GB825875A - Substituted phenoxy-propionic acid esters and compositions containing them - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention comprises compounds of the general formula <FORM:0825875/IV (b)/1> (wherein R is an alkyl radical of at least 3 carbon atoms or a phenylalkyl, alkoxyalkyl or alkoxyalkoxyalkyl radical) and their preparation by condensing 4-chloro-2-methyl-phenol with the appropriate ester of an alpha-halopropionic acid or by esterification of alpha-(4-chloro - 2 - methyl - phenoxy) - propionic acid with the appropriate alcohol. Examples describe the preparation of the benzyl and 2-butoxy-ethyl esters by the first of these methods, the benzyl alpha-bromopropionate and 2-butoxy-ethyl alpha-bromopropionate starting materials being prepared by esterification of alpha-bromopropionic acid, and the preparation of the n-butyl, n-amyl, 2-ethyl-hexyl, 2-(2-n-butoxy-ethoxy) - ethyl, benzyl, 2 - butoxyethyl and 3:5:5-trimethylhexyl esters by the second of these methods. In the Provisional Specification no limitation is placed on the number of carbon atoms in the radical R. Specifications 573,479 and 573,510, [both in Group IV], are referred to.ALSO:Plant growth regulating compositions comprise compounds of the general formula: p <FORM:0825875/I/1> (wherein R is an alkyl radical of at least 3 carbon atoms or a phenylalkyl, alkoxyalkyl or alkoxyalkoxyalkyl radical) in admixture with carriers or diluents. The compositions may comprise an emulsifying agent and optionally an organic solvent so that emulsions may be formed on the addition of water; or they may comprise a solid inert diluent, a dispersing agent and optionally a wetting agent so that aqueous dispersions may be formed on the addition of water; or they may take the form of dusting powders in which the carrier is a powdered solid. Examples describe compositions containing esters in which R is variously 2-ethylhexyl, n-butyl, n-amyl, 2-(2-n-butoxy-ethoxy)-ethyl, benzyl, 2-n-butoxyethyl and 3: 5: 5-trimethylhexyl, solvents include acetone and xylene, emulsifying agents include a polyethylene oxide condensate of an octyl phenol with or without the addition of lauric diethanolamide, dispersing agents include a condensate of formaldehyde and an alkyl aryl sulphonate and solid diluents include kaolin. In the Provisional Specification no limitation is placed on the number of carbon atoms in the radical R. Specifications 573,479 and 573,510 [Group IV] are referred to.ALSO:Herbicidal compositions comprise compounds of the general formula <FORM:0825875/VI/1> (wherein R is an alkyl radical of at least 3 carbon atoms or a phenylalkyl, alkoxyalkyl or alkoxyalkoxyalkyl radical) in admixture with carriers or diluents. The compositions may comprise an emulsifying agent and optionally an organic solvent so that emulsions may be formed on the addition of water; or they may comprise a solid inert diluent, a dispersing agent and optionally a wetting agent so that aqueous dispersions may be formed on the addition of water; or they may take the form of dusting powders in which the carrier is a powdered solid. Examples describe compositions in which R is variously 2-ethylhexyl, n-butyl, n-amyl, 2 - (2 - n - butoxyethoxy) - ethyl, benzyl, 2 - n-butoxyethyl and 3 : 5 : 5-trimethylhexyl, solvents include acetone and xylene, emulsifying agents include a polyethylene oxide condensate of an octyl phenol with or without the addition of lauric diethanolamide, dispersing agents include a condensate of formaldehyde and an alkyl aryl sulphonate, and solid diluents include kaolin. In the Provisional Specification no limitation is placed on the number of carbon atoms in the radical R. Specifications 573,479 and 573,510, [both in Group IV], are referred to.