control arthropods, especially insects or mites, or nematodes attacking the aerial parts of the plants. In addition, methods of control of pests by the invention compounds are provided to control pests which feed on parts of the plant remote from the point of application, e.g., leaf feeding insects which are controlled via systemic action of the active compound when applied for example to the roots of a plant or to the plant seed prior to planting. Furthermore, the compounds of the invention may reduce attacks on a plant by means of antifeeding or repellent effects. The compounds of the invention and methods of control of pests therewith are of particular value in the protection of field, forage, plantation, glasshouse, orchard or vineyard crops, of ornamentals, or of plantation or forest trees, for example: cereals (such as maize, wheat, rice, or sorghum), cotton, tobacco, vegetables (such as beans, cole crops, curcurbits, lettuce, onions, tomatoes or peppers), field crops (such as potatoes, sugar beets, ground nuts, soybeans, or oil seed rape), sugar cane, grassland or forage crops (such as maize, sorghum, or lucerne), plantations (such as tea, coffee, cocoa, banana, palm oil, coconut, rubber, or spices), orchards or groves (such as of stone or pit fruit, citrus. kiwifruit, avocado, mango, olives or walnuts), vineyards, ornamental plants, flowers or vegetables or shrubs under glass or in gardens or parks, or forest trees (both deciduous and evergreen) in forests, plantations or nurseries. They are also valuable in the protection of timber (standing, felled, converted, stored or structural) from attack, for example, by sawflies or beetles or termites. They have applications in the protection of stored products such as grains, fruits, nuts, spices or tobacco, whether whole, milled or compounded into products, from moth, beetle, mite or grain weevil attack. Also protected are stored animal products such as skins, hair, wool or feathers in natural or converted form (e.g. as carpets or textiles) from moth or beetle attack as well as stored meat, fish or grains from beetle, mite or fly attack. Additionally, the compounds of the invention and methods of use thereof are of particular value in the control of arthropods, helminths or protozoa which are injurious to, or spread or act as vectors of diseases in man and domestic animals, for example those hereinbefore mentioned, and more especially in the control of ticks, mites, lice, fleas, midges, or biting, nuisance or myiasis flies. The compounds of the invention are particularly useful in controlling arthropods, helminths or protozoa which are present inside domestic host animals or which feed in or on the skin or suck the blood of the animal, for which purpose they may be administered orally, parenterally, percutaneously or topically. Furthermore, compounds of the invention may be useful for coccidiosis, a disease caused by infections from protozoan parasites of the genus Eimeria. It is an important potential cause of economic loss in domestic animals and birds, particularly those raised or kept under intensive conditions. For example, cattle, sheep, pigs or rabbits may be affected, but the disease is especially important in poultry, particularly in chickens. Administration of a small amount of a compound of the invention, preferably by a combination with feed is effective in preventing or greatly reducing the incidence of coccidiosis. The compounds are effective against both the cecal form and the intestinal forms. Furthermore, the compounds of the invention may also exert an inhibiting effect on oocysts by greatly reducing the number and sporulation of those produced. The poultry disease is generally spread by the birds picking up the infectious organism in droppings in or on contaminated litter, ground, food, or drinking water. The disease is manifested by hemorrhage, accumulation of blood in the ceca, passage of blood to the droppings, weakness and digestive disturbances. The disease often terminates in the death of the animal, but the fowl which survive severe infections have had their market value subtantially reduced as a result of the infection. The compositions hereinafter described for application to growing crops or crop growing loci or as a seed dressing may, in general, alternatively be employed for topical application to man or animals or in the protection of stored products, household goods, property or areas of the general environment. Suitable means of applying the compounds of the invention include: to growing crops as foliar sprays, dusts, granules, fogs or foams or also as suspensions of finely divided or encapsulated compositions as soil or root treatments by liquid drenches, dusts, granules, smokes or foams; to seeds of crops via application as seed dressings by liquid slurries or dusts: to persons or animals infested by or exposed to infestation by arthropods, helminths or protozoa, by parenteral, oral or topical application of compositions in which the active ingredient exhibits an immediate and/or prolonged action over a period of time against the arthropods, helminths or protozoa, for example by incorporation in feed or suitable orally-ingestible pharmaceutical formulations, edible baits, salt licks, dietary supplements, pour-on formulations, sprays, baths, dips, showers, jets, dusts, greases. shampoos, creams, wax smears or livestock self-treatment systems; to the environment in general or to specific locations where pests may lurk, including stored products, timber, household goods, or domestic or industrial premises, as sprays, fogs, dusts, smokes, wax-smears, lacquers, granules or baits, or in tricklefeeds to waterways, wells, reservoirs or other running or standing water; to domestic animals in feed to control fly larvae feeding in their feces; In practice, the compounds of the invention most frequently form parts of compositions. These compositions can be employed to control: arthopods, especially insects or mites; nematodes; or helminth or protozoan pests. The compositions may be of any type known in the art suitable for application to the desired pest in any premises or indoor or outdoor area or by internal or external administration to vertebrates. These compositions contain at least one compound of the invention, such as described earlier, as the active ingredient in combination or association with one or more other compatible components which are for example, solid or liquid carriers or diluents, adjuvants, surface-active-agents, or the like appropriate for the intended use and which are agronomically or medicinally acceptable. These compositions, which may be prepared by any manner known in the art, likewise form a part of this invention. These compositions may also contain other kinds of ingredients such as protective colloids, adhesives, thickeners, thixotropic agents, penetrating agents, spray oils (especially for acaridical use), stabilizers, preservative agents (especially mold preservatives), sequestering agents, or the like, as well as other known active ingredients with pesticidal properties (particularly insecticidal, miticidal, nematicidal, or fungicidal) or with properties regulating the growth of plants. More generally, the compounds employed in the invention may be combined with all the solid or liquid additives corresponding to the usual techniques of formulation. Compositions, suitable for applications in agriculture, horticulture, or the like include formulations suitable for use as, for example, sprays, dusts, granules, fogs, foams, emulsions, or the like. Compositions suitable for administration to vertebrates or man, include preparations suitable for oral, parenteral, percutaneous, e.g. pour-on, or topical administration. Compositions for oral administration comprise one or more of the compounds of general formula(I) in association with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or coatings and include, for example, tablets, pills, capsules, pastes, gels, drenches, medicated feeds, medicated drinking water, medicated dietary supplements, slow-release boluses or other slow-release devices intended to be retained within the gastro-intestinal tract. Any of these may incorporate the active ingredient contained within microcapsules or coated with acid-labile or alkali-labile or other pharmaceutically acceptable enteric coatings. Feed premixes or concentrates containing compounds of the present invention for use in preparation of medicated diets, drinking water or other materials for consumption by animals may also be used. Compositions for parenteral administration include solutions, emulsions or suspensions in any suitable pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle or solid or semisolid subcutaneous implants or pellets designed to release the active ingredient over a protracted period of time and may be prepared and made sterile in any appropriate manner known to the art. Compositions for percutaneous and topical administration include sprays, dusts, baths, dips, showers, jets, greases, shampoos, creams, wax-smears, or pour-on preparations or devices (e.g. ear tags attached externally to animals in such a way as to provide local or systemic arthropod control). Solid or liquid baits, suitable for controlling arthropods, comprise one or more compounds of general formula(I) and a carrier or diluent which may include a food substance or some other substance to induce consumption by the arthropod. The effective use doses of the compounds employed in the invention can vary within wide limits, particularly depending on the nature of the pest to be eliminated or degree of infestation, for example, of crops with these pests. In general, the compositions according to the invention usually contain 0.05 to 95% (by weight) of one or more active ingredients according to the invention, 1 to 95% of one or more solid or liquid carriers and, optionally. 0.1 to 50% of one or more other compatible components, such as surface-active agents. In the present account, the term "carrier" denotes an organic or inorganic ingredient, natural or synthetic, with which the active ingredient is combined to facilitate its application, for example, to the plant, to seeds or to the soil. This carrier is therefore generally inert and it must be acceptable (for example, agronomically acceptable, particularly to the treated plant). The carrier may be a solid, for example, clays, natural or synthetic silicates, silica, resins, waxes, solid fertilizers (for example ammonium salts), ground natural minerals, such as kaolins, clays, talc, chalk, quartz, attapulgite, montmorillonite, bentonite or diatomaceous earth, or ground synthetic minerals, such as silica, alumina, or silicates especially aluminium or magnesium silicates. As solid carriers for granules the following are suitable: crushed or fractionated natural rocks such as calcite, marble, pumice, sepiolite and dolomite; synthetic granules of inorganic or organic meals; granules of organic material such as sawdust, coconut shells, corn cobs, corn husks or tobacco stalks; kieselguhr, tricalcium phosphate, powdered cork, or absorbent carbon black; water soluble polymers, resins, waxes; or solid fertilizers. Such solid compositions may, if desired, contain one or more compatible wetting, dispersing, emulsifying or colouring agents which, when solid, may also serve as a diluent. The carrier may also be liquid, for example: water; alcohols, particularly butanol or glycol, as well as their ethers or esters, particularly methylglycol acetate; ketones, particularly acetone, cyclohexanone. methylethyl ketone, methylisobutylketone, or isophorone; petroleum fractions such as paraffinic or aromatic hydrocarbons, particularly xylenes or alkyl naphthalenes; mineral or vegetable oils; aliphatic chlorinated hydrocarbons, particularly trichloroethane or methylene chloride; aromatic chlorinated hydrocarbons, particularly chlorobenzenes; watersoluble or strongly polar solvents such as dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulphoxide, or N-methylpyrrolidone; liquefied gases; or the like or a mixture thereof. The surface-active agent may be an emulsifying agent, dispersing agent or wetting agent of the ionic or non-ionic type or a mixture of such surface-active agents. Amongst these are e.g., salts of polyacrylic acids, salts of lignosulphonic acids, salts of phenolsulphonic or naphthalenesulphonic acids, polycondensates of ethylene oxide with fatty alcohols or fatty acids or fatty esters or fatty amines, substituted phenols (particularly alkylphenols or arylphenols), salts of sulphosuccinic acid esters, taurine derivatives (particularly alkyltaurates), phosphoric esters of alcohols or of polycondensates of ethylene oxide with phenols, esters of fatty acids with polyols, or sulphate, sulphonate or phosphate functional derivatives of the above compounds. The presence of at least one surface-active agent is generally essential when the active ingredient and/or the inert carrier are only slightly water soluble or are not water soluble and the carrier agent of the composition for application is water. Compositions of the invention may further contain different other additives such adhesives or colorants. Adhesives such as carboxymethylcellulose or natural or synthetic polymers in the form of powders, granules or lattices, such as arabic gum, polyvinyl alcohol or polyvinyl acetate, natural phospholipids, such as cephalins or lecithins, or synthetic phospholipids can be used in the formulations. It is possible to use colorants such as inorganic pigments, for example: iron oxides, titanium oxides or Prussian Blue; organic dyestuffs, such as alizarin dyestuffs, azo dyestuffs or metal phthalocyanine dyestuffs; or trace nutrients such as salts of iron, manganese, boron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum or zinc. Compositions containing compounds of general formula(I) which may be applied to control arthropod, plant nematode, helminth or protozoan pests, may also contain synergists (e.g. piperonyl butoxide or sesamex), stabilizing substances, other insecticides, acaricides, plant nematocides, anthelmintics or anticoccidials, fungicides (agricultural or veterinary as appropriate, e.g. benomyl and iprodione), bactericides, arthropod or vertebrate attractants or repellents or pheromones. deodorants, flavouring agents, dyes, or auxiliary therapeutic agents, e.g. trace elements. These may be designed to improve potency, persistence, safety, uptake where desired, spectrum of pests controlled or to enable the composition to perform other useful functions in the same animal or area treated. Examples of other pesticidally-active compounds which may be included in, or used in conjunction with the compositions of the present invention are: acephate, chlorpyrifos, demeton-S-methyl, disulfoton, ethoprofos, fenitrothion, malathion, monocrotophos, parathion, phosalone, pirimiphos-methyl, triazophos, cyfluthrin, cyermethrin. deltamethrin, fenpropathrin, fenvalerate, permethrin, aldicarb, carbosulfan, methomyl, oxamyl, pirimicarb, bendiocarb, teflubenzuron. dicofol, endosulfan, lindane, benzoximate, cartap, cyhexatin, tetradifon, avermectins, ivermectins, milbemycins, thiophanate, trichlorfon. dichlorvos, diaveridine or dimetriadazole. For their agricultural application, the compounds of the formula(I) are therefore generally in the form of compositions, which are in various solid or liquid forms. Solid forms of compositions which can be used are dusting powders (with a content of the compound of formula(I) ranging up to 80%), wettable powders or granules (including water dispersible granules), particularly those obtained by extrusion, compacting, impregnation of a granular carrier, or granulation starting from a powder (the content of the compound of formula(I) in these wettable powders or granules being between about 0.5 and about 80%). Solid homogenous or heterogenous compositions containing one or more compounds of general formula(I) for example granules, pellets, briquettes or capsules, may be used to treat standing or running water over a period of time. A similar effect may be achieved using trickle or intermittent feeds of water dispersible concentrates as described herein. Liquid compositions, for example, include aqueous or non-aqueous solutions or suspensions (such as emulsifiable concentrates, emulsions, flowables, dispersions, or solutions) or aerosols. Liquid compositions also include, in particular, emulsifiable concentrates, dispersions, emulsions, flowables, aerosols, wettable powders (or powder for spraying), dry flowables or pastes as forms of compositions which are liquid or intended to form liquid compositions when applied, for example as aqueous sprays (including low and ultra-low volume) or as fogs or aerosols. Liquid compositions, for example, in the form of emulsifiable or soluble concentrates most frequently comprise about 5 to about 80% by weight of the active ingredient, while the emulsions or solutions which are ready for application contain, in their case, 0.01 to 20% of the active ingredient. Besides the solvent, the emulsifiable or soluble concentrates may contain, when required, 2 to 50% of suitable additives, such as stabilizers, surface-active agents, penetrating agents, corrosion inhibitors, colorants or adhesives. Emulsions of any required concentration, which are particularly suitable for application, for example, to plants, may be obtained from these concentrates by dilution with water. These compositions are included within the scope of the compositions which may be employed in the present invention. The emulsions may be in the form of water-in-oil or oil-in-water type and they may have a thick consistency. The liquid compositions of this invention may, in addition to normal agricultural use applications be used for example to treat substrates or sites infested or liable to infestation by arthropods (or other pests controlled by compounds of this invention) including premises, outdoor or indoor storage or processing areas, containers or equipment or standing or running water. All these aqueous dispersions or emulsions or spraying mixtures can be applied, for example, to crops by any suitable means, chiefly by spraying, at rates which are generally of the order of 100 to 1,200 liters of spraying mixture per hectare, but may be higher or lower (eg. low or ultra-low volume) depending upon the need or application technique. The compounds or compositions according to the invention are conveniently applied to vegetation and in particular to roots or leaves having pests to be eliminated. Another method of application of the compounds or compositions according to the invention is by chemigation, that is to say, the addition of a formulation containing the active ingredient to irrigation water. This irrigation may be sprinkler irrigation for foliar pesticides or it can be ground irrigation or underground irrigation for soil or for systemic pesticides. The concentrated suspensions, which can be applied by spraying, are prepared so as to produce a stable fluid product which does not settle (fine grinding) and usually contain from 10 to 75% by weight of active ingredient, from 0.5 to 30% of surface-active agents, from 0.1 to 10% of thixotropic agents, from 0 to 30% of suitable additives, such as anti-foaming agents, corrosion inhibitors, stabilizers, penetrating agents, adhesives and, as the carrier, water or an organic liquid in which the active ingredient is poorly soluble or insoluble Some organic solids or inorganic salts may be dissolved in the carrier to help prevent settling or as antifreezes for water. The wettable powers (or powder for spraying) are usually prepared so that they contain from 10 to 80% by weight of active ingredient, from about 20 to 90% of a solid carrier, from 0 to 5% of a wetting agent, from 3 to 10% of a dispersing agent and, when necessary, from 0 to 80% of one or more stabilizers and/or other additives, such as penetrating agents, adhesives, anti-caking agents, colorants. To obtain these wettable powders, the active ingredient(s) is(are) thoroughly mixed in a suitable blender with additional substances which may be impregnated on the porous filler and is(are) ground using a mill or other suitable grinder. This produces wettable powders, the wettability and the suspendability of which are advantageous. They may be suspended in water to give any desired concentration and this suspension can be employed very advantageously in particular for application to plant foliage. The "water dispersible granules (WG)" (granules which are readily dispersible in water) have compositions which are substantially close to that of the wettable powders. They may be prepared by granulation of formulations described for the wettable powders, either by a wet route (contacting finely divided active ingredient with the inert filler and a little water, e.g. 1 to 20% by weight, or with an aqueous solution of a dispersing agent or binder, followed by drying and screening), or by a dry route (compacting followed by grinding and screening). The application dose (effective dose) of active ingredient, also as a formulated composition, is generally between about 0.005 and about 15 kg/ha, preferably between 0.01 and 2 kg/ha. Therefore, the rates and concentrations of the formulated compositions may vary according to the method of application or the nature of the compositions or use thereof. Generally speaking, the compositions for application to control arthropod, plant nematode, helminth or protozoan pests usually contain from 0.00001% to 95%, more particularly from 0.0005% to 50% by weight of one or more compounds of general formula(I) or of total active ingredients (that is to say the compound(s) of general formula(I) together with: other substances toxic to arthropods or plant nematodes, anthelmintics, anticoccidials, synergists, trace elements or stabilizers). The actual compositions employed and their rate of application will be selected to achieve the desired effect(s) by the farmer, livestock producer, medical or veterinary practitioner, pest control operator or other person skilled in the art. Solid or liquid compositions for application topically to animals, timber, stored products or household goods usually contain from 0.00005% to 90%. more particularly from 0.001% to 10%, by weight of one or more compounds of general formula(I). For administration to animals orally or parenterally, including percutaneously solid or liquid compositions, these normally contain from 0.1% to 90% by weight of one or more compounds of general formula(I). Medicated feedstuffs normally contain from 0.001% to 3% by weight of one or more compounds of general formula(I). Concentrates or supplements for mixing with feedstuffs normally contain from about 5% to about 90%, preferably from 5% to 50%, by weight of one or more compounds of general formula(I). Mineral salt licks normally contain from 0.1% to 10% by weight of one or more compounds of general formula(I). Dusts or liquid compositions for application to livestock, persons, goods, premises or outdoor areas may contain from 0.0001% to 15%, more especially from 0.005% to 2.0%, by weight, of one or more compounds of general formula(I). Suitable concentrations in treated waters are between 0.0001 ppm and 20 ppm, more particularly 0.001 ppm to 5.0 ppm. of one or more ocompounds of general formula(I) and may be used therapeutically in fish farming with appropriate exposure times. Edible baits may contain from 0.01% to 5%, preferably from 0.01% to 1.0%, by weight, of one or more compounds of general formula(I). When administered to vertebrates parenterally, orally or by percutaneous or other means, the dosage of compounds of general formula(I) will depend upon the species, age, or health of the vertebrate and upon the nature and degree of its actual or potential infestation by arthropod, helminth or protozoan pests. A single dose of 0.1 to 100 mg, preferably 2.0 to 20.0 mg, per kg body weight of the animal or doses of 0.01 to 20.0 mg, preferably 0.1 to 5.0 mg, per kg body weight of the animal per day, for sustained medication, are generally suitable by oral or parenteral administration. By use of sustained release formulations or devices, the daily doses required over a period of months may be combined and administered to animals on a single occasion. The following composition EXAMPLES 16 - 27 illustrate compositions for use against arthropods, especially mites or insects, plant nematodes, or helminth or protozoan pests which comprise, as active ingredient, compounds of general formula (I) as described in preparative EXAMPLES 1 to 15. The compositions described in EXAMPLES 16-21 can each be diluted in water to give a sprayable composition at concentrations suitable for use in the field. Generic chemical descriptions of the ingredients (for which all of the following percentages are in weight percent), used in the composition EXAMPLES 16-27 exemplified below, are as follows: Trade Name Chemical Description Ethylan BCP Nonylphenol ethylene oxide condensate Soprophor BSU Tristyrylphenol ethylene oxide condensate Arylan CA A 70% w/v solution of calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate Solvesso 150 Light C 10 aromatic solvent Arylan S Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate Darvan No2 Sodium lignosulphonate Celite PF Synthetic magnesium silicate carrier Sopropon T36 Sodium salts of polycarboxylic acids Rhodigel 23 Polysaccharide xanthan gum Bentone 38 Organic derivative of magnesium montmorillonite Aerosil Microfine silicon dioxide EXAMPLE 16 A water soluble concentrate is prepared with the composition as follows: Active ingredient 7% Ethylan BCP 10% N-methylpyrrolidone 83% To a solution of Ethylan BCP dissolved in a portion of N-methylpyrrolidone is added the active ingredient with heating and stirring until dissolved. The resulting solution is made up to volume with the remainder of the solvent. EXAMPLE 17 An emulsifiable concentrate (EC) is prepared with the composition as follows: Active ingredient 7% Soprophor BSU 4% Arylan CA 4% N-methylpyrrolidone 50% Solvesso 150 35% The first three components are dissolved in N-methylpyrrolidone and to this is then added the Solvesso 150 to give the final volume. EXAMPLE 18 A wettable powder (WP) is prepared with the composition as follows: Active ingredient 40% Arylan S 2% Darvan No2 5% Celite PF 53% The ingredients are mixed and ground in a hammer-mill to a powder with a particle size of less than 50 microns. EXAMPLE 19 An aqueous-flowable formulation is prepared with the composition as follows: Active ingredient 40.00% Ethylan BCP 1.00% Sopropon T360. 0.20% Ethylene glycol 5.00% Rhodigel 230. 0.15% Water 53.65% The ingredients are intimately mixed and are ground in a bead mill until a mean particle size of less than 3 microns is obtained. EXAMPLE 20 An emulsifiable suspension concentrate is prepared with the composition as follows: Active ingredient 30.0% Ethylan BCP 10.0% Bentone 38 0.5% Solvesso 150 59.5% The ingredients are intimately mixed and ground in a beadmill until a mean particle size of less than 3 microns is obtained. EXAMPLE 21 A water dispersible granule is prepared with the composition as follows: Active ingredient 30% Darvan No 2 15% Arylan S 8% Celite PF 47% The ingredients are mixed, micronized in a fluid-energy mill and then granulated in a rotating pelletizer by spraying with water (up to 10%). The resulting granules are dried in a fluid-bed drier to remove excess water. EXAMPLE 22 A dusting powder is prepared with the composition as follows: Active ingredient 1 to 10% Talc powder-superfine 99 to 90% The ingredients are intimately mixed and further ground as necessary to achieve a fine powder. This powder may be appplied to a locus of arthropod infestation, for example refuse dumps, stored products or household goods or animals infested by, or at risk of infestation by, arthropods to control the arthropods by oral ingestion. Suitable means for distributing the dusting powder to the locus of arthropod infestation include mechanical blowers, handshakers or livestock self treatment devices. EXAMPLE 23 An edible bait is prepared with the composition as follows: Active ingredient 0.1 to 1.0% Wheat flour 80% Molasses 19.9 to 19% The ingredients are intimately mixed and formed as required into a bait form. This edible bait may be distributed at a locus, for example domestic or industrial premises, e.g. kitchens, hospitals or stores, or outdoor areas, infested by arthropods, for example ants, locusts, cockroaches or flies, to control the arthropods by oral ingestion. EXAMPLE 24 A solution formulation is prepared with a composition as follows: Active ingredient 15% Dimethyl sulfoxide 85% The active ingredient is dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide with mixing and or heating as required. This solution may be applied percutaneously as a pour-on application to domestic animals infested by arthropods or, after sterilization by filtration through a polytetrafluoroethylene membrane (0.22 micrometer pore size), by parenteral injection, at a rate of application of from 1.2 to 12 ml of solution per 100 kg of animal body weight. EXAMPLE 25 A wettable powder is prepared with the composition as follows: Active ingredient 50% Ethylan BCP 5% Aerosil 5% Celite PF 40% The Ethylan BCP is absorbed onto the Aerosil which is then mixed with the other ingredients and ground in a hammer-mill to give a wettable powder, which may be diluted with water to a concentration of from 0.001% to 2% by weight of the active compound and applied to a locus of infestation by arthropods, for example, dipterous larvae or plant nematodes, by spraying, or to domestic animals infested by, or at risk of infection by arthropods, helminths or protozoa, by spraying or dipping, or by oral administration in drinking water, to control the arthropods, helminths or protozoa. EXAMPLE 26 A slow release bolus composition is formed from granules containing the following components in varying percentages(similar to those described for the previous compositions) depending upon need: Active ingredient Density agent Slow-release agent Binder The intimately mixed ingredients are formed into granules which are compressed into a bolus with a specific gravity of 2 or more. This can be administered orally to ruminant domestic animals for retention within the reticulo-rumen to give a continual slow release of active compound over an extended period of time to control infestation of the ruminant domestic animals by arthropods, helminths or protozoa. EXAMPLE 27 A slow release composition in the form of granules, pellets, brickettes or the like can be prepared with compositions as follows: Active ingredient 0.5 to 25% Polyvinyl chloride 75 to 99.5% Dioctyl phthalate (plasticizer) catalytic amount The components are blended and then formed into suitable shapes by melt-extrusion or molding. These composition are useful, for example, for addition to standing water or for fabrication into collars or eartags for attachment to domestic animals to control pests by slow release. While the present invention has been set forth in specific and illustrative details and described with preferred particularity, it is susceptible to changes, modifications or alternations, obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which is defined by the claims appended hereto.

Claims: Claims for the following Contracting States : AT, BE, CH, LI, DE, DK, FR, GB, GR, IT, LU, NL, SE A compound of formula (I) wherein: R 1 is CF 3 , CCl 2 F or CClF 2 ; n is 0, 1 or 2; Y is H, Cl, Br or SCH 3 ; R 2 is Cl or Br; and R 3 is Cl or Br; which compound is: 1-(2,6-dibromo-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-chlorodifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-methylsulfenyl-4-dichlorofluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-dichlorofluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-methylsulfenyl-4-chlorodifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-chlorodifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-chloro-4-dichlorofluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-4-dichlorofluoromethylsulfonylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-trifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-trifluoromethylsulfinylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-trifluoromethylsulfonylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-chloro-4-trifluoromethylsulfinylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-chlorodifluoromethylsulfinylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-chlorodifluoromethylsulfonylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-dichlorofluoromethylsulfinylimidazole; or 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-dichlorofluoromethylsulfonylimidazole. A compound according to claim 1 which is: 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-methylsulfenyl-4-dichlorofluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-dichlorofluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-methylsulfenyl-4-chlorodifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-trifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-chloro-4-dichlorofluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-chlorodifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dibromo-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-chlorodifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-trifluoromethylsulfonylimidazole; or 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-dichlorofluoromethylsulfonylimidazole. A compound according to claim 1 which is 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-dichlorofluoromethylsulfinylimidazole. A method for the control of: arthropods; nematodes; or helminth or protozoan pests at a locus which comprises treatment of the locus with an effective amount of the compound of formula (I) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3; with the exclusion of a method for treatment of the human or animal body by therapy. A method according to claim 4, wherein the locus comprises agricultural or horticultural plants or a medium in which the plants grow and the pests are arthropod or nematode pests of the plants, and the treatment is by applying to the plants or to the medium in which they grow an effective amount of the compound of formula (I). A method according to claim 5, wherein the compound is applied to the locus, in which the arthropod or nematode pests are controlled, at a rate of 0.005 kg to 15 kg of compound per hectare of locus treated, preferably at a rate of 0.02 kg to 2 kg of compound per hectare. A method according to claim 5, wherein the pests are mites, aphids, insects, or plant nematodes or combinations thereof, which comprises incorporating the compound into soil in which the plants are planted or are to be planted, or applying the compound to the plant's seeds, to the plant's roots or to the plant's foliage. A method according to claim 7, wherein the mites are in the subclass Acari. A method according to claim 4, wherein the method is employed in the field of livestock husbandry or in the maintenance of public health against arthropods, helminths or protozoa which are parasitic externally upon warm-blooded vertebrates. A method according to claim 9, wherein the arthropods are insects, mites or both. A composition for the control of arthropod, nematode, helminth, or protozoan pests comprising a compatible component and an effective amount of a compound of formula (I) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3. A composition according to claim 11, which contains 0.05 to 95% by weight of one or more compounds of formula (I) as active ingredient and 1 to 95% by weight of one or more agronomically or medicinally acceptable solid or liquid carriers, and preferably further comprising 0.5 to 50% by weight of one of more compatible components, which are agronomically or medicinally acceptable diluents, adjuvants or surface active agents. A composition useful in the field of veterinary medicine and livestock husbandry or in the maintenance of public health, comprising one or more medicinally compatible components and as an active ingredient at least one compound of formula (I) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3. A process of preparation of a compound of formula (Ia) wherein R 1 , n, R 2 and R 3 are as defined for a compound of formula (I) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a compound of formula (5) , wherein R 2 and R 3 are as defined above and in which amino is optionally protected as required, is first reacted with a sulfenyl halide, R 1 SHalo in which R 1 is as defined above, in an organic reaction medium, optionally in the presence of an acid acceptor to obtain a compound of formula (Ia), wherein n is 0, which is then optionally oxidized by known methods to obtain a compound of formula (Ia), wherein n is 1 or 2. A process of preparation of a compound of formula (I) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a compound of formula (Ia) as defined in claim 14 in which R 1 , n, R 2 and R 3 are as defined in claim 1 and in which S(O) n R 1 , the H atom at the 2-position of the imidazole ring and amino are optionally protected as required, is deaminated by known procedures to convert the amino group of formula (Ia), into its corresponding diazonium salt, followed by conversion of the diazonium salt by known procedures to obtain a compound of formula (I), in which Y is H, Cl, Br or SCH 3 . A process of preparation of a compound of formula (I) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a compound of formula (Ib) wherein Y, R 2 and R 3 are as defined in claim 1 and in which Y and the H atom at the 2-position of the imidazole ring are optionally protected as required: a) is first reacted with a mixture of bromine and a metal thiocyanate to give an intermediate compound corresponding to formula (I) in which the substituent at the 4-position of the imidazole ring is thiocyano, which then is treated with a haloalkylating agent, optionally in the presence of a base to directly give a compound of formula (I), in which n is 0, or optionally the intermediate compound, in which the substituent at the 4-position of the imidazole ring is thiocyano, is first oxidized to a corresponding intermediate disulfide compound which is then reacted with the corresponding perhalomethane, optionally in the presence of a reducing agent, to give a compound of formula (I) in which n is 0, and finally the compound in which n is 0 is optionally oxidized by known methods to give a compound of formula (I) in which n is 1 or 2; or b) is first according to known procedures converted to an intermediate compound corresponding to formula (I), in which the substituent at the 4-position of the imidazole ring is chlorosulfonyl, then the chlorosulfonyl compound is reacted with a reducing agent to give a disulfide intermediate described in part a) above, then finally the disulfide is converted by the procedures described in part a) above to give a compound of formula (I) in which n is 0, or optionally the compound of formula (I) in which n is 0 is oxidized to give a compound of formula (I) in which n is 1 or 2. A compound of formula (Ia) as defined in claim 14. Claims for the following Contracting State : ES A process of preparation of a compound of formula (I) wherein: R 1 is CF 3 , CCl 2 F or CClF 2 ; n is 0, 1 or 2; Y is H, Cl, Br or SCH 3 ; R 2 is Cl or Br; and R 3 is Cl or Br; which compound is: 1-(2,6-dibromo-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-chlorodifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-methylsulfenyl-4-dichlorofluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-dichlorofluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-methylsulfenyl-4-chlorodifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-chlorodifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-chloro-4-dichlorofluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-4-dichlorofluoromethylsulfonylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-trifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-trifluoromethylsulfinylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-trifluoromethylsulfonylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-chloro-4-trifluoromethylsulfinylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-chlorodifluoromethylsulfinylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-chlorodifluoromethylsulfonylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-dichlorofluoromethylsulfinylimidazole; or 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-dichlorofluoromethylsulfonylimidazole, wherein a compound of formula (Ia) in which R 1 , n, R 2 and R 3 are as defined above and in which S(O) n R 1 , the H atom at the 2-position of the imidazole ring and amino are optionally protected as required, is deaminated by known procedures to convert the amino group of formula (Ia), into its corresponding diazonium salt, followed by conversion of the diazonium salt by known procedures to obtain a compound of formula (I), in which Y is H, Cl, Br or SCH 3 . A process of preparation of a compound of formula (I) as defined in claim 1, wherein a compound of formula (Ib) wherein Y, R 2 and R 3 are as defined in claim 1 and in which Y and the H atom at the 2-position of the imidazole ring are optionally protected as required: a) is first reacted with a mixture of bromine and a metal thiocyanate to give an intermediate compound corresponding to formula (I) in which the substituent at the 4-position of the imidazole ring is thiocyano, which then is treated with a haloalkylating agent, optionally in the presence of a base to directly give a compound of formula (I), in which n is 0, or optionally the intermediate compound, in which the substituent at the 4-position of the imidazole ring is thiocyano, is first oxidized to a corresponding intermediate disulfide compound which is then reacted with the corresponding perhalomethane, optionally in the presence of a reducing agent, to give a compound of formula (I) in which n is 0, and finally the compound in which n is 0 is optionally oxidized by known methods to give a compound of formula (I) in which n is 1 or 2; or b) is first according to known procedures converted to an intermediate compound corresponding to formula (I), in which the substituent at the 4-position of the imidazole ring is chlorosulfonyl, then the chlorosulfonyl compound is reacted with a reducing agent to give a disulfide intermediate described in part a) above, then finally the disulfide is converted by the procedures described in part a) above to give a compound of formula (I) in which n is 0, or optionally the compound of formula (I) in which n is 0 is oxidized to give a compound of formula (I) in which n is 1 or 2. A process according to claim 1 or 2, for the preparation of: 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-methylsulfenyl-4-dichlorofluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-dichlorofluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-methylsulfenyl-4-chlorodifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-trifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-chloro-4-dichlorofluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-chlorodifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dibromo-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-chlorodifluoromethylsulfenylimidazole; 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-trifluoromethylsulfonylimidazole; or 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-dichlorofluoromethylsulfonylimidazole. A process according to claim 1 or 2 for the preparation of 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-bromo-4-dichlorofluoromethylsulfinylimidazole. A method for the control of: arthropods; nematodes; or helminth or protozoan pests at a locus which comprises treatment of the locus with an effective amount of the compound of formula (I) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4; with the exclusion of a method for treatment of the human or animal body by therapy. A method according to claim 5, wherein the locus comprises agricultural or horticultural plants or a medium in which the plants grow and the pests are arthropod or nematode pests of the plants, and the treatment is by applying to the plants or to the medium in which they grow an effective amount of the compound of formula (I). A method according to claim 6, wherein the compound is applied to the locus, in which the arthropod or nematode pests are controlled, at a rate of 0.005 kg to 15 kg of compound per hectare of locus treated, preferably at a rate of 0.02 kg to 2 kg of compound per hectare. A method according to claim 6, wherein the pests are mites, aphids, insects, or plant nematodes or combinations thereof, which comprises incorporating the compound into soil in which the plants are planted or are to be planted, or applying the compound to the plant's seeds, to the plant's roots or to the plant's foliage. A method according to claim 8, wherein the mites are in the subclass Acari. A method according to claim 5, wherein the method is employed in the field of livestock husbandry or in the maintenance of public health against arthropods, helminths or protozoa which are parasitic externally upon warm-blooded vertebrates. A method according to claim 10, wherein the arthropods are insects, mites or both. A process for the preparation of a composition for the control of arthropod, nematode, helminth, or protozoan pests comprising a compatible component and an effective amount of a compound of formula (I) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4, which process comprises formulating the compound of formula (I) with the compatible component. A process according to claim 11, for the preparation of a composition which contains 0.05 to 95% by weight of one or more compounds of formula (I) as active ingredient and 1 to 95% by weight of one or more agronomically or medicinally acceptable solid or liquid carriers, and preferably further comprises 0.5 to 50% by weight of one of more compatible components, which are agronomically or medicinally acceptable diluents, adjuvants or surface active agents. A process for the preparation of a composition useful in the field of veterinary medicine and livestock husbandry or in the maintenance of public health, comprising one or more medicinally compatible components and as an active ingredient at least one compound of formula (I) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4, which process comprises formulating the compound of formula (I) with one or more medicinally compatible components. A process of preparation of a compound of formula (Ia) as defined in claim 1, wherein a compound of formula (5) , wherein R 2 and R 3 are as defined in claim 1 and in which amino is optionally protected as required, is first reacted with a sulfenyl halide, R 1 SHalo in which R 1 is as defined above, in an organic reaction medium, optionally in the presence of an acid acceptor to obtain a compound of formula (Ia), wherein n is 0, which is then optionally oxidized by known methods to obtain a compound of formula (Ia), wherein n is 1 or 2. A compound of formula (I) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4. A composition comprising a compound of formula (I) as defined in any one of claims 12 to 14. A compound of formula (Ia) as defined in claim 1.

Inventors: CHOU DAVID TEH WEI, HALL LEE S, NEWSOME PETER WYATT, POWELL GAIL SCOTTON, SINODIS DAVID NEAL, TIMMONS PHILIP REID, WU TAI-TEH, CHOU, DAVID TEH WEI, HALL LEE S., NEWSOME, PETER WYATT, POWELL, GAIL SCOTTON, SINODIS, DAVID NEAL, TIMMONS, PHILIP REID, WU, TAI-TEH
Applicants: AVENTIS CROPSCIENCE SA, AVENTIS CROPSCIENCE S.A.
Application year: 1991
Main classification: C07D233
IPC codes: C07D233, A61K31, A01N43, A01P5, A01N47, A01P7