HERBICIDAL CYCLOHEXANE-1,3-DIONE DERIVATIVES

摘要

HERBICIDAL CYCLOHEXANE-1,3-DIONE DERIVATIVES The invention concerns novel compounds of the formula I I wherein: A, B, D and E are selected from CH, N and N-Z wherein Z is selected from oxygen and the group YAn wherein Y is selected from alkyl and benzyl and An is an anion, and provided that no more than three of A, B, D and E are selected from N and N-Z and no more than one of A, B, D and E is selected from N-Z; W is a saturated or unsaturated C2 to C5 hydrocarbon chain; X and x1 are independently selected from halogen, nitro, cyano, alkyl, substituted alkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, alkenyl, alkenyloxy, alkynyl, alkynyloxy, acyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, substituted sulfamoyl, alkanoyloxy, benzyloxy, substituted benzyloxy, amino, substituted amino and the groups formyl and alkanoyl and the oxime, imine and Schiff base derivatives thereof, or two of X1 on the same carbon atom may form an oxo group; R1 is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, acyl and an inorganic or organic cation; R2 is selected from alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, haloalkenyl, alkynyl and haloalkynyl; R3 is selected from alkyl, fluoroalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and phenyl; R4 is selected from hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, cyano and alkoxycarbonyl; n is 0 or an integer chosen from 1 to 3; and n1 is 0 or an integer chosen from 1 to 5. The compounds of the invention show herbicidal properties and plant growth regulating properties and in further embodiments the invention provides processes for the preparation of compounds of formula I, intermediates useful in the preparation of the compounds of formula I, compositions containing as active ingredient a compound of formula I, and herbicidal and plant growth regulating processes utilizing compounds of formula I.