Patent Description:
Weed control is one of the most important links in the course of achieving high-efficiency agriculture. Various herbicides are available in the market, for example, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and the like disclose a series of compounds represented by the general formula
<CHM>
and application thereof as herbicides, but enantiomers of the compounds are not mentioned. <CIT> and <CIT> disclose compounds represented by a generic formula
<CHM>
including exemplary compounds such as <NUM>-[<NUM>-amino-<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-trichloro-<NUM>-(pyridyloxy)]-propionic acid and <NUM>-[<NUM>-amino-<NUM>,<NUM>-dichloro-<NUM>-(pyridyloxy)]-propionic acid. <CIT> discloses compounds represented by a generic formula
<CHM>
including exemplary compounds such as <NUM>-[<NUM>-amino-<NUM>,<NUM>-dichloro-<NUM>-(pyridyloxy)]-propionic acid:ethyl ester. <CIT> discloses compounds represented by a generic formula
<CHM>
including exemplary compounds such as <NUM>-[<NUM>-amino-<NUM>,<NUM>-dichloro-<NUM>-(pyridyloxy)]-propionic acid:ethyl ester. Scientists still need to do continuously research and develop new herbicides with high efficacy, safety, economics and different modes of action due to problems such as the growing market, weed resistance, the service life and economics of pesticides as well as people's increasing concern on environment.

The present invention provides an ester of R-pyridyloxycarboxylic acid, preparation method, herbicidal composition and application thereof. The compound has excellent herbicidal activity and higher crop safety, especially good selectivity for key crops such as rice.

The embodiments of the present invention are reflected in independent claims <NUM>, and <NUM>-<NUM>.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention are reflected in dependent claims <NUM>-<NUM>.

The technical solution adopted by the invention is as follows:.

The present disclosure provides an R-pyridyloxycarboxylic acid represented by formula I and salt, thereof as reference compounds,
<CHM>.

An ester according to the present invention is
<CHM>
wherein A, B each independently represent halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, halo C1-C6 alkyl or C3-C6 cycloalkyl;.

As disclosed herein, an ester of Formula I-<NUM>
<CHM>
may comprise a structure wherein, X represents O or S;.

M represents alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, -alkyl-Z,
<CHM>
<CHM>
with or without halogen; or unsubstituted or substituted heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl;.

Z represents
<CHM>
cyano, nitro, or unsubstituted or substituted heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl;.

R<NUM> each independently represents alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl or unsubstituted or substituted heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclylalkyl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl;.

R<NUM>, R<NUM>, R<NUM> each independently represent hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl or unsubstituted or substituted heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclylalkyl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl.

Preferably, A, B each independently represent halogen; or C1-C8 alkyl or C3-C8 cycloalkyl with or without halogen;.

C represents hydrogen, halogen, C1-C8 alkyl or halo C1-C8 alkyl;.

Q represents halogen, cyano, cyano C1-C8 alkyl, hydroxy C1-C8 alkyl, amino, nitro, formyl; C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, C1-C8 alkoxy, C1-C8 alkylthio, C1-C8 alkylcarbonyl, C1-C8 alkoxycarbonyl, C1-C8 alkylamino C1-C8 alkyl or C1-C8 alkoxy C1-C8 alkyl with or without halogen; or unsubstituted or substituted aryl, heteroaryl, aryl C1-C8 alkyl, heteroaryl C1-C8 alkyl;.

Y represents nitro or NR<NUM>R<NUM>, wherein R<NUM> represents H; C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl or C2-C8 alkynyl optionally substituted by <NUM>-<NUM> R<NUM>; -COR<NUM>, nitro, OR<NUM>, SO<NUM>R<NUM>, NR<NUM>R<NUM>, N=CR<NUM>R<NUM>, C1-C8 alkylcarbamoyl, di-C1-C8 alkylcarbamoyl, tri-C1-C8 alkylsilyl or di-C1-C8 alkylphosphono; R<NUM> represents H; C1-C8 alkyl optionally substituted by <NUM>-<NUM> R<NUM>; or -COR<NUM>; or NR<NUM>R<NUM> represents N=CR<NUM>NR<NUM>R<NUM>, N=CR<NUM>OR<NUM>; or
<CHM>
that is unsubstituted or substituted by <NUM>-<NUM> groups independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, C1-C8 alkyl, C1-C8 alkoxy, halo C1-C8 alkoxy, C1-C8 alkylthio, halo C1-C8 alkylthio, amino, C1-C8 alkylamino, di-C1-C8 alkylamino, C1-C8 alkoxycarbonyl;.

More preferably, A, B each independently represent halogen; or C1-C6 alkyl or C3-C6 cycloalkyl with or without halogen;.

Further preferably, A, B each independently represent halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, halo C1-C6 alkyl or C3-C6 cycloalkyl;.

More further preferably, A, B each independently represent fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, trifluoromethyl or cyclopropyl;.

In the definition of the compound represented by the above general formula I and in all the structural formula below, the term, whether used alone or in a compound name, refers to the following substituent: an alkyl group having more than two carbon atoms may be straight or branched. For example, in the compound name "-alkyl-OR"", alkyl may be -CH<NUM>-, -CH<NUM>CH<NUM>-, -CH(CH<NUM>)-, -C(CH<NUM>)<NUM>- and the like. The alkyl group is, for example, C1 alkyl-methyl; C2 alkyl-ethyl; C3 alkyl-propyl such as n-propyl or isopropyl; C4 alkyl-butyl such as n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl or <NUM>-butyl; C5 alkyl-pentyl such as n-pentyl; C6-alkyl-hexyl such as n-hexyl, isohexyl or <NUM>,<NUM>-dimethylbutyl. Similarly, alkenyl includes, for example, allyl, <NUM>-methylprop-<NUM>-en-<NUM>-yl, <NUM>-methylprop-<NUM>-en-<NUM>-yl, but-<NUM>-en-<NUM>-yl, but-<NUM>-en-<NUM>-yl, <NUM>-methylbut-<NUM>-en-<NUM>-yl and <NUM>-methylbut-<NUM>-en-<NUM>-yl. Alkynyl includes, for example, propargyl, but-<NUM>-yn-<NUM>-yl, but-<NUM>-yn-<NUM>-yl, <NUM>-methylbut-<NUM>-yn-<NUM>-yl. Multiple bond can be at any position of each unsaturated group. Cycloalkyl is a carbocyclic saturated ring system having, for example, three to six carbon atoms, such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl. Similarly, cycloalkenyl is a monocyclic alkenyl having, for example, three to six carbocyclic members, such as cyclopropenyl, cyclobutenyl, cyclopentenyl, and cyclohexenyl, wherein double bond can be at any position. Halogen is fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.

If a group is substituted by a group, it is understood to mean that the group is substituted by one or more identical or different groups selected from those mentioned above. Further, the same or different substitution characters contained in the same or different substituents are independently selected, and may be the same or different.

In addition, unless specifically indicated, the term occurring before or after multiple juxtaposed substituents (separated by "," or "or") in the present invention has a limiting effect on each of the subsequent substituents, for example, the term "unsubstituted or substituted" in the expression "unsubstituted or substituted aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl" has a limiting effect on each of the subsequent groups "aryl", "heteroaryl", "arylalkyl" and "heteroarylalkyl".

The preparation method of the R-pyridyloxycarboxylic acid and salt, ester derivative thereof comprises the following steps.

A compound of formula III is reacted with a compound of formula II to obtain a compound of formula I-<NUM>-<NUM>; the reaction scheme is as follows:
<CHM>
wherein, W represents an alkali metal, preferably K, Na; Hal represents halogen, preferably Br, Cl; the reaction is carried out in the presence of a catalyst and a solvent. Preferably, the catalyst is TBAB, and the solvent is one or more selected from the group consisting of DCM, DCE, ACN, THF, DMF.

The compound of formula I-<NUM>-<NUM> is reacted in the presence of a lithium hydroxide aqueous solution and a solvent to obtain a compound of formula I; the reaction scheme is as follows:
<CHM>
preferably, the solvent is one or more selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol.

The compound of formula I is reacted with M-SH to obtain a compound of formula I-<NUM>-<NUM>; the reaction scheme is as follows:
<CHM>.

The salt is an agrochemically acceptable salt, which is preferably prepared by reacting the R-pyridyloxycarboxylic acid compound of the present invention with a chemically acceptable basic compound.

For example, in the present application, the diethylamine salt is prepared by reacting the R-pyridyloxycarboxylic acid compound of the present invention with diethylamine.

For another example, the salt of <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tri(dimethylaminomethyl) phenol and sodium hydroxide refers to the salt obtained by reacting the R-pyridyloxycarboxylic acid compound of the present invention with <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tri(dimethylaminomethyl) phenol and sodium hydroxide
<CHM>.

The aforesaid agrochemically acceptable salt can be easily separated and can be purified by conventional separation methods such as solvent extraction, dilution, recrystallization, column chromatography, and preparative thin layer chromatography.

The present invention provides a herbicidal composition comprising (i) at least one of an R-type pyridyloxycarboxylic acid ester of the formula I-<NUM>; preferably, further comprising (ii) one or more further herbicides and/or safeners; more preferably, further comprising (iii) agrochemically acceptable formulation auxiliaries.

The present invention provides a method for controlling a weed comprising applying a herbicidally effective amount of at least one of the R-type pyridyloxycarboxylic acid and salt, ester derivative thereof or the herbicidal composition on a plant or in a weed area. Preferably, the plant is rice, or the weed is a gramineous weed (such as Echinochloa crusgalli, Digitaria sanguinalis, Semen Euphorbiae Lathyridis) or a broad-leaved weed (such as Monochoria Vaginalis, Abutilon.

Use of at least one of the R-pyridyloxycarboxylic acid and salt, ester derivative thereof or the herbicidal composition for controlling a weed, preferably, the R-pyridyloxycarboxylic acid and salt, ester derivative thereof being used to control a weed in a useful crop, wherein the useful crop is a genetically modified crop or a crop treated by gene editing technology. Preferably, the crop is rice, or the weed is a gramineous weed (such as Echinochloa crusgalli, Digitaria sanguinalis, Semen Euphorbiae Lathyridis) or a broad-leaved weed (such as Monochoria Vaginalis, Abutilon.

The compounds of the formula I-<NUM> according to the invention have an outstanding herbicidal activity against a broad spectrum of economically important monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous harmful plants. The active compounds also act efficiently on perennial weeds which produce shoots from rhizomes, root stocks or other perennial organs and which are difficult to control. In this context, it is generally immaterial whether the substances are applied pre-sowing, pre-emergence or post-emergence. Specifically, examples may be mentioned of some representatives of the monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weed flora which can be controlled by the compounds according to the invention, without these being a restriction to certain species. Examples of weed species on which the active compounds act efficiently are, from amongst the monocotyledons, Avena, Lolium, Alopecurus, Phalaris, Echinochloa, Digitaria, Setaria and also Cyperus species from the annual sector and from amongst the perennial species Agropyron, Cynodon, Imperata and Sorghum, and also perennial Cyperus species.

In the case of the dicotyledonous weed species, the spectrum of action extends to species such as, for example, Galium, Viola, Veronica, Lamium, Stellaria, Amaranthus, Sinapis, Ipomoea, Sida, Matricaria and Abutilon from amongst the annuals, and Convolvulus, Cirsium, Rumex and Artemisia in the case of the perennial weeds. The active compounds according to the invention also effect outstanding control of harmful plants which occur under the specific conditions of rice growing such as, for example, Echinochloa, Sagittaria, Alisma, Eleocharis, Scirpus and Cyperus. If the compounds according to the invention are applied to the soil surface prior to germination, then the weed seedlings are either prevented completely from emerging, or the weeds grow until they have reached the cotyledon stage but then their growth stops, and, eventually, after three to four weeks have elapsed, they die completely. In particular, the compounds according to the invention exhibit excellent activity against Apera spica venti, Chenopodium album, Lamium purpureum, Polygonum convulvulus, Stellaria media, Veronica hederifolia, Veronica persica, Viola tricolor and against Amaranthus, Galium and Kochia species.

Although the compounds according to the invention have an excellent herbicidal activity against monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weeds, crop plants of economically important crops such as, for example, wheat, barley, rye, rice, corn, sugarbeet, cotton and soya, are not damaged at all, or only to a negligible extent. In particular, they have excellent compatibility in cereals, such as wheat, barley and corn, in particular wheat. For these reasons, the present compounds are highly suitable for selectively controlling undesired plant growth in plantings for agricultural use or in plantings of ornamentals.

Owing to their herbicidal properties, these active compounds can also be employed for controlling harmful plants in crops of known or still to be developed genetically engineered plants. The transgenic plants generally have particularly advantageous properties, for example resistance to certain pesticides, in particular certain herbicides, resistance to plant diseases or causative organisms of plant diseases, such as certain insects or microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria or viruses. Other particular properties relate, for example, to the quantity, quality, storage-stability, composition and to specific ingredients of the harvested product. Thus, transgenic plants having an increased starch content or a modified quality of the starch or those having a different fatty acid composition of the harvested produce are known.

The use of the compounds of the formula I-<NUM> according to the invention in economically important transgenic crops of useful and ornamental plants, for example of cereal, such as wheat, barley, rye, oats, millet, rice, maniok and corn, or else in crops of sugarbeet, cotton, soya, rapeseed, potato, tomato, pea and other vegetable species is preferred. The compounds of the formula I can preferably be used as herbicides in crops of useful plants which are resistant or which have been made resistant by genetic engineering toward the phytotoxic effects of the herbicides.

Conventional ways for preparing novel plants which have modified properties compared to known plants comprise, for example, traditional breeding methods and the generation of mutants. Alternatively, novel plants having modified properties can be generated with the aid of genetic engineering methods (see, for example, <CIT>, <CIT>). For example, there have been described several cases of genetically engineered changes in crop plants in order to modify the starch synthesized in the plants (for example <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>),.

Numerous molecular biological techniques which allow the preparation of novel transgenic plants having modified properties are known in principle; see, for example, <NPL>. ; or <NPL>, or <NPL>). In order to carry out such genetic engineering manipulations, it is possible to introduce nucleic acid molecules into plasmids which allow a mutagenesis or a change in the sequence to occur by recombination of DNA sequences. Using the abovementioned standard processes it is possible, for example, to exchange bases, to remove partial sequences or to add natural or synthetic sequences. To link the DNA fragments with each other, it is possible to attach adaptors or linkers to the fragments.

Plant cells having a reduced activity of a gene product can be prepared, for example, by expressing at least one appropriate antisense-RNA, a sense-RNA to achieve a cosuppression effect, or by expressing at least one appropriately constructed ribozyme which specifically cleaves transcripts of the abovementioned gene product.

To this end it is possible to employ both DNA molecules which comprise the entire coding sequence of a gene product including any flanking sequences that may be present, and DNA molecules which comprise only parts of the coding sequence, it being necessary for these parts to be long enough to cause an antisense effect in the cells. It is also possible to use DNA sequences which have a high degree of homology to the coding sequences of a gene product but which are not entirely identical.

When expressing nucleic acid molecules in plants, the synthesized protein can be localized in any desired compartment of the plant cells. However, to achieve localization in a certain compartment, it is, for example, possible to link the coding region with DNA sequences which ensure localization in a certain compartment. Such sequences are known to the person skilled in the art (see, for example, <NPL>; <NPL>; <NPL>).

The transgenic plant cells can be regenerated to whole plants using known techniques. The transgenic plants can in principle be plants of any desired plant species, i. both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants. In this manner, it is possible to obtain transgenic plants which have modified properties by overexpression, suppression or inhibition of homologous (=natural) genes or gene sequences or by expression of heterologous (=foreign) genes or gene sequences.

When using the active compounds according to the invention in transgenic crops, in addition to the effects against harmful plants which can be observed in other crops, there are frequently effects which are specific for the application in the respective transgenic crop, for example a modified or specifically broadened spectrum of weeds which can be controlled, modified application rates which can be used for the application, preferably good combinability with the herbicides to which the transgenic crops are resistant, and an effect on the growth and the yield of the transgenic crop plants. The invention therefore also provides for the use of the compounds according to the invention as herbicides for controlling harmful plants in transgenic crop plants.

In addition, the substances according to the invention have outstanding growth-regulating properties in crop plants. They engage in the plant metabolism in a regulating manner and can this be employed for the targeted control of plant constituents and for facilitating harvesting, for example by provoking desiccation and stunted growth. Furthermore, they are also suitable for generally regulating and inhibiting undesirable vegetative growth, without destroying the plants in the process. Inhibition of vegetative growth plays an important role in many monocotyledon and dicotyledon crops because lodging can be reduced hereby, or prevented completely.

The compounds according to the invention can be applied in the customary formulations in the form of wettable powders, emulsifiable concentrates, sprayable solutions, dusts or granules. The invention therefore also provides herbicidal compositions comprising compounds of the formula I. The compounds of the formula I can be formulated in various ways depending on the prevailing biological and/or chemico-physical parameters. Examples of suitable formulation options are: wettable powders (WP), water-soluble powders (SP), water-soluble concentrates, emulsifiable concentrates (EC), emulsions (EW), such as oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions, sprayable solutions, suspension concentrates (SC), oil dispersions (OD), oil- or water-based dispersions, oil-miscible solutions, dusts (DP), capsule suspensions (CS), seed-dressing compositions, granules for broadcasting and soil application, granules (GR) in the form of microgranules, spray granules, coating granules and adsorption granules, water-dispersible granules (WG), water-soluble granules (SG), ULV formulations, microcapsules and waxes. These individual formulation types are known in principle and are described, for example, in <NPL>; <NPL>; <NPL>on.

The necessary formulation auxiliaries, such as inert materials, surfactants, solvents and other additives, are likewise known and are described, for example, in <NPL>. ; <NPL>; <NPL>. ;<NPL>; <NPL>; <NPL>.

Wettable powders are preparations which are uniformly dispersible in water and which contain, in addition to the active compound and as well as a diluent or inert substance, surfactants of ionic and/or nonionic type (wetting agents, dispersants), for example polyethoxylated alkyl phenols, polyethoxylated fatty alcohols, polyethoxylated fatty amines, fatty alcohol polyglycol ethersulfates, alkanesulfonates, alkylbenzenesulfonates, sodium ligninsulfonate, sodium <NUM>,<NUM>'-dinaphthylmethane-<NUM>,<NUM>'-disulfonate, sodium dibutyinaphthalenesulfona-te or else sodium oleoylmethyltaurinate. To prepare the wettable powders, the herbicidally active compounds are finely ground, for example in customary apparatus such as hammer mills, fan mills and air-jet mills, and are mixed simultaneously or subsequently with the formulation auxiliaries.

Emulsifiable concentrates are prepared by dissolving the active compound in an organic solvent, for example butanol, cyclohexanone, dimethylformamide, xylene or else relatively high-boiling aromatic compounds or hydrocarbons or mixtures of the solvents, with the addition of one or more surfactants of ionic and/or nonionic type (emulsifiers). Examples of emulsifiers which can be used are calcium alkylarylsulfonates, such as Ca dodecylbenzenesulfonate, or nonionic emulsifiers, such as fatty acid polyglycol esters, alkylaryl polyglycol ethers, fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers, propylene oxide-ethylene oxide condensation products, alkyl polyethers, sorbitan esters, for example sorbitan fatty acid esters or polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters, for example polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters.

Dusts are obtained by grinding the active compound with finely divided solid substances, for example talc, natural clays, such as kaolin, bentonite and pyrophyllite, or diatomaceous earth. Suspension concentrates can be water- or oil-based. They can be prepared, for example, by wet milling using commercially customary bead mills, with or without the addition of surfactants as already mentioned above, for example, in the case of the other formulation types.

Emulsions, for example oil-in-water emulsions (EW), can be prepared for example by means of stirrers, colloid mills and/or static mixers using aqueous organic solvents and, if desired, surfactants as already mentioned above, for example, in the case of the other formulation types.

Granules can be prepared either by spraying the active compound onto adsorptive, granulated inert material or by applying active-compound concentrates to the surface of carriers such as sand, kaolinites or granulated inert material, by means of adhesive binders, for example polyvinyl alcohol, sodium polyacrylate or else mineral oils. Suitable active compounds can also be granulated in the manner which is customary for the preparation of fertilizer granules, if desired as a mixture with fertilizers. Water-dispersible granules are generally prepared by the customary processes, such as spray-drying, fluidized-bed granulation, disk granulation, mixing using high-speed mixers, and extrusion without solid inert material.

For the preparation of disk, fluidized-bed, extruder and spray granules, see for example processes in "<NPL>on; <NPL>. For further details on the formulation of crop protection products, see for example <NPL> and <NPL>.

The agrochemical formulations generally contain from <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight, in particular from <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight, of active compound of the formula I. In wettable powders the concentration of active compound is, for example, from about <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight, the remainder to <NUM>% by weight consisting of customary formulation constituents. In emulsifiable concentrates the concentration of active compound can be from about <NUM> to <NUM>%, preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>%, by weight. Formulations in the form of dusts contain from <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight of active compound, preferably most commonly from <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight of active compound, while sprayable solutions contain from about <NUM>. <NUM> to <NUM>%, preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>%, by weight of active compound. In the case of water-dispersible granules the content of active compound depends partly on whether the active compound is in liquid or solid form and on the granulation auxiliaries, fillers, etc. that are used. In water-dispersible granules the content of active compound, for example, is between <NUM> and <NUM>% by weight, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>% by weight.

In addition, said formulations of active compound may comprise the tackifiers, wetting agents, dispersants, emulsifiers, penetrants, preservatives, antifreeze agents, solvents, fillers, carriers, colorants, antifoams, evaporation inhibitors and pH and viscosity regulators which are customary in each case.

Based on these formulations it is also possible to produce combinations with other pesticidally active substances, for example insecticides, acaricides, herbicides and fungicides, and also with safeners, fertilizers and/or growth regulators, for example in the form of a ready-mix or tank mix.

Suitable active compounds which can be combined with the active compounds according to the invention in mixed formulations or in a tank mix are, for example, known active compounds as described in for example <NPL>. <NUM> and in the literature cited therein. For example the following active compounds may be mentioned as herbicides which can be combined with the compounds of the formula I (note: the compounds are either named by the "common name" in accordance with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) or by the chemical names, if appropriate together with a customary code number): acetochlor, butachlor, alachlor, propisochlor, metolachlor, s-metolachlor, pretilachlor, propachlor, ethachlor, napropamide, R-left handed napropamide, propanil, mefenacet, diphenamid, diflufenican, ethaprochlor, beflubutamid, bromobutide, dimethenamid, dimethenamid-P, etobenzanid, flufenacet, thenylchlor, metazachlor, isoxaben, flamprop-M-methyl, flamprop-M-propyl, allidochlor, pethoxamid, chloranocryl, cyprazine, mefluidide, monalide, delachlor, prynachlor, terbuchlor, xylachlor, dimethachlor, cisanilide, trimexachlor, clomeprop, propyzamide, pentanochlor, carbetamide, benzoylprop-ethyl, cyprazole, butenachlor, tebutam, benzipram, mogrton, dichlofluanid, naproanilide, diethatyl-ethyl, naptalam, flufenacet, benzadox, chlorthiamid, chlorophthalimide, isocarbamide, picolinafen, atrazine, simazine, prometryn, cyanatryn, simetryn, ametryn, propazine, dipropetryn, SSH-<NUM>, terbutryn, terbuthylazine, triaziflam, cyprazine, proglinazine, trietazine, prometon, simetone, aziprotryne, desmetryn, dimethametryn, procyazine, mesoprazine, sebuthylazine, secbumeton, terbumeton, methoprotryne, cyanatryn, ipazine, chlorazine, atraton, pendimethalin, eglinazine, cyanuric acid, indaziflam, chlorsulfuron, metsulfuron-methyl, bensulfuron methyl, chlorimuron-ethyl, tribenuron-methyl, thifensulfuron-methyl, pyrazosulfuron-ethyl, mesosulfuron, iodosulfuron-methyl sodium, foramsulfuron, cinosulfuron, triasulfuron, sulfometuron methyl, nicosulfuron, ethametsulfuron-methyl, amidosulfuron, ethoxysulfuron, cyclosulfamuron, rimsulfuron, azimsulfuron, flazasulfuron, monosulfuron, monosulfuron-ester, flucarbazone-sodium, flupyrsulfuron-methyl, halosulfuron-methyl, oxasulfuron, imazosulfuron, primisulfuron, propoxycarbazone, prosulfuron, sulfosulfuron, trifloxysulfuron, triflusulfuron-methyl, tritosulfuron, sodium metsulfuron methyl, flucetosulfuron, HNPC-C, orthosulfamuron, propyrisulfuron, metazosulfuron, acifluorfen, fomesafen, lactofen, fluoroglycofen, oxyfluorfen, chlornitrofen, aclonifen, ethoxyfen-ethyl, bifenox, nitrofluorfen, chlomethoxyfen, fluorodifen, fluoronitrofen, furyloxyfen, nitrofen, TOPE, DMNP, PPG1013, AKH-<NUM>, halosafen, chlortoluron, isoproturon, linuron, diuron, dymron, fluometuron, benzthiazuron, methabenzthiazuron, cumyluron, ethidimuron, isouron, tebuthiuron, buturon, chlorbromuron, methyldymron, phenobenzuron, SK-<NUM>, metobromuron, metoxuron, afesin, monuron, siduron, fenuron, fluothiuron, neburon, chloroxuron, noruron, isonoruron, <NUM>-cyclooctyl-<NUM>, thiazfluron, tebuthiuron, difenoxuron, parafluron, methylamine tribunil, karbutilate, trimeturon, dimefuron, monisouron, anisuron, methiuron, chloreturon, tetrafluron, phenmedipham, phenmedipham-ethyl, desmedipham, asulam, terbucarb, barban, propham, chlorpropham, rowmate, swep, chlorbufam, carboxazole, chlorprocarb, fenasulam, BCPC, CPPC, carbasulam, butylate, benthiocarb, vernolate, molinate, triallate, dimepiperate, esprocarb, pyributicarb, cycloate, avadex, EPTC, ethiolate, orbencarb, pebulate, prosulfocarb, tiocarbazil, CDEC, dimexano, isopolinate, methiobencarb, <NUM>,<NUM>-D butyl ester, MCPA-Na, <NUM>,<NUM>-D isooctyl ester, MCPA isooctyl ester, <NUM>,<NUM>-D sodium salt, <NUM>,<NUM>-D dimethyla mine salt, MCPA-thioethyl, MCPA, <NUM>,<NUM>-D propionic acid, high <NUM>,<NUM>-D propionic acid salt, <NUM>,<NUM>-D butyric acid, MCPA propionic acid, MCPA propionic acid salt, MCPA butyric acid, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-D, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-D propionic acid, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-D butyric acid, MCPA amine salt, dicamba, erbon, chlorfenac, saison, TBA, chloramben, methoxy-TBA, diclofop-methyl, fluazifop-butyl, fluazifop-p-butyl, haloxyfop-methyl, haloxyfop-P, quizalofop-ethyl, quizalofop-p-ethyl, fenoxaprop-ethy, fenoxaprop-p-ethyl, propaquizafop, cyhalofop-butyl, metamifop, clodinafop-propargyl, fenthiaprop-ethyl, chloroazifop-propynyl, poppenate-methyl, trifopsime, isoxapyrifop, paraquat, diquat, oryzalin, ethalfluralin, isopropalin, nitralin, profluralin, prodinamine, benfluralin, fluchloraline, dinitramina, dipropalin, chlornidine, methalpropalin, dinoprop, glyphosate, anilofos, glufosinate ammonium, amiprophos-methyl, sulphosate, piperophos, bialaphos-sodium, bensulide, butamifos, phocarb, <NUM>,<NUM>-DEP, H-<NUM>, zytron, imazapyr, imazethapyr, imazaquin, imazamox, imazamox ammonium salt, imazapic, imazamethabenz-methyl, fluroxypyr, fluroxypyr isooctyl ester, clopyralid, picloram, trichlopyr, dithiopyr, haloxydine, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-trichloro-<NUM>-pyridinol, thiazopyr, fluridone, aminopyralid, diflufenzopyr, triclopyr-butotyl, Cliodinate, sethoxydim, clethodim, cycloxydim, alloxydim, clefoxydim, butroxydim, tralkoxydim, tepraloxydim, buthidazole, metribuzin, hexazinone, metamitron, ethiozin, ametridione, amibuzin, bromoxynil, bromoxynil octanoate, ioxynil octanoate, ioxynil, dichlobenil, diphenatrile, pyraclonil, chloroxynil, iodobonil, flumetsulam, florasulam, penoxsulam, metosulam, cloransulam-methyl, diclosulam, pyroxsulam, benfuresate, bispyribac-sodium, pyribenzoxim, pyriftalid, pyriminobac-methyl, pyrithiobac-sodium, benzobicylon, mesotrione, sulcotrione, tembotrione, tefuryltrione, bicyclopyrone, ketodpiradox, isoxaflutole, clomazone, fenoxasulfone, methiozolin, fluazolate, pyraflufen-ethyl, pyrazolynate, difenzoquat, pyrazoxyfen, benzofenap, nipyraclofen, pyrasulfotole, topramezone, pyroxasulfone, cafenstrole, flupoxam, aminotriazole, amicarbazone, azafenidin, carfentrazone-ethyl, sulfentrazone, bencarbazone, benzfendizone, butafenacil, bromacil, isocil, lenacil, terbacil, flupropacil, cinidon-ethyl, flumiclorac-pentyl, flumioxazin, propyzamide, MK-<NUM>, flumezin, pentachlorophenol, dinoseb, dinoterb, dinoterb acetate, dinosam, DNOC, chloronitrophene, medinoterb acetate, dinofenate, oxadiargyl, oxadiazon, pentoxazone, Flufenacet, fluthiacet-methyl, fentrazamide, flufenpyr-ethyl, pyrazon, brompyrazon, metflurazon, kusakira, dimidazon, oxapyrazon, norflurazon, pyridafol, quinclorac, quinmerac, bentazone, pyridate, oxaziclomefone, benazolin, clomazone, cinmethylin, ZJ0702, pyribambenz-propyl, indanofan, sodium chlorate, dalapon, trichloroacetic acid, monochloroacetic acid, hexachloroacetone, flupropanate, cyperquat, bromofenoxim, epronaz, methazole, flurtamone, benfuresate, ethofumesate, tioclorim, chlorthal, fluorochloridone, tavron, acrolein, bentranil, tridiphane, chlorfenpropmethyl, thidiarizonaimin, phenisopham, busoxinone, methoxyphenone, saflufenacil, clacyfos, chloropon, alorac, diethamquat, etnipromid, iprymidam, ipfencarbazone, thiencarbazone-methyl, pyrimisulfan, chlorflurazole, tripropindan, sulglycapin, prosulfalin, cambendichlor, aminocyclopyrachlor, rodethanil, benoxacor, fenclorim, flurazole, fenchlorazole-ethyl, cloquintocet-mexyl, oxabetrinil, MG/<NUM>, cyometrinil, DKA-<NUM>, mefenpyr-diethyl, furilazole, fluxofenim, isoxadifen-ethyl, dichlormid, halauxifen-methyl, DOW florpyrauxifen, UBH-<NUM>, D489, LS <NUM>-<NUM>, KPP-<NUM>, NC-<NUM>, NC-<NUM>, KH-<NUM>, DPX-N8189, SC-<NUM>, DOWCO535, DK-<NUM>, V-<NUM>, PP-<NUM>, MBH-<NUM>, KIH-<NUM>, ET-<NUM>, KIH-<NUM> and KIH-<NUM>.

In the context of the present specification, if an abbreviation of a generic name of an active compound is used, it includes in each case all customary derivatives, such as esters and salts, as well as isomers, in particular optical isomers, especially one or more commercially available forms. If the generic name denotes an ester or a salt, it also includes in each case all other conventional derivatives, such as other esters and salts, free acids and neutral compounds, as well as isomers, in particular optical isomers, especially one or more commercially available forms. The chemical name given to a compound means at least one compound encompassed by the generic name, and generally the preferred compound.

For use, the formulations which are present in commercially available form are, if appropriate, diluted in the customary manner, for example using water in the case of wettable powders, emulsifiable concentrates, dispersions and water-dispersible granules. Products in the form of dusts, granules for soil application or broadcasting and sprayable solutions are usually not further diluted with other inert substances prior to use. The application rate of the compounds of the formula I required varies with the external conditions, such as temperature, humidity, the nature of the herbicide used and the like. It can vary within wide limits, for example between <NUM>. <NUM> and <NUM>. /ha or more of active substance, but it is preferably between <NUM>. <NUM> and <NUM> a. /ha, in particular between <NUM>. <NUM> and <NUM> a.

The following examples are intended to illustrate the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the present invention in any way. The scope for which protection is sought in the present invention is intended to be defined by the claims.

In view of economics and variety of a compound, we preferably synthesized several reference compounds, part of which are listed in the following Tables <NUM>-<NUM>. The structure and information of a certain compound are shown in Tables <NUM>-<NUM>. The compounds in Tables <NUM>-<NUM> are listed as reference compounds for further explication of the present invention, other than any limit therefor. The subject of the present invention should not be interpreted by those skilled in the art as being limited to the following compounds.

Several methods for preparing the compounds of the present invention are detailedly illustrated in the following schemes and examples. The starting materials can be purchased commercially or can be prepared by methods known in the literature or according to the detailed illustrations. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other synthetic routes can also be utilized to synthesize the compounds of the present invention.

Additionally, the preparation methods described below can be further modified in accordance with the present disclosure, using conventional chemical methods well known to those skilled in the art. For example, appropriate groups are protected during the reaction, and the like.

The method examples are provided below to facilitate a further understanding of the preparation method of the present invention.

The reagents used for synthesizing the following compounds indicated in the table below are either commercially available or can be readily prepared by those skilled in the art.

The examples of representative compounds are as follows, the synthetic methods of other compounds are similar, and will not be described in detail here.

Compound a (<NUM>, <NUM>. 13mmol), compound b (<NUM>, <NUM>. 55mmol), a catalytic amount of TBAB (<NUM>), and DMF (<NUM>) were added to a round-bottom flask, and stirred at room temperature <NUM> for <NUM> hr. When there was a small amount of starting materials remained according to LC-MS detection, a further treatment was made. The reaction solution was poured into <NUM> of water, and extracted with methyl tert-butyl ether twice (<NUM> x <NUM>). The organic phase was dried, concentrated, and separated by column chromatography, to obtain compound <NUM>-<NUM> (<NUM>, yield <NUM>%), as a white solid.

With a reference to the synthesis method of compound <NUM>-<NUM>, compound <NUM>-<NUM> was prepared, then compound <NUM>-<NUM> (<NUM>, <NUM>. 49mmol), compound <NUM>-<NUM>-<NUM> (<NUM>, <NUM>. 49mmol), DCC (<NUM>, <NUM>. 24mmol), and anhydrous DCM (<NUM>) were added to a <NUM> round-bottom flask, and reacted at room temperature for <NUM> hr. After completed reaction of the starting materials according to LC-MS detection, the reaction solution was concentrated, and separated by column chromatography to obtain compound <NUM>-<NUM> (<NUM>, yield <NUM>%), as a white solid.

The activity level standard of plants destruction (i. growth inhibition rate) is as follows:.

The above described growth inhibition rate is fresh weight inhibition rate.

Post-emergence test experiment: Monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weed seeds and main crop seeds (i. wheat, corn, rice, soybean, cotton, oilseed, millet and sorghum. ) were put into a plastic pot loaded with soil. Then covered with <NUM>-<NUM> soil, the seeds were allowed to grow in good greenhouse environment. The test plants were treated at <NUM>-<NUM> leaf stage <NUM> weeks after sowing. The test compounds of the invention were dissolved with acetone respectively, then added with tween-<NUM>, and using <NUM> liters per hectare of an emulsible concentrate of methyl oleate as a synergist, and diluted by certain amount of water to certain concentration. The solution was sprayed to the plants with a sprayer. Then the plants were cultured for <NUM> weeks in the greenhouse, and the experiment result of weed controlling effect was listed in tables <NUM>-<NUM>.

Unexpectedly, although the compounds of the present invention were similar in structure to the control compounds, they had good effects and better selectivity for major gramineous weeds, broad-leaved weeds, and Cyperus rotundus in rice fields, and had excellent commercial value. In particular, they were still outstanding to control key weeds that were resistant to the ALS inhibitor bispyribac-sodium and the ACCe inhibitor cyhalofop-butyl. In addition, compared with the racemate and the S-isomer, the R-isomer of the present invention had significantly improved activity against gramineous weeds such as Echinochloa crusgalli, Digitaria sanguinalis and Semen Euphorbiae Lathyridis, and had good selectivity for rice.

Seeds of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weeds and main crops (e. wheat, corn, rice, soybean, cotton, oilseed, millet and sorghum) were put into a plastic pot loaded with soil and covered with <NUM>. <NUM>-<NUM> soil. The test compounds of the present invention was dissolved with acetone, then added with tween-<NUM>, diluted by a certain amount of water to reach a certain concentration, and sprayed immediately after sowing. The obtained seeds were incubated for <NUM> weeks in the greenhouse after spraying and the test results were observed. It was observed that the herbicide mostly had excellent effect at the application rate of <NUM> a. /ha, especially to weeds such as Echinochloa crusgalli, Digitaria sanguinalis and Abutilon theophrasti, etc. Many compounds had good selectivity for corn, wheat, rice, soybean, oilseed rape, etc..

Through experiments, we found that the compounds of the present invention generally had better weed control effects, especially for major gramineous weeds such as Echinochloa crusgalli, Digitaria sanguinalis, and Setaria viridis, which are widely occurring in corn fields, rice fields and wheat fields, and major broad-leaved weeds such as Abutilon theophrasti, Rorippa indica and Bidens pilosa, and had excellent commercial value. In particular, we noticed that they had extremely high activity against broad-leaved weeds, such as Rorippa indica, Descurainia sophia, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Lithospermum arvense, Galium aparine and Stellaria media, which were resistant to ALS inhibitors.

Transplanted rice safety evaluation and weed control effect evaluation in rice field:
Rice field soil was loaded into a <NUM>/<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> ha pot. The seeds of Monochoria vaginalis were sowed and gently covered with soil, then left to stand still in greenhouse in the state of <NUM>-<NUM> of water storage. It was kept at <NUM>-<NUM> of water storage thereafter. The weeds were treated by dripping the WP or SC water diluents prepared according to the common preparation method of the compounds of the present invention with pipette homogeneously to achieve specified effective amount when Monochoria vaginalis reached <NUM>. <NUM> leaf stage.

In addition, the rice field soil that loaded into the <NUM>/<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> ha pot was leveled to keep water storage at <NUM>-<NUM> depth. The <NUM>-leaf stage rice (japonica rice) was transplanted at <NUM> of transplanting depth the next day. The compound of the present invention was treated by the same way after <NUM> days of transplantation.

The fertility condition of Monochoria vaginalis <NUM> days and rice <NUM> days after the treatment of the compound of the invention with the naked eye. Evaluate the weed control effect with the aforementioned activity standard level of <NUM>-<NUM>, many compounds exhibited excellent activity and selectivity.

It can be seen from the experiments that the compounds of the present invention had excellent activity against weeds having an anti-ALS inhibiting activity which cause a serious challenge in production, and can solve the increasingly serious problem of resistance.

Claim 1:
An ester of R-pyridyloxycarboxylic acid represented by formula I-<NUM>
<CHM>
wherein A, B each independently represent halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, halo C1-C6 alkyl or C3-C6 cycloalkyl;
C represents hydrogen, halogen, C1-C6 alkyl or halo C1-C6 alkyl;
Q represents C1-C6 alkyl, halo C1-C6 alkyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, halogen, cyano, amino, nitro, formyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, C1-C6 alkylthio, C1-C6 alkoxycarbonyl, hydroxy C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy C1-C2 alkyl, cyano C1-C2 alkyl, C1-C6 alkylamino C1-C2 alkyl, benzyl, naphthyl, furyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl;
<CHM>
that is unsubstituted or substituted by C <NUM>-C6 alkyl; or phenyl that is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 alkyl, halo C1-C6 alkyl, halogen and C1-C6 alkoxy;
Y represents amino, C1-C6 alkylamino, C1-C6 alkylcarbonylamino, phenylcarbonylamino, benzylamino; or furylmethyleneamino that is unsubstituted or substituted by halo C1-C6 alkyl;
X represents O or S;
M represents halo C1-C8 alkyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, halo C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, C1-C6 alkoxycarbonyl, C1-C6 alkylsulfonyl, cyano C1-C2 alkyl, nitro C1-C2 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxycarbonyl C1-C2 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyloxycarbonyl C1-C2 alkyl, -(C1-C2 alkyl)-Z,
<CHM>
tetrahydrofuryl, pyridyl, naphthyl, furyl, thienyl,
<CHM>
<CHM>
that is unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C6 alkyl; or phenyl that is unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C6 alkyl, halo C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkylamino, halogen or C1-C6 alkoxy;
Z represents
<CHM>
tetrahydrofuryl, pyridyl,
<CHM>
thienyl, furyl, naphthyl; or phenyl that is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, halo C1-C6 alkyl, cyano and halogen;
R<NUM> each independently represents C1-C6 alkyl;
R<NUM>, R<NUM>, R<NUM> each independently represent hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl or C1-C6 alkoxycarbonyl;
R' represents hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl or halo C1-C6 alkyl.