Diphenyl ether derivative, herbicidal composition containing the derivative as active ingredient, and process for producing the derivative.

摘要

This invention provides a diphenyl ether derivative represented by the formula (I): <CHEM> wherein X<1> represents a halogen atom or a C1-C3 haloalkyl group; X<2> and X<3> represent independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a trifluoromethyl group, a nitro group or a cyano group; Y represents a nitro group, a cyano group, a halogen atom, a C1-C3 haloalkyl group or a hydrogen atom; A represents a direct bond, a group represented by the formula: -CO2(CH(R<1>)- wherein R<1> represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-C3 alkyl group, a group represented by the formula: -C(R<2>) = NOCH(R<3>)- wherein R<2> represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-C4 alkyl group which may be substituted with a C1-C4 alkoxy group, C1-C4 alkylthio group or halogen atom, or a C1-C3 alkoxy group, and R<3> represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-C3 alkyl group, or a group represented by the formula: -C(=NOR<4>)OCH(R<3>)- wherein R<3> is the same as defined above and R<4> represents a C1-C3 alkyl group; and B represents a group represented by the formula: <CHEM> wherein R<5> represents a halogen atom; a hydroxyl group; an acyloxy group having up to 6 carbon atoms which may be substituted with a halogen atom, C1-C6 alkoxy group, C2-C7 alkoxycarbonyl group, aryl group which may be substituted with 1 to 3 halogen atoms and/or 1 to 3 C1-C3 alkyl groups or aryloxy group which may be substituted with 1 to 3 halogen atoms and/or 1 to 3 C1-C3 alkyl groups; a C4-C9 cycloalkylcarbonyloxy group; a benzoyloxy group which may be substituted with a halogen atom, C1-C4 alkyl group or C1-C4 alkoxy group; a C2-C7 alkoxycarbonyloxy group; a C1-C4 alkylsufonyloxy group; or a carbamoyloxy group which may be substituted with a C1-C4 alkyl group and/or C1-C4 alkoxy group. A process for preparing the diphenyl ether derivative and a herbicidal composition containing the diphenyl ether derivative as active ingredient are also described. The compounds of this invention show a wide herbicidal spectrum against both annual and perennial weeds and also have a high degree of safety or harmlessness to crops.