Ester intermediates for 2-benzoyl-4-phenyl-1,3-cyclohexanediones

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. No. 4,350,705 relates to certain antihypertensive compounds that can have the following structural formula ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 is unsubstituted or substituted phenyl; M is --(CH.sub.2).sub.m in which m is the integer 0-4; and X, Y and Z are hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylcarbonyloxy, hydroxy, lower alkylsulfonyl, nitro, cyano or halogen. Specifically taught are 2-benzoyl-5-phenyl-cyclohexane-1,3-dione and 2-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-5-phenylcyclohexane-1,3-dione.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to 2-(substituted benzoyl)-4-(substituted or unsubstituted phenyl)-1,3-cyclohexanediones and their use as herbicides.
One embodiment of this invention is an herbicidal composition comprising an herbicidally active 2-(substituted benzoyl)-4-(substituted or unsubstituted phenyl)-1,3-cyclohexanedione and an inert carrier therefor. The 5- and 6-positions of the 1,3-cyclohexanedione moiety are preferably substituted with groups hereinafter defined, most preferably with hydrogen or methyl groups. The benzoyl and phenyl moieties can be substituted, preferably with the groups hereinafter recited.
Also embodied within the scope of this invention are novel compounds having the following structural formula ##STR3## wherein R is halogen; C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkyl, preferably methyl; C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkoxy, preferably methoxy, trifluoromethoxy or difluoromethoxy; nitro; cyano; C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 haloalkyl, preferably trifluoromethyl; R.sup.a SO.sub.n -- wherein n is 0 or 2, preferably 2 and R.sup.a is C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkyl, preferably methyl, trifluoromethyl or difluoromethyl. Preferably, R is chlorine, bromine, C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkylthio or C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkylsulfonyl; more preferably chlorine, nitro, methyl, trifluoromethyl or methylsulfonyl; and
R.sup.1 is hudrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, preferably methyl;
R.sup.2 is hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, preferably methyl; or
R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together are C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 alkylene;
R.sup.3 is hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, preferably methyl;
R.sup.4 is hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, preferably methyl; or
R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 together are C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 alkylene;
R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 independently are (1) hydrogen; (2) halogen, preferably chlorine, fluorine or bromine; (3) C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, preferably methyl; (4) C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, preferably methoxy; (5) trifluoromethoxy; (6) cyano; (7) nitro; (8) C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 haloalkyl, more preferably trifluoromethyl; (9) R.sup.b SO.sub.n --wherein n is the integer 0, 1 or 2, preferably 2; and R.sup.b is (a) C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, preferably methyl; (b) C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl substituted with halogen or cyano, preferably chloromethyl, trifluoromethyl or cyanomethyl; (c) phenyl; or (d) benzyl; (10) --NR.sup.c R.sup.d wherein R.sup.c and R.sup.d independently are hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl; (11) R.sup.e C(O)--wherein R.sup.e is C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy; (12)--SO.sub.2 NR.sup.c R.sup.d wherein R.sup.c and R.sup.d are as defined; or (13)--N(R.sup.c)C(O)R.sup.d wherein R.sup.e and R.sup.d are as defined; and
R.sup.9 is hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl.
Preferably R.sup.5 is in the 3-position. More preferably R.sup.5 and R.sup.7 are hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, trifluoromethyl, cyano, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 thioalkyl. Most preferably, R.sup.5 and R.sup.7 are hydrogen. Preferably R.sup.6 and R.sup.8 are in the 4-position. Most preferably R.sup.6 and R.sup.8 are halogen, cyano, trifluoromethyl, or R.sup.b SO.sub.2 wherein R.sup.b is C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, preferably methyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 haloalkyl, preferably chloromethyl, difluoromethyl or trifluoromethyl.
The term "C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl" includes methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl and t-butyl. The term "halogen" includes chlorine, bromine, iodine and fluorine. The terms "C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy" includes methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, sec-butoxy, isobutoxy and t-butoxy. The term "C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 haloalkyl" includes the alkyl groups defined above under C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl in which one or more hydrogens is replaced by chlorine, bromine, iodine or fluorine.
Salts of the above-described compounds (as defined hereinafter) are included within the scope of the instant invention.
The compounds of this invention can have the following four structural formulae because of tautomerism: ##STR4## wherein R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8 and R.sup.9 are as defined above.
The circled proton on each of the four tautomers is reasonably labile. These protons are acidic and can be removed by reaction with a base to form a salt having an anion of the following four resonance forms: ##STR5## wherein R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8 and R.sup.9 are as defined above.
Examples of cations of these bases are inorganic cations such as alkali metals, e.g. lithium, sodium and potassium; the alkaline earth metals, e.g. calcium and magnesium or ammonium or organic cations such as substituted ammonium, sulfonium, sulfoxonium or phosphonium wherein the substituents are aliphatic or aromatic groups.
Those skilled in the art will recognize in considering the salts of this invention that varying degrees of association between the anion and cation will exist depending upon the nature of the cation. In some instances with a suitable cation, such as copper, the salt can exist in a chelated form.
The compounds of this invention and their salts are active herbicides of a general type. That is, they are herbicidally effective against a wide range of plant species. The method of controlling undesirable vegetation of the present invention comprises applying an herbicidally effective amount of the above-described compounds or their salts to the area where control is desired.
The compounds of the present invention can be prepared by the following two-step general method.
The process proceeds via the production of an enol ester intermediate as shown in reaction (1). The final product is obtained by rearrangement of the enol ester as shown in reaction (2).
The process is conducted in the presence of a catalytic amount of a source of cyanide anion and/or hydrogen cyanide, together with a molar excess, with respect to the enol ester, of a moderate base.
The two reactions may be conducted as separate steps by isolation and recovery of the enol ester using conventional techniques prior to conducting step (2), or by addition of a cyanide source to the reaction medium after the formation of the enol ester, or in one step by inclusion of the cyanide source at the start of reaction (1). ##STR6## wherein R through R.sup.9 and moderate base are as defined and X is halogen, preferably chlorine, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl--C(O)--O--, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy-C(O)--O-- or ##STR7## wherein R, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 in this portion of the molecule are identical with those in the reactant shown above and the moderate base is as defined, preferably tri-C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkylamine, alkali metal carbonate or alkali metal phosphate.
Generally, in step (1) mole amounts of the dione and substituted benzoyl reactant are used, along with a mole amount or excess of the base. The two reactants are combined in an organic solvent such as methylene chloride, toluene, ethyl acetate or dimethylformamide. The base or benzoyl reactant preferably is added to the reaction mixture with cooling. The mixture is stirred at 0.degree. C.-50.degree. C. until the reaction is substantially complete. ##STR8## wherein the moderate base and R through R.sup.9 are as defined above.
Generally, in step (2) a mole of the enol ester intermediate is reacted with 1 to 4 moles of the moderate base, preferably about 2 moles of moderate base and from 0.01 mole to about 0.5 mole or higher, preferably about 0.01-0.1 mole of the cyanide source. The mixture is stirred in a reaction pot until the rearrangement is substantially complete at a temperature below 50.degree. C., preferably about 20.degree. C. to about 40.degree. C., and the desired product is recovered by conventional techniques.
The term "cyanide source" refers to a substance or substances which under the rearrangement conditions consists of or generates hydrogen cyanide and/or cyanide anion.
Preferred cyanide sources are alkali metal cyanides such as sodium and potassium cyanide; cyanohydrins of methyl alkyl ketones having from 1-4 carbon atoms in the alkyl groups, such as acetone or methyl isobutyl ketone cyanohydrins; benzaldehyde cyanohydrin; cyanohydrins of C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 aliphatic aldehydes such as acetaldehyde cyanohydrin, propionaldehyde propionaldehyde cyanohydrin, etc.; cyclohexanone cyanohydrin; lactonitrile; zinc cyanide; di- and tri-(lower alkyl) silyl cyanides, notably dimethyl- and trimethyl-silyl cyanide; potassium ferric cyanide; and hydrogen cyanide itself. Hydrogen cyanide is considered most advantageous as it produces relatively rapid reaction and is inexpensive. Among cyanohydrins the preferred cyanide source is acetone cyanohydrin.
The cyanide source is used in an amount up to about 50 mole percent based on the enol ester. It may be used in as little as about 1 mole percent to produce an acceptable rate of reaction at about 40.degree. C. on a small scale. Larger scale reactions give more reproducible results with slightly higher catalyst levels of about 2 mole percent. Generally about 1-10 mole % of the cyanide source is preferred.
The process is conducted with a molar excess, with respect to the enol ester, of a moderate base. By the term "moderate base" is meant a substance which acts as a base yet whose strength or activity as a base lies between that of strong bases such as hydroxides (which could cause hydrolysis of the enol ester) and that of weak bases such as N,N-dimethylaniline (which would not function effectively). Moderate bases suitable for use in this embodiment include both organic bases, e.g., trialkylamines such as triethylamine and inorganic bases such as alkali metal carbonates and phosphates. Suitable inorganic bases include potassium carbonate and trisodium phosphate.
The base is used in an amount of from about 1 to about 4 moles per mole of enol ester, preferably about 2 moles per mole.
When the cyanide source is an alkali metal cyanide, particularly potassium cyanide, a phase transfer catalyst may be included in the reaction. Particularly suitable phase transfer catalysts are the crown ethers.
A number of different solvents are useful in this process, depending on the nature of the acid halide or the acylated product. A preferred solvent for this reaction is 1,2-dichloroethane. Other solvents which may be employed, depending on the reactants or products include toluene, acetonitrile, methylene chloride, ethyl acetate, dimethylformamide, and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK).
In general, depending on the nature of the reactants and the cyanide source, the rearrangement may be conducted at temperatures up to about 50.degree. C.
The above described substituted benzoyl chlorides can be prepared from the corresponding substituted benzoic acids according to the teaching of Reagents for Organic Synthesis, Vol. I. L. F. Fieser and M. Fieser, pp. 767-769 (1967). ##STR9## wherein R, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are as previously defined.
The substituted benzoic acids can be prepared by a wide variety of general methods according to the teaching of The Chemistry of Carboxylic Acids and Esters, S. Patai, editor, J. Wiley and Sons, New York, N.Y. (1969) and Survey of Organic Synthesis, C. A. Buehler and D. F. Pearson, J. Wiley and Sons, (1970).
The following are three representative examples of the methods described therein. ##STR10## wherein R, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are as previously defined.
In reaction (a) the substituted benzonitrile is heated to reflux in aqueous sulfuric acid for several hours. The mixture is cooled and the reaction product is isolated by conventional techniques. ##STR11## wherein R, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are as previously defined.
In reaction (b) the substituted acetophenone is heated to reflux for several hours in an aqueous hypochlorite solution. The mixture is cooled and the reaction product is isolated by conventional techniques. ##STR12## wherein R, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are as previously defined.
In reaction (c) the substituted toluene is heated to reflux in an aqueous solution of potassium permanganate for several hours. The solution is then filtered and the reaction product is isolated by conventional techniques.
The above-described substituted cyclohexane-1,3-diones can be prepared according to the teaching of E. D. Bergmann and J. Szmuszkovicz, J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 875, 3226 (1953).

The following example teaches the synthesis of a representative compound of this invention.
EXAMPLE 1
4-(2-Fluorophenyl)-2-(2-trifluoromethylbenzoyl)-cyclohexane-1,3-dione ##STR13##
2-Trifluoromethylbenzoyl chloride (7.1 g, 0.034 mole) and 4-(2-fluorophenyl)-1,3-cyclohexanedione (7.0 g, 0.034 mole) were dissolved in methylene chloride. Triethylamine (4.1 g, 0.041 mole) was added dropwise and the resulting solution stirred for one hour. The solution was washed with 2 normal hydrochloric acid (2N HCl), 5% potassium carbonate solution, and saturated sodium chloride solution, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate (MgSO.sub.4) and concentrated under vacuum. The residue ws dissolved in 40 ml of acetonitrile. Triethylamine (1 equivalent) and acetone cyanohydrin (0.4 ml) were added and the solution stirred for 1 hour at room temperature. After dilution with ether (150 ml), the solution was washed with 2N HCl. The ether layer was then stirred with 100 ml of 5% copper (II) acetate. The resulting copper salt was filtered, washed with hexane, and stirred with 6N hydrochloric acid to destroy the salt. the acidic aqueous solution was extracted with ether. The ether solution was then washed with water and dried over MgSO.sub.4. Concentration of the ether solution under vacuum afforded 4.4 g of the desired product as a brown oil (34.2% yield). The structure was confirmed by instrumental analysis.
The following is a table of certain selected compounds that are preparable according to the procedure described hereto. Compound numbers are assigned to each compound and are used throughout the remainder of the application.
TABLE I__________________________________________________________________________ ##STR14##Cmpd.No. R R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 R.sup.4 R.sup.5 R.sup.6 R.sup.7 R.sup.8 R.sup.9 m.p. .degree.C.__________________________________________________________________________1 Cl H H H H H 4-Cl H H H 139-1402 Cl H H H H H 4-SO.sub.2 Me H 3-CF.sub.3 H glass3 NO.sub.2 H H H H H 4-CF.sub.3 H 3-CF.sub.3 H oil4 Cl H H H H H 4-SO.sub.2 Me 2-F H H oil5.sup.a CF.sub.3 H H H H H H 2-F H H oil6 Cl H H H H H 4-Cl 2-F H H oil7 Cl H H H H H 4-Cl H 4-F H oil8 CH.sub.3 H H H H H 4-SO.sub.2 Et 2-F H H glass9 CH.sub.3 H H H H H 4-SO.sub.2 Et H 4-F H oil10 Cl H H H H H 4-SO.sub.2 Me 2-Cl H H glass11 Cl H H H H H 4-SO.sub.2 Me 2-MeO H H 135-14012 Cl H H H H H 4-SO.sub.2 Me 2-F 6-Cl H 94-9813 Cl H H H H H 4-SO.sub.2 Me H 4-MeO H glass14 Cl H H Me H H 4-SO.sub.2 Me 2-F H H glass15 Cl H H H H H 4-SO.sub.2 Me 2-F H Me glass16 Cl Me H H H H 4-SO.sub.2 Me 2-F H H 75-8017 NO.sub.2 H H H H H 4-Cl 2-F H Me oil18 NO.sub.2 H H H H H 4-Cl H 4-F H oil19 NO.sub.2 H H H H H 4-Cl H 3-CF.sub.3 H oil20 NO.sub.2 H H Me H H 4-Cl 2-F H H glass21 NO.sub.2 H H H H H 4-Cl 2-F 6-Cl H glass22 NO.sub.2 Me H H H H 4-Cl 2-F H H oil23 NO.sub.2 H H H H H 4-Cl 2-Cl H H 172-17524 Cl H H H H H 4-SO.sub.2 Me H H H oil25 Cl H H Me H H 4-SO.sub.2 Me H H H oil26 CH.sub.3 H H H H H 4-SO.sub.2 Et 2-F H Me oil27 Cl H H H H H 4-SO.sub.2 Me 2-F 6-Cl Me oil28 Cl H H Me H H 4-SO.sub.2 Me H H Me oil29 Cl H H H H H 4-SO.sub.2 Me H H Me oil30 NO.sub.2 H H H H H 4-CF.sub.3 2-F H Me oil31 NO.sub.2 H H H H H 4-Cl H H H oil32 NO.sub.2 H H Me H H 4-Cl H H H oil33 Cl H H H H H 4-SO.sub.2 Me 2-Cl 4-Cl H oil34 NO.sub.2 H H Me H H 4-Cl H H Me oil35 NO.sub.2 H H H H H 4-Cl H H Me oil36 Cl H H H H 3-Cl 4-SO.sub.2 Et 2-F H Me wax37 NO.sub.2 H H H H H 4-CF.sub.3 H H H oil38 NO.sub.2 H H H H H 4-CF.sub.3 2-F H H oil39 Cl Me H H H H 4-SO.sub.2 Me 2-F H Me oil40 NO.sub.2 H H H H H 4-Cl 2-F H H oil41 NO.sub.2 H H H H H 4-CF.sub.3 H 4-F H oil42 NO.sub.2 H H H H H 4-CF.sub.3 2-F 6-Cl H oil43 NO.sub.2 H H H H H 4-CF.sub.3 2-NO.sub.2 H H oil__________________________________________________________________________ .sup.a Prepared in Example I.
Herbicidal Screening Tests
As previously mentioned, the herein described compounds produced in the above-described manner are phytotoxic compounds which are useful and valuable in controlling various plant species. Selected compounds of this invention were tested as herbicides in the following manner.
Pre-emergence herbicide test. On the day preceding treatment, seeds of seven different weed species are planted in loamy sand soil in individual rows using one species per row across the width of a flat. The seeds used are green foxtail (FT) (Setaria viridis), watergrass (WG) (Echinochloa crusgalli), wild oat (WO) (Avena fatua), annual morningglory (AMG) (Ipomoea lacunosa), velvetleaf (VL) (Abutilon theophrasti), Indian mustard (MD) (Brassica juncea), and yellow nutsedge (YNG) (Cyperus esculentus). Ample seeds are planted to give about 20 to 40 seedlings per row, after emergence, depending upon the size of the plants.
Using an analytical balance, 600 milligrams (mg) of the compound to be tested are weighed out on a piece of glassine weighing paper. The paper and compound are placed in a 60 milliliter (ml) wide-mouth clear bottle and dissolved in 45 ml of acetone or substituted solvent. Eighteen ml of this solution are transferred to a 60 ml wide-mouth clear bottle and diluted with 22 ml of a water and acetone mixture (19:1) containing enough polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate emulsifier to give a final solution of 0.5% (v/v). The solution is then sprayed on a seeded flat on a linear spray table calibrated to deliver 80 gallons per acre (748 L/ha). The application rate is 4 lb/acre (4.48 Kg/ha).
After treatment, the flats are placed in the greenhouse at a temperature of 70.degree. to 80.degree. F. and watered by sprinkling. Two weeks after treatment, the degree of injury or control is determined by comparison with untreated check plants of the same age. The injury rating from 0 to 100% is recorded for each species as percent control with 0% representing no injury and 100% representing complete control.
The results of the tests are shown in the following Table II.
TABLE II______________________________________Pre-Emergence Herbicidal ActivityAplication Rate - 4.48 kg/haCmpd.No. FT WG WO AMG VL MD YNG______________________________________1 0 20 10 5 0 0 602 0 75 60 80 95 100 703 0 0 5 10 80 90 04 95 100 90 100 100 100 805 10 5 20 5 40 90 --6 0 10 10 40 100 100 607 0 0 10 40 100 100 808 30 100 85 95 100 100 809 20 100 80 90 100 100 8010 85 100 80 80 100 100 8011 0 100 5 0 10 100 --12 100 100 10 50 100 100 8013 40 100 10 30 100 100 8014 100 100 80 100 100 100 8015 30 95 80 95 100 100 8016 90 100 30 100 100 100 8017 95 100 70 100 100 100 8018 100 100 70 100 100 100 8019 10 0 0 30 100 100 020 50 80 40 100 100 100 7521 100 80 50 100 100 100 7522 10 85 40 100 100 100 7023 100 95 90 30 100 100 3024 100 100 90 100 100 100 8025 20 90 40 85 90 100 8026 0 70 30 90 100 100 8027 100 100 60 100 100 100 8028 0 80 10 90 100 100 8029 80 100 95 100 100 100 8030 100 10 90 100 100 100 8031 100 100 100 100 100 100 8032 100 100 20 100 100 100 8033 100 100 85 75 100 100 7034 100 100 10 100 100 100 8035 100 100 50 100 100 100 8036 100 100 90 100 100 100 8037 100 100 80 100 100 100 8038 100 100 100 100 100 100 8039 100 100 40 100 100 100 8040 100 100 100 100 100 100 8041 100 95 80 100 100 100 8042 100 95 40 100 100 100 8043 100 100 40 60 100 100 80______________________________________ A dash (--) indicates that the weed was not tested.
Post-Emergence Herbicide Test: This test is conducted in an identical manner to the testing procedure for the pre-emergence hericide test, except the seeds of the seven different weed species are planted 10-12 days before treatment. Also, watering of the treated flats is confined to the soil surface and not to the foliage of the sprouted plants.
The results of the post-emergence herbicide test are reported in Table III.
TABLE III______________________________________Post-Emergence Herbicidal ActivityApplication Rate - 4.48 kg/haCmpd.No. FT WG WO AMG VL MD YNG______________________________________1 20 60 40 60 60 50 802 20 75 70 80 90 85 303 30 10 10 50 85 85 04 100 50 50 50 80 80 305 0 5 30 10 20 50 06 10 0 0 50 80 70 107 70 0 0 50 80 100 608 80 50 50 60 60 80 309 20 60 50 60 60 90 5010 100 95 80 30 60 60 8011 0 50 5 10 5 30 3012 85 85 50 60 70 65 8013 80 80 50 50 70 65 7014 90 100 90 90 100 100 3015 30 80 80 100 100 100 6016 60 85 85 90 100 95 3017 100 100 80 100 100 100 6018 70 100 90 90 100 100 8019 10 30 30 90 95 100 020 30 40 70 80 90 100 3021 80 80 60 90 80 100 3022 50 60 50 90 90 100 3023 20 50 50 100 90 100 7024 70 80 80 80 80 90 7025 10 40 40 60 80 80 3026 20 50 40 60 80 60 3027 80 80 60 65 80 80 7028 30 50 40 80 80 80 3029 30 60 40 80 80 80 3030 60 80 50 80 80 80 3031 85 100 60 100 100 100 8032 30 85 20 90 85 100 7033 90 80 60 60 80 80 3034 80 85 20 90 90 100 3035 30 100 30 100 100 100 8036 10 90 20 80 95 95 1037 30 90 50 80 80 90 3038 85 85 60 80 80 80 3039 10 60 40 50 60 60 3040 50 80 50 80 90 80 8041 0 80 50 80 80 80 7042 80 90 60 80 80 90 6043 30 80 20 80 90 90 60______________________________________ A dash (--) indicates that the weed was not tested.
The compounds of the present invention and their salts are useful as herbicides and can be applied in a variety of ways at various concentrations.In practice, the compounds or salts are formulated into herbicidal compositions, by admixture, in herbicidally effective amounts, with the adjuvants and carriers normally employed for facilitating the dispersion of active ingredients for agricultural applications, recognizing the fact that the formulation and mode of application of a toxicant may affect the activity of the materials in a given application. Thus, these active herbicidal compounds or salts can be formulated as granules of relatively large particle size, as wettable powders, as emulsifiable concentrates, as powdery dusts, as flowables, as solutions or as any of several other known types of formulations, depending upon the desired mode of application. These formulations may contain as little as about 0.5% to as much as about 95% or more by weight of active ingredient. A herbicidally effective amount depends upon the nature of the seeds or plants to be controlled and the rate of application varies from about 0.01 to approximately 10 pounds per acre, preferably from about 0.02 to about 4 pounds per acre.
Wettable powders are in the form of finely divided particles which disperse readily in water or other dispersants. The wettable powder is ultimately applied to the soil either as a dry dust or as a dispersion in water or other liquid. Typical carriers for wettable powders include fuller's earth, kaolin clays, silicas and other readily wet organic or inorganic diluents. Wettable powders normally are prepared to contain about 5% to about 95% of the active ingredient and usually also contain a small amount of wetting, dispersing, or emulsifying agent to facilitate wetting and dispersion.
Emulsifiable concentrates are homogeneous liquid compositions which are dispersible in water or other dispersant, and may consist entirely of the active compound or salt with a liquid or solid emulsifying agent, or may also contain a liquid carrier, such as xylene, heavy aromatic naphthal, isophorone and other non-volatile organic solvents. For herbicidal application, these concentrates are dispersed in water or other liquid carrier and normally applied as a spray to the area to be treated. The percentage by weight of the essential active ingredient may vary according to the manner in which the composition is to be applied, but in general comprises about 0.5% to 95% of active ingredient by weight of the herbicidal composition.
Granular formulations wherein the toxicant is carried on relatively coarse particles, are usually applied without dilution to the area in which suppression of vegetation is desired. Typical carriers for granular formulations include sand, fuller's earth, attapulgite clay, bentonite clays, montmorillonite clay, vermiculite, perlite and other organic or inorganic materials which absorb or which may be coated with the toxicant. Granular formulations normally are prepared to contain about 5% to about 25% of active ingredients which may include surface-active agents such heavy aromatic naphthas, kerosene or other petroleum fractions, or vegetable oils; and/or stickers such as destrins, glue or synthetic resins.
Typical wetting, dispersing or emulsifying agents used in agricultural formulations include, for example, the alkyl and alkylaryl sulfonates and sulfates and their salts; polyhydric alcohols; polyethoxylated alcohols; esters and fatty amines; and other types of surface-active agents, many of which are available in commerce. The surface-active agent, when used, normally comprises from 0.1% to 15% by weight of the herbicidal composition.
Dusts, which are free-flowing admixtures of the active ingredient with finely divided solids such as talc, clays, flours and other organic and inorganic solids which act as dispersants and carriers for the toxicant, are useful formulations for soli-incorporating application.
Pastes, which are homogeneous suspensions of a finely divided solid toxicant in a liquid carrier such as water or oil, are employed for specific purposes. These formulations normally contain about 5% to about 95% of active ingredient by weight, and may also contain small amounts of a wetting, dispersing or emulsifying agent to facilitate dispersion. For application, the pastes are normally diluted and applied as a spray to the area to be affected.
Other useful formulations for herbicidal applications include simple solutions of the active ingredient in a dispersant in which it is completely soluble at the desired concentration, such as acetone, alkylated naphthalenes, xylene and other organic solvents. Pressurized sprays, typically aerosols, wherein the active ingredient is dispersed in finely-divided form as a result of vaporization of a low boiling dispersant solvent carrier, such as the Freons, may also be used.
The phytotoxic compositions of this invention can be applied to the plants in the conventional manner. Thus, the dust and liquid compositions can be applied to the plant by the use of power-dusters, boom and hand sprayers and spray dusters. The compositions can also be applied from airplanes as a dust or a spray or by rope wick applications because they are effective in very low dosages. In order to modify or control growth of germinating seeds or emerging seedlings, as a typical example, the dust and liquid compositions can be applied to the soil according to conventional methods and can be distributed in the soil to a depth of at least 1/2 inch below the soil surface. It is not necessry that the phytotoxic compositions be mechanically admixed with the soil particles since these compositions can also be applied merely by spraying or sprinkling the surface of the soil. The phytotoxic compositions of this invention can also be applied by addition to irrigation water supplied to the field to be treated. This method of application permits the penetration of the compositions into the soil as the water is absorbed therein. Dust compositions, granular compositions or liquid formulations applied to the surfce of the soil can be distributed below the surface of the soil by conventional means such as discing, dragging or mixing operations. In the following examples the herbicidal compound can be substituted with the herbicidal salt of the compound.
__________________________________________________________________________Gerneral Formula with Ranges Specific Formula__________________________________________________________________________EMULSIFIABLE CONCENTRATE FORMULATIONSHerbicidal compound 5-55 herbicidal compound 24surfactant(s) 5-25 proprietary blend of oil- 10solvent(s) 20-90 soluble sulfonates and 100% polyoxyethylene ethers polar solvent 27 petroleum hydrocarbon 39 100%WETTABLE POWDER FORMULATIONSherbicidal compound 3-90 herbicidal compound 80wetting agent 0.5-2 sodium dialkyl naphthalene 0.5dispersing agent 1-8 sulfonatediluent(s) 8.5-87 sodium lignosulfonate 7 100% attapulgite clay 12.5 100%EXTRUDED GRANULAR FORMULATI0NSherbicidal compound 1-20 herbicidal compound 10binding agent 0-10 lignin sulfonate 5diluent(s) 70-99 calcium carbonate 85 100% 100%FLOWABLE FORMULATIONSherbicidal compound 20-70 herbicidal compound 45surfactant(s) 1 -10 polyoxyethylene ether 5suspending agent(s) 0.05-1 attagel 0.05antifreeze agent 1-10 propylene glycol 10antimicrobial agent 1-10 1,2-benzisothiazoline-3-one 0.03antifoam agent 0.1-1 silicone defoaer 0.02solvent 7.95-77.85 water 39.9 100% 100%__________________________________________________________________________
When salts are used as the active ingredient in the herbicidal compositions of this invention it is recommended to use salts that are agriculturally acceptable.
The phytotoxic compositions of this invention can also contain other additives, for example, fertilizers, other herbicides and other pesticides, used as adjuvant or in combination with any of the above-described adjuvants. Fertilizers useful in combination with the active ingredients include, for example, ammonium nitrate, urea and superphosphate.

Number	Name	Date	Kind
4681621	Lee et al.	Jul 1987
4762551	Knudsen	Aug 1988

Ester intermediates for 2-benzoyl-4-phenyl-1,3-cyclohexanediones

Information

Patent Number

Date Filed

Date Issued

Inventors

Original Assignees

Examiners

Agents

CPC

US Classifications

Field of Search

US

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

US Referenced Citations (2)

Divisions (1)