Insecticidal N'-substituted-N, N'-diacylhydrazines

Abstract: The present invention provides insecticidal compounds having the formula N-(2-R a -3-R b -4-R h -benzoyl)-N'-(2-R c -3-R d -4-R e -5-R f -benzoyl)-N'-R g -hydrazine wherein R a is a halo or lower alkyl; R b is lower alkoxy; R c is selected from hydrogen, halo, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkoxy lower alkyl, and nitro; R d , R e and R f are each independently selected from hydrogen, bromo, chloro, fluoro, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, and lower alkoxy lower alkyl; R g is a (C₄-C₆)alkyl; R h is hydrogen, lower alkoxy, lower alkyl, or when taken together with R b is methylenedioxy (-OCH₂O-), 1,2-ethylenedioxy (-OCH₂CH₂O-), 1,2-ethyleneoxy (-CH₂CH₂O-) or 1,3-propyleneoxy (-CH₂CH₂CH₂O-) wherein an oxo atom is located at the R b position; and the substituents R c and R d , or R d and R e , or R e and R f when taken together can be methylenedioxy or 1,2-ethylenedioxy. Also provided are compositions comprising an agronomically acceptable carrier and one or more of such compounds, compositions comprising one or more of such compounds and a surfactant, methods of using such compounds and compositions, and methods for the production of the compounds and their intermediates.

Description: The present invention is concerned with N'-substituted-N,N'-diacylhydrazines which are useful as insecticides, compositions containing those compounds and methods of their use. The search for compounds which have a combination of excellent insecticidal activity and low undesirable toxicity is a continuing one because of factors such as the desire for compounds exhibiting greater activity, better selectivity, lower undesirable environmental impact, lower production and market cost and higher effectiveness against insects which are or become resistant to many known insecticides. There continues to be a need to develop insecticidal compounds having improved insecticidal properties as described above. The present invention provides improved N'-substituted-N,N'-diacylhydrazines which are unexpectedly propertied with enhanced, higher activity. The higher activity can provide an economic and environmental advantage in the use of the inventive compounds. In Chem. Abs., 118 , no. 22223g, (1993), EP-A-0 946 342 and GB-A-2 231 268, there are described insecticidal N'-substituted-N,N'-diacylhydrazines. However, in these publications, neither the compounds of the present invention has been disclosed nor has the enhanced higher activity of these compounds been suggested. In accordance with the present invention, there are provided insecticidal compounds having the formula N-(2-R a -3-R b -4-R h -benzoyl)-N'-(2-R c -3-R d -4-R e -5-R f -benzoyl)-N'-R g -hydrazine which may be depicted structurally as follows: wherein R a is (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl; R b is (C 1 -C 4 )alkoxy; R c is hydrogen; R d and R f are each independently selected from hydrogen, bromo, chloro, fluoro, (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 4 )alkoxy, and (C 1 -C 4 )alkoxy(C 1 -C 3 )alkyl; R e is hydrogen, R g is a (C 4 -C 6 )alkyl; and R h is hydrogen. Also provided are compositions comprising an agronomically acceptable carrier and an insecticidally effective amount of such compounds; compositions comprising an insecticidally effective amount of such compounds and a surfactant; and methods of using such compounds and compositions, for example, methods for controlling insects such as insects of the order of Lepidoptera and Homoptera, which comprises contacting the insects with a compound or composition according to the present invention. The compounds and compositions of the present invention are insecticidally active against insects of the order Lepidoptera. Certain of these compounds and compositions are distinguished by their insecticidal activity against insects of both the orders Lepidoptera and Homoptera. As used herein: "Halo" is chloro, fluoro, bromo or iodo; "(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl" is straight chain or branched alkyl such as methyl, ethyl, n -propyl, isopropyl, n -butyl, isobutyl, sec -butyl, tert -butyl, n -amyl, isoamyl, neopentyl, n -hexyl, isohexyl, methylneopentyl (3,3-dimethyl-2-butyl) and the like; (C 1 -C 4 )alkoxy" is a straight chain or branched alkoxy, optionally substituted with halo, such as methoxy, ethoxy, n -propoxy, isopropoxy, n -butoxy, isobutoxy, trifluoromethoxy, difluoromethoxy and the like; and "(C 1 -C 4 )alkoxy(C 1 -C 3 )alkyl" is an alkoxyalkyl such as methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, 2-methoxyethyl, 2-ethoxyethyl and the like. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, there are provided insecticidal compounds having the formula N-(2-R a -3-R b -4-R h -benzoyl)-N'-(2-R c -3-R d -4-R e -5-R f -benzoyl)-N'-R g -hydrazine wherein R a is (C 1 -C 3 )alkyl; R b is (C 1 -C 4 )alkoxy; R c is hydrogen; R d and R f are each independently selected from hydrogen, bromo, chloro, fluoro, (C 1 -C 3 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 4 )alkoxy, and (C 1 -C 2 )alkoxy(C 1 -C 2 )alkyl; R e is hydrogen; R g is a (C 4 -C 6 )alkyl; and R h is hydrogen. In a more preferred embodiment of this invention, there are provided insecticidal compounds having the formula N-(2-R a -3-R b -4-R h -benzoyl)-N'(2-R c -3-R d -4-R e -5-R f -benzoyl)-N'-R g -hydrazine wherein R a is methyl or ethyl; R b is methoxy or ethoxy; R d and R f are each independently selected from hydrogen, bromo, chloro, fluoro, methyl, methoxy and methoxymethyl); R c and R e are both hydrogen; and R g is tert -butyl, neopentyl or methylneopentyl. In an even more preferred embodiment of this invention, there are provided insecticidal compounds having the formula N-(2-R a -3-R b -4-R h -benzoyl)-N'-(2-R c -3-R d -4-R e -5-R f -benzoyl)-N'-R g -hydrazine wherein R a is methyl or ethyl; R b is methoxy or ethoxy; R d and R f are each independently selected from hydrogen, bromo, chloro, fluoro, methyl and methoxy; R g is tert -butyl; and R c , R e and R h are hydrogen. Preferred compounds because of their higher activity include: N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-chloro-5-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dichlorobenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-benzoyl-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-methoxy-5-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyI)-N'-(3-bromo-5-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-bromo-5-chlorobenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3, 5-difluorobenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-fluorobenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-ethoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-chlorobenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(2-methyl-3-trifluoromethoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3, 5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-ethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3, 5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3-chloro-5-methylbenzoyl) N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert butylhydrazine, N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dichlorobenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-ethoxy-2-ethylbenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'-neopentylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3, 5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'-(methylneopentyl)hydrazine N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'-neopentylhydrazine, and N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3, 5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'-(methylneopentyl)hydrazine. More preferred compounds and compositions thereof because of their superior insecticidal activity against insects of the order Lepidoptera include: N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-chloro-5-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3, 5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3, 5-dichlorobenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-methoxy-5-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-bromo-5-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-bromo-5-chlorobenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3, 5-difluorobenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-fluorobenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-ethoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3, 5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-chlorobenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(2-methyl-3-trifluoromethoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3, 5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-ethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3-chloro-5-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3, 5-difluorobenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, and N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dichlorobenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine. Even more preferred compounds and compositions thereof because of their outstanding insecticidal activity against insects of the order Lepidoptera include: N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-chloro-5-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-ethoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3, 5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dichlorobenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, and N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-methoxy-5-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine. More preferred compounds and compositions thereof because of their superior insecticidal activity against insects of the order Homoptera include: N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3-chloro-5-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert butylhydrazine, N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3-methoxybenzoyl)-N- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, and N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine. Many of the compounds of the present invention, and the intermediates related thereto, can be prepared by methods similar to the known methods for making N'-substituted-N,N'-diacylhydrazines. Those of ordinary skill in the art will be able to utilize or modify such processes after knowledge of the disclosures herein to accommodate many of the functionalities R c , R d , R e and R f in the intermediates and compounds of the present invention. The agronomically acceptable salts of the present insecticidal compounds can be synthesized by the utilization of the salting methods known in the art relating to N'-substituted-N,N'-diacylhydrazines used as insecticides. The compounds of the present invention exhibit unexpectedly excellent results in their use as insecticides. One skilled in the art will be able to determine the activity of a given compound against a given insect and the dosage required to obtain unexpectedly good insecticidal effects. The exact dosage for a given situation can be routinely determined and the compositions and formulations for such uses, and the desired additional components (such as agronomically acceptable carriers, diluents, extenders and other common additives used in insecticidal compositions) can be determined in the known manners. The following Examples are presented to illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention. In the Examples the preparation of 3-alkoxy-2-alkylbenzoic acids, intermediates, and representative compounds of the present invention are illustrated. EXAMPLE 1 - Preparation of 3-Methoxy-2-Methylbenzoic Acid 3-Amino-2-methylbenzoic acid, 140.3 grams (g), 0.93 mole, reacted in four portions, in 5.7 mass equivalents of methanol, was treated with 1.5 mole equivalents of concentrated sulfuric acid. The mixture was heated to 55°C and 1.05 mole equivalent of sodium nitrite dissolved in twice its mass of water was fed to the reaction over 30 to 45 minutes, maintaining the temperature between 55 and 65°C. Then 4.5 mole equivalents of 25% aqueous sodium hydroxide was added over one-half hour, followed by a half-hour feed of 2 mole equivalents of dimethyl sulfate at 50 to 60°C. After one-half hour the batch was assayed by gas chromatography (GC). Additional sodium hydroxide and dimethyl sulfate were added in portions until complete conversion was obtained. The methanol remaining was removed by vacuum, and the residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water made acidic with sulfuric acid. The ethyl acetate was removed under vacuum. The combined residues (152.8 g) dissolved in 350 g warm methanol were poured into a mixture of 278 g concentrated sulfuric acid and 1 liter (L) water. The resulting precipitate was collected by filtration, washed with water, and dried in vacuo, giving 135.8 g of material which was 96% pure as determined by GC. EXAMPLE 2 - Preparation of 3-Chloro-5-Methylbenzoic Acid A mixture containing 3,5-dimethylchlorobenzene (25 g, 180 mmoles), cobalt (II) acetate tetrahydrate (1.1 g, 4.5 mmol), and sodium bromide (0.46 g, 4.5 mmoles) in 50 milliliters (mL) of acetic acid was heated to 85 °C while air was bubbled in. After 55h, the reaction was judged to be complete by GC. After cooling to room temperature, the reaction mixture was filtered. The filtrate was partitioned between water (500 mL) and ethyl acetate (200 mL). The aqueous was extracted with 2 X 100 mL ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases were washed with water, then extracted with 4% aqueous sodium hydroxide (3 X 200 mL). The basic aqueous phases were cooled with ice and acidified with concentrated hydrochloric acid. The resulting white precipitate was collected by vacuum filtration and dried to yield 15.5 g of white solid (mp 175-177 °C) which was consistent with the structure 3-chloro-5-methyl benzoic acid by nmr and GC. EXAMPLE 3: Preparation of 3-Amino-2-Methylbenzoic Acid A solution of 2-methyl-3-nitrobenzoic acid (mp. 182-184°C, 22 g, 0.12 mol) in 400 mL of methanol was hydrogenated over platinum oxide (100 mg) for 45 minutes at 379.2 kPa [55 pounds per square inch (psi)], whereupon the catalyst was filtered off through a bed of Celite (50 g), and the solvent evaporated under reduced pressure to give 3-amino-2-methylbenzoic acid (mp. 178-181°C) in quantitative yield (18.3 g). EXAMPLE 4: Preparation of 3-Methoxy-2-Methylbenzoic Acid Ground 3-amino-2-methylbenzoic acid (17 g, 0.11 mole) was mixed with methanol (120 mL) in a 1-l 3-neck round bottom flask provided with a mechanical stirrer and a thermometer. To this mixture, concentrated sulfuric acid, 15.5 mL, was added dropwise with stirring. Upon the addition, the temperature of the mixture went up to 50°C. The addition time was 2 minutes. Following the addition, the flask was placed on a pre-heated oil bath and the temperature of 50-55°C inside the flask was maintained. Thereafter, a dropwise addition of sodium nitrite solution (8.1 g in 17 mL of water) was started. When the temperature reached 62°C, the heating under the oil bath was turned off. After additional 10 min on the oil bath (the heater still turned off), the temperature dropped to 55°C, at which point sodium hydroxide (50% aqueous, 55 g) diluted with water (55 mL) was added dropwise over 30 minutes, followed by water (55 mL) in one portion, and dimethyl sulfate (25 mL) dropwise in two portions (15 mL plus 10mL) over 30 minutes with 20 minutes apart. The reaction mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature whereupon it was poured over concentrated sulfuric acid, 40 mL, diluted with water (360 mL), the product collected by filtration, and dried in vacuo over 24 hours to give 3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoic acid (12 g). 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ ppm 2.50 (s, 3H), 3.85 (s, 3H), 7.03 (d. 1H, Ar), 7.22 (dd, 1H, C-5), 7.59 (d, 1H, Ar). EXAMPLE 5: Preparation of 3-Methoxy-2-Methylbenzoyl Chloride To 3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoic acid (454 g. 2.73 moles) in 1300 mL chloroform containing 20 g dimethyl formamide at 65°C, thionyl chloride (390 g) was added dropwise over 6 hours, whereupon the solvent was removed by evaporation at a reduced pressure. The residue (512 g) was distilled at 110°C at 1-2 mm Hg to give 3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl chloride (435 g). EXAMPLE 6: Preparation of N-(3,5-Dimethylbenzoyl)-N- tert -Butyl-Hydrazine A suspension of tert-butylhydrazine (290 g, 2.33 moles) in toluene (830 mL) was cooled to 5°C in an ice bath. Sodium hydroxide (50% aqueous; 180 g, 2.25 moles) mixed with ice (180 g) was slowly added over 30 minutes. To this was added di-tertbutyl dicarbonate (500 g; 2.29 moles) over 2 hours, while the temperature of the reaction kept close to 5°C. After the completion, the reaction was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred overnight. The organic layer was then washed with water and brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and stripped. The crude product was recrystallized from hexane to give a solid (338.7 g) which melted at 83-86°C. To this solid (320 g, 1.69 mol) in toluene (1 L) at 7°C, 3,5-dimethylbenzoyl chloride (268 g, 1.59 moles) and sodium hydroxide (50% aqueous, 127.23g, 1.59 moles) were added concurrently at such a rate that the temperature of the reaction mixture remained 5-9°C. After addition was complete (2 hours), the reaction mixture was allowed to reach room temperature, whereupon it was diluted with hexane and water, and the product filtered. Additional product was obtained by washing the organic portion of the filtrate with water and brine, evaporation of the solvent followed by trituration with hexane. The combined filtercake (470 g, 1.5 moles) was suspended in methanol (1500 mL) and treated with 37% hydrochloric acid (357 mL, 3.62 moles) at such a rate that the temperature remained below 35°C. Cooling on icebath was applied. After the addition was complete, the reaction mixture was stirred for 72 hours. Additional hydrochloric acid (50 mL) was added and reaction stirred briefly, then neutralized with aqueous sodium bicarbonate. The product was filtered, washed with water and dried to give 256 g of N-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N- tert -butylhydrazine. 1 H-NMR δ ppm 1.47 (s, 9H, t-Bu) 2.31 (s, 6H), 3.73 (s broad, 2H, NH 2 ) 7,00 (s, 1H, C-4), 7,05 (s, 2H, Ar- C-2 and 6). EXAMPLE 7: Preparation of N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine from Products of EXAMPLES 4 and 6 A solution of 3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoic acid (1.5 g, 0.01 mole) in thionyl chloride (10 mL) was refluxed for 45 minutes and then stripped under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in methylene chloride (50 mL) and added dropwise with cooling at 0°C to a solution of N-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N- tert -butylhydrazine (4.4 g. 0.02 mole) in methylene chloride (50 mL). Following the addition, the solution was stirred overnight at room temperature and filtered. The filter-cake was washed extensively with water and ether, and then dried in vacuo to give 2.1 g of N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, melting at 204 - 204.5°C. 1 H-NMR δ ppm 1.50 (s, 9H, tert-Bu), 1.63 (s, 3H, Ar-CH 3 ), 2.25 (s, 6H, di-CH 3 ) 3.75 (s, 3H, OCH 3 ), 6.26 (d, 1H, Ar), 6.93 - 7.20 (m, 5H, Ar). EXAMPLE 8: Preparation of N-(3-Methoxy-2-Methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -Butylhydrazine from Product of EXAMPLE 5 To a stirred suspension of tert -butylhydrazine hydrochloride (397 g, 3.27 mole) in methylene chloride (2 L) at 0°C, was added sodium hydroxide (50% aqueous, 260 g) diluted with water (400 mL). Following this, 3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl chloride (140 g, 0.78 mole) in methylene chloride (1 L) and sodium hydroxide (50% aqueous, 80 g) diluted with water (400 mL) were added concurrently at -20°C. After the addition was complete, the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and after additional 30 minutes, the organic layer was washed with water (4x500 mL), dried over magnesium sulfate and stripped to yield N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine (177 g). 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ ppm 1.19 (s, 9H, t-Bu), 2.29 (s, 3H, CH 3 ), 3.87 (s, 3H, OCH 3 ), 6.90 (d, 1H, C-4 or 6), 6.95 (d, 1H, C-4 or C6) 7.19 (dd, 1H, C-5). EXAMPLE 9: Preparation of N-3-Methoxy-2-Methylbenzoyl-N'-3,5-Dimethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -Butylhydrazine from Product of EXAMPLE 8 To a stirred solution of N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine (506 g, 2.14 mole) in methylene chloride (1.5 L) at 5°C were simultaneously added solutions of 3,5-dimethylbenzoyl chloride (360 g, 2.14 moles) in methylene chloride (500 mL) and sodium hydroxide (50% aqueous, 171.2 g, 2.14 moles) diluted with water (400 mL), at such a rate that the temperature of the mixture did not exceed 10°C. Following the addition, the reaction mixture was allowed to reach room temperature and stirred continuously for 1 additional hour, whereupon the reaction mixture was diluted with methylene chloride (12 L), washed with water, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and stripped to give N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine (663 g), melting at 204-204.5 °C. EXAMPLE 10: Preparation of 2-(3-Methoxyphenyl)-5,5-Dimethyloxazoline To a 500 mL, 3-neck, round-bottom flask equipped with thermometer, condenser, addition funnel, and magnetic stirring, was added 43.2 g (253 mmoles) of m-anisoyl chloride in 500 mL of methylene chloride. The solution was cooled on ice and 2-methyl-2-aminopropanol (56.4 g, 60.4 mL, 633 mmoles) dissolved in 50 mL of methylene chloride was added slowly with stirring. The mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and was stirred overnight. The solution was filtered from solids, and solvent was removed in vacuo. With ice cooling, thionyl chloride (90.8 g, 55.7 mL, 763 mmoles) was added to the remaining oil. The mixture was stirred for 1 hour at room temperature, and poured into 1 L of ether. The ether was decanted, and the remaining oil was carefully poured into 100 mL of 20% sodium hydroxide with ice cooling. After extraction several times with ether, the organic phases were combined, dried over magnesium sulfate, and solvent was removed in vacuo to yield a viscous yellow oil. The crude material was purified by column chromatography (1:1 ether:hexanes), or by distillation (5 mm Hg, b.p. =150° C), to yield a low-melting solid. EXAMPLE 11: Preparation of 2-Ethyl-3-Methoxybenzoic Acid A 5 L, 4-necked round-bottom flask equipped with addition funnel, overhead stirring, and nitrogen purge was dried and charged with 128 g (623 mmoles) of 2-(3-methoxyphenyl)-5,5-dimethyloxazoline in 2.5 L of tetrahydrofuran. The mixture was cooled to -65 °C in a dry ice/isopropanol bath, and 450 mL of 1.6 N n -butyl lithium was added slowly. After complete addition, the mixture was stirred for 1.5 hours at -45 to -30 °C. After cooling to -45 °C, ethyl iodide was added (80 mL, 1 mole). The temperature was maintained at -45 °C for 20 minutes, the mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and was stirred overnight. Saturated ammonium chloride was added with ice cooling, and the mixture extracted several times with ether. The organic extracts were combined, dried over sodium sulfate, and solvent was removed in vacuo to give an oily solid. The solid was dissolved in 1L of 6N hydrochloric acid in 3:1 water:methanol and heated at reflux for 15 hours. The hydrolysis was monitored by 1 H NMR and shown to be about 75% complete. Additional acid was added (200 mL of 6N hydrochloric acid in 3:1 water:methanol), and the mixture was heated again at reflux for 8 hours. The mixture was cooled on ice, solids were collected, and dissolved in 10% aq. sodium hydroxide/methylene chloride. The aqueous layer was removed, acidified, and filtered to yield a tan solid which was air-dried at room temperature (53 g). An additional 23 g of product was obtained by further acidic hydrolysis of the methylene chloride extract. The melting point of the desired acid was 100-101 °C. EXAMPLE 12: Preparation of N-(2-Ethyl-3-Methoxybenzoyl)-N'-3,5-Dimethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -Butylhydrazine To a 25 mL round-bottom flask was added 2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl chloride (0.52 g, 2.9 mmoles) and 2 mL thionyl chloride. The mixture was heated at reflux for two hours, and excess thionyl chloride was removed in vacuo to yield 2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl chloride as a tan solid. The acid chloride and 0.60 g (2.72 mmoles) N-t-butyl-N-3,5-dimethylbenzoylhydrazine was dissolved in 5 mL of methylene chloride and the solution was cooled in an ice bath. Potassium carbonate (0.83 g, 6.0 mmoles) in 2 mL of water was added and the mixture was stirred gently first at 0 °C for several hours, and then at room temperature overnight. The methylene chloride layer was removed, and the mixture was extracted once again with methylene chloride. The organic phases were combined, dried over magnesium sulfate, and the solvent was evaporated. The resultant solid was washed several times with 1:1 ether:hexanes and dried for one hour at 70 °C to yield 1.0 g, m.p. 146 °C. EXAMPLE 13: Preparation of 2-Ethyl-3-Methoxy-4-Methylbenzoic Acid 2-(2-Ethyl-3-methoxy-4-methylphenyl)-5,5-dimethyloxazoline, synthesized in like manner according to EXAMPLE 10, (2.7 g, 13.1 mmoles) and 2.2 mL (35.3 mmoles) of methyl iodide were dissolved in 4 mL of dimethyl sulfoxide. The resultant mixture was stirred for 18 hours at room temperature. A solution of 4.2 g of potassium hydroxide in 35 mL of water was added, and the mixture was heated at reflux for 8 hours. About 40 g ice was added, and the solution was extracted with ether. The aqueous layer was cooled on ice and acidified with 5% hydrochloric acid. The resulting precipitate was filtered and air-dried to yield 1.69 g of product. 1 H NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ), δ=7.72 (1H, d, 8 Hz), 7.1 (1H, d, 8 Hz), 3.77 (3H, s), 3.06 (2H, q, 7 Hz), 2.36 (3H, s), 1.22 (3H, t, 7 Hz) ppm. EXAMPLE 15: Preparation of 2-Isopropyl-3-Methoxybenzoic Acid A 500 mL round-bottom flask equipped with nitrogen purge, septum inlet, and magnetic stirring, was dried under an atmosphere of nitrogen and charged with 5 g (21.2 mmoles) of 2-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)-5,5-dimethyloxazoline (which was synthesized in a like manner according to EXAMPLE 10) and 100 mL of tetrahydrofuran. The solution was cooled to 10 °C and 58 mL of 2N isopropylmagnesium chloride/ether was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight and poured into a 1:1 mixture of saturated ammonium chloride and ice. The mixture was extracted twice with ether; the organic layers were combined, dried over magnesium sulfate, and the solvent was removed in vacuo to yield 5.3 g of a yellow oil. This was dissolved in 200 mL of 6N hydrochloric acid and heated at reflux for 8.5 hours. The mixture was extracted several times with ether, and the combined organic phases were dried over sodium sulfate. The solvent was removed in vacuo to yield 4.6 g of oil which crystallized on standing. 1 H NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ), δ=7.29 (1H, dd, 1.5, 7.5 Hz), 7.21 (1H, t, 7.5 Hz), 7.01 (1H, dd, 1.5, 7 Hz), 3.85 (3H, s), 3.65 (1H, m), 1.37 (6H, d, 7 Hz) ppm. BIOLOGICAL TEST METHODS In evaluating the insecticidal activity of the compounds of the present invention, the following test procedures were employed. A test solution containing 600 parts per million (ppm) was made by dissolving a compound of this invention in a 1:1 acetone:methanol solution, then adding water to give a 5:5:90 acetone:methanol:water solution, and finally a surfactant was added at an equivalent of 28.4g (1 ounce) of surfactant per 378.5 L (100 gallons) of test solution. Serial dilutions were prepared in water from the 600 ppm solution. Foliar insecticidal evaluations were made on one or both of the following pests: the Southern Armyworm (SAW), Spodoptera eridania, and the Potato Leafhopper (PLH), Empoasca fabae. Whole Plant Tests For the whole plant Southern Armyworm test, individually potted lima bean plants, Phaseolus limensis var. Henderson, were sprayed to runoff [0.094 L/m 2 (100 gallons per acre)] with the test solution using a DeVilbiss Model No. 152 hand sprayer. Upon drying, two leaves were removed from the plant and were placed on moistened filter paper in a Petri dish (100 X 20 millimeters). The dish was infested with 10 third instar larvae of the Southern Armyworm and covered with the lid. If the larvae were alive three days after treatment, the filter paper was replaced and fresh untreated bean leaves were added. All treatments were maintained at 23.9-26.7°C (75-80° F) under fluorescent light in a well ventilated room. Percent mortality was determined at three and six days after treatment. For the whole plant Potato Leafhopper test, individually potted fava bean plants. Vicia faba var. Long Pod, were sprayed to runoff [0.094 L/m 2 (100 gallons per acre)] with the test solution using a DeVilbiss Model No. 152 hand sprayer. Upon drying, two leaves were removed from the plant and were placed into two Petri dishes (50 X 9 millimeters), one leaf per dish, on moistened filter pads. Each dish was infested with 5 third instar nymphs of the Potato Leafhopper and covered with the tight fitting lid. All treatments were maintained at 23.9-26.7°C (75-80° F) under fluorescent light in a well ventilated room. Percent mortality was determined at three days after treatment. Detached Leaf Test For the detached leaf Southern Armyworm test, an individual lima bean leaf, Phaseolus limensis var. Woods' Prolific, was placed on moistened filter paper in a Petri dish (100 X 20 millimeters). The leaf was sprayed with the test solution using a rotating turntable sprayer and allowed to dry. The dish was infested with 10 third instar larvae of the Southern Armyworm and covered with the lid. If the larvae were alive two days after treatment, fresh untreated bean leaves were added. All treatments were maintained at 23.9-26.7°C (75-80° F) under fluorescent light in a well ventilated room. Percent mortality was determined at two and four days after treatment. The following tables exemplify, but do not limit, the preferred compounds of the present invention. In Tables IA and IC, the SAW (6 Day) column headings are the concentrations of the compounds of this invention at two different concentrations, 10 and 2.5 parts per million (ppm), and the observed percentage mortality for Southern Armyworm larvae at the listed concentration after 6 days using the whole plant test, unless noted otherwise. In Table II, the PLH (3 Day) column heading is the observed percentage mortality for the Potato Leafhopper when treated with a compound of the present invention at a concentration of 10 ppm. Results of Testing on Potato Leafhopper Compound Number PLH (3 Day) at 10 ppm 54 100 55 100 56 100 58 80 59 100 60 90 72 60 77 90 78 90 "Celite" is a trademark of Celite Corporation which may be registered in one or more of the designated states.

Claims: An insecticidal compound having the formula N-(2-R a -3-R b -4-R h -benzoyl)-N'-(2-R c -3-R d -4-R e -5-R f -benzoyl)-N'-R g -hydrazine wherein R a is (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl; R b is (C 1 -C 4 )alkoxy, optionally substituted with halo; R c is hydrogen; R d and R f are each independently selected from hydrogen, bromo, chloro, fluoro, (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 4 )alkoxy, and (C 1 -C 4 )alkoxy(C 1 -C 3 )alkyl; R e is hydrogen, R g is a (C 4 -C 6 )alkyl; and R h is hydrogen. An insecticidal compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R a is (C 1 -C 3 )alkyl; R b is (C 1 -C 4 )alkoxy; R c is hydrogen; R d and R f are each independently selected from hydrogen, bromo, chloro, fluoro, (C 1 -C 3 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 4 )alkoxy, and (C 1 -C 2 )alkoxy(C 1 -C 2 )alkyl; R e is hydrogen; R g is a (C 4 -C 6 )alkyl; and R h is hydrogen. An insecticidal compound as claimed in claim 2 wherein R a is methyl or ethyl: R b is methoxy, trifluoromethoxy or ethoxy; R d and R f are each independently selected from hydrogen, bromo, chloro, fluoro, methyl, methoxy and methoxymethyl); R c and R e are both hydrogen; and R g is tert -butyl, neopentyl or methylneopentyl. An insecticidal compound as claimed in claim 3 wherein R a is methyl or ethyl; R b is methoxy or ethoxy; R d and R f are each independently selected from hydrogen, bromo, chloro, fluoro, methyl and methoxy; R g is tert -butyl; and R c , R e and R h are hydrogen. An insecticidal compound as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 which is selected from: N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-chloro-5-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N' -tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dichlorobenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-benzoyl-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-methoxy-5-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-bromo-5-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-bromo-5-chlorobenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-difluorobenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-fluorobenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-ethoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-chlorobenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(2-methyl-3-trifluoromethoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-ethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3-chloro-5-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dichlorobenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-ethoxy-2-ethylbenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'-neopentylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'-(methylneopentyl)hydrazine N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'-neopentylhydrazine, and N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'-(methylneopentyl)hydrazine. An insecticidal compound as claimed in claim 1 which is selected from: N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-chloro-5-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dichlorobenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-methoxy-5-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-bromo-5-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-bromo-5-chlorobenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-difluorobenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-fluorobenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-ethoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-chlorobenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(2-methyl-3-trifluoromethoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-ethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3-chloro-5-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-difluorobenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, and N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dichlorobenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine. An insecticidal compound as claimed in claim 1 which is selected from: N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-chloro-5-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-ethoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dichlorobenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, and N-(3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoyl)-N'-(3-methoxy-5-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine. An insecticidal compound as claimed in claim 1 which is selected from: N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3-chloro-5-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3-methylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine, and N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'- tert -butylhydrazine. An insecticidal composition comprising one or more compound as claimed in any of the preceding claims, and an agronomically acceptable carrier. An insecticidal composition comprising one or more compound as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, and a surfactant. A method for controlling insects, which comprises contacting the insects with an insecticidally effective amount of a compound as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, or an insecticidal composition as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10 A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the insects are of the order Lepidoptera or Homoptera. Use of a compound as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, or a composition as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, to control insects.

Inventors: HORMANN ROBERT EUGENE, LE DAT PHAT, LIDERT ZEV, OPIE THOMAS RANSON, HORMANN, ROBERT EUGENE, LE, DAT PHAT, LIDERT, ZEV, OPIE, THOMAS RANSON
Applicants: ROHM & HAAS, ROHM AND HAAS COMPANY
Application year: 1993
Main classification: C07C243
IPC codes: A01N37, C07D213, A01N43, C07C311, C07C255, C07D307, C07C275, C07C251, C07D303, C07D317, C07C323, C07C243, C07D333, C07D207, C07D319, C07C327, C07D241