compositions comprising such compounds for controlling unwanted vegetation, and to a method for controlling unwanted vegetation by applying said compounds or compositions.

For the purposes of controlling unwanted vegetation, especially in crops, there is an ongoing need for new herbicides which have high activities and selectivities togeth- er with a substantial lack of toxicity for humans and animals.

WO 2012/028579 and WO 2013/017559 describe N-(tetrazol-5-yl)- and N-

(triazol-5-yl)benzamides carrying substituents in the 2- and 4-positions and optionally also in the 3-position of the phenyl ring and their use as herbicides. WO 2013/124245 relates to N-(tetrazol-4-yl)-, N-(triazol-3-yl)- and N-(1 ,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)-4- nitrobenzamides. N-(tetrazol-5-yl)- and N-(triazol-5-yl)benzamides are moreover de- scribed in WO 2013/174845 and WO 2013/064457, while WO 2011/035874 relates to N-(1 ,2,5-oxadiazol-3-yl)-benzamides. WO 2012/126932 relates to N-(1 ,3,4-oxadiazol-2- yl)-benzamides.

The compounds of the prior art often suffer from insufficient herbicidal activity in particular at low application rates and/or unsatisfactory selectivity resulting in a low compatibility with crop plants.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide further benzamide compounds having a strong herbicidal activity, in particular even at low application rates, a sufficiently low toxicity for humans and animals and/or a high compatibility with crop plants. The benzamide compounds should also show a broad activity spectrum against a large number of different unwanted plants.

These and further objectives are achieved by the compounds of formula I defined below and their agriculturally suitable salts.

Therefore, in a first aspect the present invention relates to compounds of formula

wherein

Q is Q ¹ or Q ² or Q ³ or Q ⁴ ,

4

(Q ¹ ) (Q ² ) (Q ³ ) (Q ) wherein # represents the attachment point to the remainder of the molecule; R ¹ is selected from the group consisting of cyano, halogen, nitro, C-i-Cs-alkyl, C-i-Cs- haloalkyl, C2-C8-alkenyl, C2-C8-alkynyl, Ci-C4-alkoxy-Ci-C4-alkyl, C1-C4- haloalkoxy-Ci-C4-alkyl, Ci-Cs-alkoxy, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkoxy, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ - alkoxy-Z ¹ and R ^1b -S(0) _k -Z ¹ ; R ² is selected from the group consisting of phenyl-Z ⁴ -S(0) _n -Z ² , heterocyclyl-Z ⁴ -

S(0) _n -Z ² , Cyc-Z ⁴ -S(0) _n -Z ² and Het-Z ^2a , where the cyclic groups (i.e. phenyl, het- erocyclyl, Cyc and Het) of the four aforementioned radicals are unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 substituents independently of each other selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, Ci-C4-alkyl, Ci-C4-haloalkyl, Ci-C4-alkoxy, Ci-C4-haloalkoxy, Ci-C4-alkylsulfonyl, Ci-C4-haloalkylsulfonyl, phenyl and oxo; where Cyc is C3-C6-cycloalkyl or C3-C6-cycloalkyl fused to a benzene ring; where heterocyclyl is a 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-membered monocyclic or 7-, 8-, 9- or 10- membered bicyclic saturated, partially unsaturated or maximally unsaturated het- erocycle containing 1 , 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms or heteroatom-containing groups se- lected from the group consisting of O, N, S, S(O) and S(0) ₂ as ring members; and where Het is a 5- or 6-membered saturated heterocycle containing 1 or 2 S(0) _n groups as ring members;

R ³ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, cyano, thiocyanato, halogen, nitro, hydroxy-Z ³ , C-i-Cs-alkyl, Ci-C4-cyanoalkyl, C-i-Cs-haloalkyl, C2-Cs-alkenyl,

C2-C8-haloalkenyl, C2-Cs-alkynyl, Cs-Cs-haloalkynyl, C3-Cio-cycloalkyl-Z ³ , C3-C6- cycloalkenyl-Z ³ , C3-Cio-cycloalkoxy-Z ³ , C3-Cio-cycloalkyl-Ci-C2-alkoxy, where the cyclic groups of the four aforementioned radicals are unsubstituted or partially or completely halogenated; C-i-Cs-alkoxy-Z ³ , C-i-Cs-haloalkoxy-Z ³ , Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-C-i- C ₄ -alkoxy-Z ³ , Ci-C ₄ -haloalkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Z ³ , C2-C8-alkenyloxy-Z ³ , C2-C8- haloalkenyloxy-Z ³ , C2-Cs-alkynyloxy-Z ³ , C ₃ -C ₈ -haloalkynyloxy-Z ³ , R ^3b -S(0) _k -Z ³ , R ^3c -C(0)-Z ³ , R ^3d 0-C(0)-Z ³ , R ^3d O-N=CH-Z ³ , R ^3e R ^3f N-C(0)-Z ³ , R¾R ^3h N-Z ³ , R ²² C(0)0-Z ³ , R ²⁵ 0C(0)0-Z ³ , (R ²² ) ₂ NC(0)0-Z ³ , R ²⁵ S(0) ₂ 0-Z ³ , R ²² 0S(0) ₂ -Z ³ , (R ²² ) ₂ NS(0) ₂ -Z ³ , R ²⁵ 0C(0)N(R ²² )-Z ³ , (R ²² ) ₂ NC(0)N(R ²² )-Z ³ , (R ²² ) ₂ NS(0) ₂ N(R ²² )- Z ³ , (0H) ₂ P(0)-Z ³ , (Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy) ₂ P(0)-Z ³ , phenyl-Z ^3a and heterocyclyl-Z ^3a , where heterocyclyl is a 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-membered monocyclic or 8-, 9- or 10-membered bicyclic saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle containing 1 , 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, N and S as ring mem- bers; where the cyclic groups in phenyl-Z ^3a and heterocyclyl-Z ^3a are unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups R ²¹ which are identical or different;

where R ³ is not nitro if R ² is phenyi-S(0) _n -Z ² or C ₃ -C ₆ -cycloalkyl-S(0) _n -Z ² ;

R ⁴ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano-Z ¹ , C1- Cs-alkyl, C-i-Cs-haloalkyl, C ₃ -C7-cycloalkyl, C ₃ -C7-cycloalkyl-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, where the C ₃ -C7-cycloalkyl groups in the two aforementioned radicals are unsubstituted or partially or completely halogenated; C2-Cs-alkenyl, C2-Cs-alkynyl, Ci-C ₃ - alkylamino, di-(Ci-C ₃ -alkyl)-amino, C-i-C ₃ -alkylamino-S(0) _k , Ci-C ₃ -alkylcarbonyl, Ci-Cs-alkoxy, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkoxy, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkoxy-Ci- C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Z ¹ , Ci-C ₄ -haloalkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Z ¹ , Ci-C ₄ - alkylthio-Ci-C ₄ -alkylthio-Z ¹ , C2-C6-alkenyloxy, C2-C6-alkynyloxy, R ^1b -S(0) _k -Z ¹ , phenoxy-Z ¹ and heterocyclyloxy-Z ¹ , where heterocyclyloxy is an oxygen-bound 5- or 6-membered monocyclic or 8-, 9- or 10-membered bicyclic saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle containing 1 , 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, N and S as ring members; where the cyclic groups in phenoxy and heterocyclyloxy are unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups R ¹¹ which are identical or different; each R ⁵ is independently selected from the group consisting of Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, C1-C6- haloalkyl, C ₃ -C7-cycloalkyl, C ₃ -C7-cycloalkyl-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, where the C ₃ -C ₇ - cycloalkyl groups of the two aforementioned radicals are unsubstituted or partially or completely halogenated; C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-haloalkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C ₃ - C ₆ -haloalkynyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, R ^b -S(0) _n - Ci-C ₃ -alkyl, phenyl and benzyl, where phenyl and benzyl are unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups which are identical or different and selected from the group consisting of halogen, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy and Ci-C4-haloalkoxy;

where R ⁵ is not Ci-C4-alkoxy-Ci-C4-alkyl if R ² is C ₃ -C ₆ -cycloalkyl-S(0) _n -Z ² ;

R ¹¹ and R ²¹ , independently of each other, are selected from the group consisting of cy- ano, halogen, nitro, Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl, C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl, C ₃ -C ₇ - halocycloalkyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -haloalkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkynyl, C ₃ -C ₆ -haloalkynyl, Ci-C ₆ -alkoxy, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkoxy, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkoxy-Ci- C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkylthio-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy and C ₃ -C ₇ - cycloalkoxy, or two radicals R ²¹ bound to the same carbon atom of heterocyclyl together may form a group =0;

Z ¹ and Z ³ , independently of each other, are selected from the group consisting of a covalent bond and Ci-C ₄ -alkanediyl;

Z ² is Ci-C ₃ -alkanediyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups which are identical or different and selected from the group consisting of C ₁ -C ₄ - alkyl and Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl;

Z ^2a is a covalent bond or Ci-C ₃ -alkanediyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups which are identical or different and selected from the group con- sisting of Ci-C ₄ -alkyl and Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl;

Z ^3a is selected from the group consisting of a covalent bond, Ci-C ₄ -alkanediyl, O-C ₁ - C ₄ -alkanediyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkanediyl-0 and Ci-C ₄ -alkanediyl-0-Ci-C ₄ -alkanediyl;

Z ⁴ is a covalent bond or (unsubstituted) Ci-C ₃ -alkanediyl;

R ^b , R ^1b and R ^3b , independently of each other, are selected from the group consisting of Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl, C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -haloalkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkynyl, C ₃ -C ₆ -haloalkynyl, phenyl and heterocyclyl, where heterocyclyl is a 5- or 6-membered monocyclic saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic heter- ocycle containing 1 , 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, N and S as ring members, where phenyl and heterocyclyl are unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups which are identical or different and selected from the group consisting of halogen, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy and Ci-C ₄ -haloalkoxy;

R ^3c is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl, C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl, C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, where the C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl groups in the two aforementioned radicals are unsubstituted or partially or completely halogenated; Ci-C ₆ -alkoxy, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkoxy, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -haloalkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkynyl, C ₃ -C ₆ -haloalkynyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl-S(0) _n -Ci- C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, di-(Ci-C ₄ -alkyl)-amino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, C ₁ -C ₆ - cyanoalkyl, phenyl, benzyl and heterocyclyl, where heterocyclyl is a 5- or 6- membered monocyclic saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle containing 1 , 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, N and S as ring members, where phenyl, benzyl and heterocyclyl are unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups which are identical or different and selected from the group consisting of halogen, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy and Ci-C ₄ -haloalkoxy;

R ^3d is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl, C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl, C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, where the C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl groups in the two aforementioned radicals are unsubstituted or partially or completely halogenated; C ₂ -C ₆ -alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -haloalkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkynyl, C ₃ -C ₆ -haloalkynyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl-S(0) _n -Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkylamino-Ci-C ₄ - alkyl, di-(Ci-C ₄ -alkyl)-amino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -cya noalkyl, phenyl and benzyl, where phenyl and benzyl are unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups which are identical or different and selected from the group consisting of halogen, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy and Ci-C ₄ -haloalkoxy;

R ^3e and R ^3f , independently of each other, are selected from the group consisting of hy- drogen, Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl, C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl, C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl-Ci-C ₄ - alkyl, where the C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl groups in the two aforementioned radicals are unsubstituted or partially or completely halogenated; C ₂ -C ₆ -alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ - haloalkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkynyl, C ₃ -C ₆ -haloalkynyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, phenyl and benzyl, where phenyl and benzyl are unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups which are identical or different and selected from the group consisting of halogen, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy and Ci-C ₄ -haloalkoxy; or

R ^3e and R ^3f , together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bound, may form a 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-membered, saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic radical which may con- tain as a ring member a further heteroatom selected from the group consisting of O, S and N, and which is unsubstituted or may carry 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups which are identical or different and selected from the group consisting of =0, halogen, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy and Ci-C ₄ -haloalkoxy; R¾ and R ^3h , independently of each other, are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl, C3-C7-cycloalkyl, C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl-Ci-C ₄ - alkyl, where the C3-C7-cycloalkyl groups in the two aforementioned radicals are unsubstituted or partially or completely halogenated; C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6- haloalkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-haloalkynyl, Ci-C4-alkoxy-Ci-C4-alkyl, C1-C4- alkylsulfonyl, a radical C(0)R ^k , phenyl and benzyl, where phenyl and benzyl are unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups which are identical or different and selected from the group consisting of halogen, Ci-C4-alkyl, Ci-C4-haloalkyl, Ci-C4-alkoxy and Ci-C4-haloalkoxy; or

R¾ and R ^3h , together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bound, may form a 4-, 5- , 6- or 7-membered, saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic radical which may contain as a ring member a further heteroatom selected from the group consist- ing of O, S and N, and which is unsubstituted or may carry 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups which are identical or different and selected from the group consisting of =0, hal- ogen, Ci-C4-alkyl, Ci-C4-haloalkyl, Ci-C4-alkoxy and Ci-C4-haloalkoxy; each R ²² is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-haloalkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6- haloalkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C3-C6-halocycloalkyl, C3-C6- cycloalkyl-Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-Ci-C6-alkoxy- Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, phenyl-Z ¹ , phenyl-0-Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, phenyl-N(R ²³ )-Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, phenyl- S(0) _n -Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, heterocyclyl-Z ¹ , heterocyclyl-N(R ²³ )-Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, heterocyclyl- 0-Ci-C ₆ -alkyl and heterocyclyl-S(0) _n -Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, where heterocyclyl is a 5- or 6- membered monocyclic saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle containing 1 , 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, N and S as ring members, where phenyl and heterocyclyl are unsubstituted or sub- stituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups which are identical or different and selected from the group consisting of cyano, halogen, nitro, thiocyanato, Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, C1-C6- haloalkyl, C ₃ -C ₆ -cycloalkyl, C(0)0R ²³ , C(0)N(R ²³ ) ₂ , OR ²³ , N(R ²³ ) ₂ , S(0) _n R ²⁴ , S(0) ₂ 0R ²³ , S(0) ₂ N(R ²³ ) ₂ and R ²³ 0-Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, and where heterocyclyl bears 0, 1 or 2 oxo groups; each R ²³ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl- Ci-C ₆ -alkyl and phenyl;

R ²⁴ is selected from the group consisting of Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl, C2-C6- alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-Ci-C6-alkyl and phenyl; R ²⁵ is selected from the group consisting of Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl, C2-C6- alkenyl, C2-C6-haloalkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-haloalkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3- C ₆ -cycloalkenyl, C3-C6-halocycloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-Ci-C6-alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -alkoxy- Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-Ci-C6-alkoxy-Ci-C6-alkyl, phenyl-Z ¹ , phenyl-O-Ci- C ₆ -alkyl, phenyl-N(R ²³ )-Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, phenyl-S(0) _n -Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, heterocyclyl-Z ¹ , heterocyclyl-N(R ²³ )-Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, heterocyclyl-0-Ci-C ₆ -alkyl and heterocyclyl- S(0) _n -Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, where heterocyclyl is a 5- or 6-membered monocyclic saturat- ed, partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle containing 1 , 2, 3 or 4 heteroa- toms selected from the group consisting of O, N and S as ring members, where phenyl and heterocyclyl are unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups which are identical or different and selected from the group consisting of cyano, halogen, nitro, thiocyanato, Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C(0)0R ²³ , C(0)N(R ²³ ) ₂ , OR ²³ , N(R ²³ ) ₂ , S(0) _n R ²⁴ , S(0) ₂ 0R ²³ , S(0) ₂ N(R ²³ ) ₂ and R ²³ 0-Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, and where heterocyclyl bears 0, 1 or 2 oxo groups;

R ^k independently has the meanings of R ^3c ; k is 0, 1 or 2; and n is 0, 1 or 2; or an N-oxide or an agriculturally suitable salt thereof.

As a matter of course, in R ² the phenyl ring and a maximally unsaturated mono- or bi- cyclic heterocyclyl cannot be substituted by oxo. In other words, oxo is only a suitable substitutent if the cyclic group (phenyl, heterocyclyl, Cyc, Het) is heterocyclyl, where heterocyclyl is a 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-membered monocyclic or 7-, 8-, 9- or 10-membered bi- cyclic saturated or partially unsaturated heterocycle; is Cyc or is Het.

Thus, R ² is selected from the group consisting of phenyl-Z ⁴ -S(0) _n -Z ² , heterocyclyl-Z ⁴ - S(0) _n -Z ² , Cyc-Z ⁴ -S(0) _n -Z ² and Het-Z ^2a , where the cyclic groups (phenyl, heterocyclyl, Cyc and Het) of the four aforementioned radicals are unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 substituents independently of each other selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C4-haloalkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkoxy, Ci-C ₄ - alkylsulfonyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkylsulfonyl and phenyl, where in case that the cyclic group is heterocyclyl, where heterocyclyl is a saturated or partially unsaturated heterocycle, is Cyc or is Het, the optional substituents are additionally selected from oxo; where Cyc is C3-C6-cycloalkyl or C3-C6-cycloalkyl fused to a benzene ring; where heterocyclyl is a 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-membered monocyclic or 7-, 8-, 9- or 10-membered bicyclic saturated, par- tially unsaturated or maximally unsaturated heterocycle containing 1 , 2, 3 or 4 heteroa- toms or heteroatom-containing groups selected from the group consisting of O, N, S, S(O) and S(0) ₂ as ring members; and where Het is a 5- or 6-membered saturated het- erocycle containing 1 or 2 S(0) _n groups as ring members.

In a particular embodiment, the present invention relates to compounds of formu- la I

wherein

Q is Q ¹ or Q ² or Q ³ or Q ⁴ ,

4

(Q ¹ ) (Q ² ) (Q ³ ) (Q ) wherein # represents the attachment point to the remainder of the molecule;

R ¹ is selected from the group consisting of cyano, halogen, nitro, C-i-Cs-alkyl, C-i-Cs- haloalkyl, C2-Cs-alkenyl, C2-Cs-alkynyl, Ci-C4-alkoxy-Ci-C4-alkyl, C1-C4- haloalkoxy-Ci-C4-alkyl, C-i-Cs-alkoxy, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkoxy, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ - alkoxy-Z ¹ and R ^1b -S(0) _k -Z ¹ ;

R ² is selected from the group consisting of phenyi-S(0) _n -Z ² , heterocyciyl-S(0) _n -Z ² , C ₃ -C ₆ -cycloalkyl-S(0) _n -Z ² and Het-Z ^2a , where the cyclic groups of the four afore- mentioned radicals are unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, Ci-C4-alkyl, Ci-C4-haloalkyl, Ci-C4-alkoxy, Ci-C4-haloalkoxy, Ci-C4-alkylsulfonyl and Ci-C4-haloalkylsulfonyl; where heterocyclyl is a 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-membered monocyclic or 7-, 8-, 9- or 10- membered bicyclic saturated, partially unsaturated or maximally unsaturated het- erocycle containing 1 , 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms or heteroatom-containing groups se- lected from the group consisting of O, N, S, S(O) and S(0) ₂ as ring members; and where Het is a 5- or 6-membered saturated heterocycle containing 1 or 2 S(0) _n groups as ring members;

where R ³ is not nitro if R ² is phenyi-S(0) _n -Z ² or C ₃ -C ₆ -cycloalkyl-S(0) _n -Z ² ;

R ³ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, cyano, thiocyanato, halogen, nitro, hydroxy-Z ³ , C-i-Cs-alkyl, Ci-C4-cyanoalkyl, C-i-Cs-haloalkyl, C2-Cs-alkenyl, C2-C8-haloalkenyl, C2-Cs-alkynyl, Cs-Cs-haloalkynyl, C3-Cio-cycloalkyl-Z ³ , C3-C6- cycloalkenyl-Z ³ , C3-Cio-cycloalkoxy-Z ³ , C3-Cio-cycloalkyl-Ci-C2-alkoxy, where the cyclic groups of the four aforementioned radicals are unsubstituted or partially or completely halogenated; C-i-Cs-alkoxy-Z ³ , C-i-Cs-haloalkoxy-Z ³ , Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-C-i- C ₄ -alkoxy-Z ³ , Ci-C ₄ -haloalkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Z ³ , C2-C8-alkenyloxy-Z ³ , C2-C8- haloalkenyloxy-Z ³ , C2-C8-alkynyloxy-Z ³ , Cs-Cs-haloalkynyloxy-Z ³ , R ^3b -S(0) _k -Z ³ , R ^3c -C(0)-Z ³ , R ^3d 0-C(0)-Z ³ , R ^3d O-N=CH-Z ³ , R ^3e R ^3f N-C(0)-Z ³ , R¾R ^3h N-Z ³ , R ²² C(0)0-Z ³ , R ²⁵ 0C(0)0-Z ³ , (R ²² ) ₂ NC(0)0-Z ³ , R ²⁵ S(0) ₂ 0-Z ³ , R ²² 0S(0) ₂ -Z ³ , (R ²² ) ₂ NS(0) ₂ -Z ³ , R ²⁵ 0C(0)N(R ²² )-Z ³ , (R ²² ) ₂ NC(0)N(R ²² )-Z ³ , (R ²² ) ₂ NS(0) ₂ N(R ²² )- Z ³ , (0H) ₂ P(0)-Z ³ , (Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy) ₂ P(0)-Z ³ , phenyl-Z ^3a and heterocyclyl-Z ^3a , where heterocyclyl is a 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-membered monocyclic or 8-, 9- or 10-membered bicyclic saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle containing 1 , 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, N and S as ring mem- bers; where the cyclic groups in phenyl-Z ^3a and heterocyclyl-Z ^3a are unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups R ²¹ which are identical or different;

where R ³ is not nitro if R ² is phenyi-S(0) _n -Z ² or C ₃ -C ₆ -cycloalkyl-S(0) _n -Z ² ;

R ⁴ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano-Z ¹ , C1- Cs-alkyl, C-i-Cs-haloalkyl, C3-C7-cycloalkyl, C3-C7-cycloalkyl-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, where the C3-C7-cycloalkyl groups in the two aforementioned radicals are unsubstituted or partially or completely halogenated; C2-Cs-alkenyl, C2-Cs-alkynyl, C1-C3- alkylamino, di-(Ci-C3-alkyl)-amino, Ci-C ₃ -alkylamino-S(0) _k , Ci-C3-alkylcarbonyl, C-i-Cs-alkoxy, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkoxy, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkoxy-Ci- C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Z ¹ , Ci-C ₄ -haloalkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Z ¹ , Ci-C ₄ - alkylthio-Ci-C ₄ -alkylthio-Z ¹ , C2-C6-alkenyloxy, C2-C6-alkynyloxy, R ^1b -S(0) _k -Z ¹ , phenoxy-Z ¹ and heterocyclyloxy-Z ¹ , where heterocyclyloxy is an oxygen-bound 5- or 6-membered monocyclic or 8-, 9- or 10-membered bicyclic saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle containing 1 , 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, N and S as ring members; where the cyclic groups in phenoxy and heterocyclyloxy are unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups R ¹¹ which are identical or different; each R ⁵ is independently selected from the group consisting of Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, C ₁ -C ₆ - haloalkyl, C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl, C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, where the C ₃ -C ₇ - cycloalkyl groups of the two aforementioned radicals are unsubstituted or partially or completely halogenated; C ₂ -C ₆ -alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -haloalkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkynyl, C ₃ - C ₆ -haloalkynyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, R ^b -S(0) _n - Ci-C ₃ -alkyl, phenyl and benzyl, where phenyl and benzyl are unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups which are identical or different and selected from the group consisting of halogen, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy and Ci-C ₄ -haloalkoxy;

where R ⁵ is not Ci-C4-alkoxy-Ci-C4-alkyl if R ² is C ₃ -C ₆ -cycloalkyl-S(0) _n -Z ² ;

R ¹¹ and R ²¹ , independently of each other, are selected from the group consisting of cy- ano, halogen, nitro, Ci-C6-alkyl, Ci-C6-haloalkyl, C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl, C ₃ -C ₇ - halocycloalkyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -haloalkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkynyl, C ₃ -C ₆ -haloalkynyl, Ci-C6-alkoxy, Ci-C6-haloalkoxy, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkoxy-Ci- C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkylthio-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy and C ₃ -C ₇ - cycloalkoxy, or two radicals R ²¹ bound to the same carbon atom of heterocyclyl together may form a group =0;

Z ¹ and Z ³ , independently of each other, are selected from the group consisting of a covalent bond and Ci-C ₄ -alkanediyl;

Z ² is Ci-C ₃ -alkanediyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups which are identical or different and selected from the group consisting of C ₁ -C ₄ - alkyl and Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl;

Z ^2a is a covalent bond or Ci-C ₃ -alkanediyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups which are identical or different and selected from the group con- sisting of Ci-C ₄ -alkyl and Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl;

Z ^3a is selected from the group consisting of a covalent bond, Ci-C ₄ -alkanediyl, O-C ₁ - C ₄ -alkanediyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkanediyl-0 and Ci-C ₄ -alkanediyl-0-Ci-C ₄ -alkanediyl;

R ^b , R ^1b and R ^3b , independently of each other, are selected from the group consisting of Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl, C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -haloalkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkynyl, C ₃ -C ₆ -haloalkynyl, phenyl and heterocyclyl, where heterocyclyl is a 5- or 6-membered monocyclic saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic heter- ocycle containing 1 , 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, N and S as ring members, where phenyl and heterocyclyl are unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups which are identical or different and selected from the group consisting of halogen, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy and Ci-C ₄ -haloalkoxy;

R ^3c is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl, C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl, C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, where the C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl groups in the two aforementioned radicals are unsubstituted or partially or completely halogenated; Ci-C ₆ -alkoxy, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkoxy, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -haloalkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkynyl, C ₃ -C ₆ -haloalkynyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl-S(0) _n -Ci- C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, di-(Ci-C ₄ -alkyl)-amino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, C ₁ -C ₆ - cyanoalkyl, phenyl, benzyl and heterocyclyl, where heterocyclyl is a 5- or 6- membered monocyclic saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle containing 1 , 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, N and S as ring members, where phenyl, benzyl and heterocyclyl are unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups which are identical or different and selected from the group consisting of halogen, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy and Ci-C ₄ -haloalkoxy;

R ^3d is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl, C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl, C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, where the C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl groups in the two aforementioned radicals are unsubstituted or partially or completely halogenated; C ₂ -C ₆ -alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -haloalkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkynyl, C ₃ -C ₆ -haloalkynyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl-S(0) _n -Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkylamino-Ci-C ₄ - alkyl, di-(Ci-C ₄ -alkyl)-amino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -cya noalkyl, phenyl and benzyl, where phenyl and benzyl are unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups which are identical or different and selected from the group consisting of halogen, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy and Ci-C ₄ -haloalkoxy;

R ^3e and R ^3f , independently of each other, are selected from the group consisting of hy- drogen, Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl, C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl, C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl-Ci-C ₄ - alkyl, where the C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl groups in the two aforementioned radicals are unsubstituted or partially or completely halogenated; C ₂ -C ₆ -alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ - haloalkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkynyl, C ₃ -C ₆ -haloalkynyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, phenyl and benzyl, where phenyl and benzyl are unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups which are identical or different and selected from the group consisting of halogen, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy and Ci-C ₄ -haloalkoxy; or

R ^3e and R ^3f , together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bound, may form a 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-membered, saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic radical which may con- tain as a ring member a further heteroatom selected from the group consisting of O, S and N, and which is unsubstituted or may carry 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups which are identical or different and selected from the group consisting of =0, halogen, Ci-C4-alkyl, Ci-C4-haloalkyl, Ci-C4-alkoxy and Ci-C4-haloalkoxy;

R¾ and R ^3h , independently of each other, are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl, C3-C7-cycloalkyl, C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl-Ci-C ₄ - alkyl, where the C3-C7-cycloalkyl groups in the two aforementioned radicals are unsubstituted or partially or completely halogenated; C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6- haloalkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-haloalkynyl, Ci-C4-alkoxy-Ci-C4-alkyl, C1-C4- alkylsulfonyl, a radical C(0)R ^k , phenyl and benzyl, where phenyl and benzyl are unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups which are identical or different and selected from the group consisting of halogen, Ci-C4-alkyl, Ci-C4-haloalkyl, Ci-C4-alkoxy and Ci-C4-haloalkoxy; or

R¾ and R ^3h , together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bound, may form a 4-, 5- , 6- or 7-membered, saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic radical which may contain as a ring member a further heteroatom selected from the group consist- ing of O, S and N, and which is unsubstituted or may carry 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups which are identical or different and selected from the group consisting of =0, hal- ogen, Ci-C4-alkyl, Ci-C4-haloalkyl, Ci-C4-alkoxy and Ci-C4-haloalkoxy; each R ²² is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-haloalkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6- haloalkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C3-C6-halocycloalkyl, C3-C6- cycloalkyl-Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-Ci-C6-alkoxy- Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, phenyl-Z ¹ , phenyl-0-Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, phenyl-N(R ²³ )-Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, phenyl- S(0) _n -Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, heterocyclyl-Z ¹ , heterocyclyl-N(R ²³ )-Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, heterocyclyl- 0-Ci-C ₆ -alkyl and heterocyclyl-S(0) _n -Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, where heterocyclyl is a 5- or 6- membered monocyclic saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle containing 1 , 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, N and S as ring members, where phenyl and heterocyclyl are unsubstituted or sub- stituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups which are identical or different and selected from the group consisting of cyano, halogen, nitro, thiocyanato, Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, C1-C6- haloalkyl, C ₃ -C ₆ -cycloalkyl, C(0)0R ²³ , C(0)N(R ²³ ) ₂ , OR ²³ , N(R ²³ ) ₂ , S(0) _n R ²⁴ , S(0) ₂ 0R ²³ , S(0) ₂ N(R ²³ ) ₂ and R ²³ 0-Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, and where heterocyclyl bears 0, 1 or 2 oxo groups; each R ²³ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl- Ci-C ₆ -alkyl and phenyl;

R ²⁴ is selected from the group consisting of Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl, C2-C6- alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-Ci-C6-alkyl and phenyl;

R ²⁵ is selected from the group consisting of Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl, C2-C6- alkenyl, C2-C6-haloalkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-haloalkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3- C ₆ -cycloalkenyl, C3-C6-halocycloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-Ci-C6-alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -alkoxy- Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-Ci-C6-alkoxy-Ci-C6-alkyl, phenyl-Z ¹ , phenyl-O-Ci- C ₆ -alkyl, phenyl-N(R ²³ )-Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, phenyl-S(0) _n -Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, heterocyclyl-Z ¹ , heterocyclyl-N(R ²³ )-Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, heterocyclyl-0-Ci-C ₆ -alkyl and heterocyclyl- S(0) _n -Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, where heterocyclyl is a 5- or 6-membered monocyclic saturat- ed, partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle containing 1 , 2, 3 or 4 heteroa- toms selected from the group consisting of O, N and S as ring members, where phenyl and heterocyclyl are unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups which are identical or different and selected from the group consisting of cyano, halogen, nitro, thiocyanato, Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C(0)0R ²³ , C(0)N(R ²³ ) ₂ , OR ²³ , N(R ²³ ) ₂ , S(0) _n R ²⁴ , S(0) ₂ 0R ²³ , S(0) ₂ N(R ²³ ) ₂ and R ²³ 0-Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, and where heterocyclyl bears 0, 1 or 2 oxo groups;

R ^k independently has the meanings of R ^3c ; k is 0, 1 or 2; and n is 0, 1 or 2; or an N-oxide or an agriculturally suitable salt thereof.

The invention also relates to a composition comprising at least one compound of formula I, an N-oxide or a salt thereof, and at least one auxiliary. In particular, the in- vention relates to an agricultural composition comprising at least one compound of formula I or an N-oxide or an agriculturally suitable salt thereof, and at least one auxil- iary customary for crop protection formulations.

The compounds of the present invention, i.e. the compounds of formula I, their N- oxides and their agriculturally suitable salts, are particularly useful for controlling un- wanted vegetation. Therefore, the invention also relates to the use of a compound of formula I or an N-oxide or an agriculturally suitable salt thereof or of a composition comprising at least one compound of formula I or an N-oxide or an agriculturally suita- ble salt thereof for combating or controlling unwanted vegetation.

The present invention also relates to a method for combating or controlling un- wanted vegetation, which method comprises allowing a herbicidally effective amount of at least one compound of formula I or an N-oxide or a salt thereof to act on unwanted plants, their seed and/or their habitat.

Depending on the substitution pattern, the compounds of formula I may have one or more centers of chirality, in which case they are present as mixtures of enantiomers or diastereomers. The invention provides both the pure enantiomers or pure diastere- omers of the compounds of formula I, and their mixtures and the use according to the invention of the pure enantiomers or pure diastereomers of the compound of formula I or its mixtures. Suitable compounds of formula I also include all possible geometrical stereoisomers (cis/trans isomers) and mixtures thereof. Cis/trans isomers may be pre- sent with respect to an alkene, carbon-nitrogen double-bond, nitrogen-sulfur double bond or amide group. The term "stereoisomer(s)" encompasses both optical isomers, such as enantiomers or diastereomers, the latter existing due to more than one center of chirality in the molecule, as well as geometrical isomers (cis/trans isomers).

Depending on the substitution pattern, the compounds of formula I may be pre- sent in the form of their tautomers. Hence the invention also relates to the tautomers of compounds of formula I and the stereoisomers and salts of said tautomers.

The present invention moreover relates to compounds as defined herein, wherein one or more of the atoms depicted in formula I have been replaced by its stable, preferably non-radioactive isotope (e.g., hydrogen by deuterium, ¹² C by ¹³ C, ¹⁴ N by ¹⁵ N, ¹⁶ 0 by ¹⁸ 0) and in particular wherein at least one hydrogen atom has been replaced by a deuterium atom. Of course, the compounds according to the invention contain more of the respective isotope than this naturally occurs and thus is anyway present in the compounds of formula I.

The compounds of the present invention may be amorphous or may exist in one ore more different crystalline states (polymorphs) which may have different macroscop- ic properties such as stability or show different biological properties such as activities. The present invention includes both amorphous and crystalline compounds of formula I, their enantiomers or diastereomers, mixtures of different crystalline states of the re- spective compound of formula I, its enantiomers or diastereomers, as well as amor- phous or crystalline salts thereof.

Salts of the compounds of the present invention are preferably agriculturally suit- able salts. They can be formed in a customary method, e.g. by reacting the compound with an acid if the compound of the present invention has a basic functionality or by reacting the compound with a suitable base if the compound of the present invention has an acidic functionality. Useful agriculturally suitable salts are especially the salts of those cations or the acid addition salts of those acids whose cations and anions, respectively, do not have any adverse effect on the herbicidal action of the compounds according to the present invention. Suitable cations are in particular the ions of the alkali metals, preferably lithi- um, sodium and potassium, of the alkaline earth metals, preferably calcium, magnesi- um and barium, and of the transition metals, preferably manganese, copper, zinc and iron, and also ammonium (NH ₄ ⁺ ) and substituted ammonium in which one to four of the hydrogen atoms are replaced by Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -hydroxyalkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy, C ₁ -C ₄ - alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, hydroxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, phenyl or benzyl. Examples of substituted ammonium ions comprise methylammonium, isopropylammonium, dime- thylammonium, diisopropylammonium, trimethylammonium, tetramethylammonium, tetraethylammonium, tetrabutylammonium, 2-hydroxyethylammonium, 2-(2- hydroxyethoxy)ethylammonium, bis(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium, benzyltrimethylammo- nium and benzl-triethylammonium, furthermore phosphonium ions, sulfonium ions, preferably tri(Ci-C ₄ -alkyl)sulfonium, and sulfoxonium ions, preferably tri(Ci-C ₄ - alkyl)sulfoxonium.

Anions of useful acid addition salts are primarily chloride, bromide, fluoride, hy- drogensulfate, sulfate, dihydrogenphosphate, hydrogenphosphate, phosphate, nitrate, bicarbonate, carbonate, hexafluorosilicate, hexafluorophosphate, benzoate, and the anions of Ci-C ₄ -alkanoic acids, preferably formate, acetate, propionate and butyrate. They can be formed by reacting compounds of the present invention with an acid of the corresponding anion, preferably with hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid or nitric acid.

The N-oxides of compounds I are compounds in which a nitrogen atom, e.g. a ring nitrogen atom in the group Q or a nitrogen atom of an amino group, is present in oxidized form, i.e. as a group N ⁺ -0. The N-oxides are generally prepared by oxidation of the compound of formula I, e.g. with hydrogen peroxide or peroxy acids like meta- chloroperoxybenzoic acid (mCPBA), peroxyacetic acid or Caro's acid (peroxymonosul- furic acid).

The term "undesired vegetation" ("weeds") is understood to include any vegeta- tion growing in non-crop-areas or at a crop plant site or locus of seeded and otherwise desired crop, where the vegetation is any plant species, including their germinant seeds, emerging seedlings and established vegetation, other than the seeded or de- sired crop (if any). Weeds, in the broadest sense, are plants considered undesirable in a particular location.

The organic moieties mentioned in the above definitions of the variables are - like the term halogen - collective terms for individual listings of the individual group mem- bers. The prefix C _n -C _m indicates in each case the possible number of carbon atoms in the group.

The term "halogen" denotes in each case fluorine, bromine, chlorine or iodine, in particular fluorine, chlorine or bromine.

The term "partially or completely halogenated" will be taken to mean that 1 or more, e.g. 1 , 2, 3, 4 or 5 or all of the hydrogen atoms of a given radical have been re- placed by a halogen atom, in particular by fluorine or chlorine. A partially or completely halogenated radical is termed below also "halo-radical". For example, partially or com- pletely halogenated alkyl is also termed haloalkyl.

The term "alkyl" as used herein (and in the alkyl moieties of other groups corn- prising an alkyl group, e.g. alkoxy, alkylamino, alkylcarbonyl, alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, alkoxyalkyl and the like) refers to saturated straight-chain or branched hydrocarbon radicals having 1 to 2 ("Ci-C ₂ -alkyl"), 1 to 3 ("Ci-C ₃ -alkyl"),1 to 4 ("Ci-C ₄ -alkyl"), 1 to 6 ("Ci-Ce-alkyl"), 1 to 8 ("Ci-C ₈ -alkyl") or 1 to 10 ("CrCio-alkyl") carbon atoms. C1-C2- Alkyl is methyl or ethyl. Ci-C3-Alkyl is additionally propyl and isopropyl. Ci-C ₄ -Alkyl is additionally n-butyl, 1-methylpropyl (sec-butyl), 2-methylpropyl (isobutyl) or 1 ,1- dimethylethyl (tert-butyl). Examples for Ci-C ₆ -alkyl are, in addition to those mentioned for Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, n-pentyl, 1-methylbutyl, 2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl, 2,2- dimethylpropyl, 1-ethylpropyl, 1 ,1-dimethylpropyl, 1 ,2-dimethylpropyl, n-hexyl, 1- methylpentyl, 2-methylpentyl, 3-methylpentyl, 4-methylpentyl, 1 ,1 -dimethylbutyl, 1 ,2- dimethylbutyl, 1 ,3-dimethylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylbutyl, 2,3-dimethylbutyl, 3,3-dimethylbutyl, 1-ethylbutyl, 2-ethylbutyl, 1 ,1 ,2-trimethylpropyl, 1 ,2,2-trimethylpropyl, 1 -ethyl-1 - methylpropyl and 1-ethyl-2-methylpropyl. Examples for C-i-Cs-alkyl are, in addition to those mentioned for Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, n-heptyl, 1-methylhexyl, 2-methylhexyl, 3-methylhexyl, 4-methylhexyl, 5-methylhexyl, 1-ethylpentyl, 2-ethyl pentyl, 3-ethylpentyl, n-octyl, 1- methylheptyl, 2-methylheptyl, 1-ethylhexyl, 2-ethylhexyl, 1 ,2-dimethylhexyl, 1- propylpentyl, 2-propylpentyl, and other positional isomers thereof. Examples for C1-C10- alkyl are, in addition to those mentioned for C-i-Cs-alkyl, nonyl, decyl, 2-propylheptyl, 3- propylheptyl and other positional isomers thereof.

The term "haloalkyl" as used herein (and in the haloalkyl moieties of other groups comprising a haloalkyl group, e.g. haloalkoxy, haloalkylthio, haloalkylsulfonyl and the like), which is also expressed as "alkyl which is partially or fully halogenated", refers to straight-chain or branched alkyl groups having 1 to 2 ("Ci-C2-haloalkyl"), 1 to 3 ("C1-C ₃ - haloalkyl"), 1 to 4 ("Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl"), 1 to 6 ("Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl"), 1 to 8 ("Ci-C ₈ - haloalkyl") or 1 to 10 ("C i-Cio-haloalkyl ) carbon atoms (as mentioned above), where some or all of the hydrogen atoms in these groups are replaced by halogen atoms as mentioned above: in particular Ci-C2-haloalkyl, such as chloromethyl, bromomethyl, dichloromethyl, trichloromethyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chlorofluo- romethyl, dichlorofluoromethyl, chlorodifluoromethyl, 1-chloroethyl, 1-bromoethyl, 1- fluoroethyl, 2-fluoroethyl, 2,2-difluoroethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, 2-chloro-2-fluoroethyl, 2- chloro-2,2-difluoroethyl, 2,2-dichloro-2-fluoroethyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethyl or pentafluoro- ethyl. Examples for Ci-C3-haloalkyl are, in addition to those mention for C1-C2- haloalkyl, 1 -fluoropropyl, 2-fluoropropyl, 3-fluoropropyl, 1 , 1 -difluoropropyl, 2,2- difluoropropyl, 1 ,2-difluoropropyl, 3,3-difluoropropyl, 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl, heptafluoro- propyl, 1 ,1 ,1 -trifluoroprop-2-yl, 3-chloropropyl and the like. Examples for C1-C4- haloalkyl are, in addition to those mentioned for Ci-C3-haloalkyl, 4-chlorobutyl and the like.

The term "cyanoalkyl" as used herein refers to straight-chain or branched alkyl groups having 1 to 4 ("Ci-C4-cyanoalkyl") or 1 to 6 ("Ci-C ₆ -cyanoalkyl) carbon atoms (as mentioned above), where 1 or 2, preferably 1 , of the hydrogen atoms in these groups are replaced by a cyano (CN) group. Examples are cyanomethyl, 1 -cyanoethyl, 2-cyanoethyl, 1 -cyanopropyl, 2-cyanopropyl, 3-cyanopropyl, 1 -cyanobutyl, 2- cyanobutyl, 3-cyanobutyl, 4-cyanobutyl and the like.

The term "alkenyl" as used herein (and in the alkenyl moieties in alkenyloxy and the like) refers to monounsaturated straight-chain or branched hydrocarbon radicals having 2 to 3 ("C ₂ -C ₃ -alkenyl"), 2 to 4 ("C ₂ -C ₄ -alkenyl"), 2 to 6 ("C ₂ -C ₆ -alkenyl") or 2 to 8 ("C ₂ -C ₈ -alkenyl") carbon atoms and a double bond in any position, for example C2-C3- alkenyl, such as ethenyl, prop-1 -en-1 -yl, prop-1 -en-2-yl, prop-1 -en-3-yl, or 1 - methylethenyl; C ₂ -C4-alkenyl, such as ethenyl, 1 -propenyl (prop-1 -en-1 -yl), 2-propenyl (prop-1 -en-3-yl), 1 -methylethenyl (prop-1 -en-2-yl), 1 -butenyl (but-1 -en-1 -yl), 2-butenyl (but-2-en-1 -yl), 3-butenyl (but-1 -en-4-yl), but-1 -en-2-yl, 1 -methyl-1 -propenyl (but-2-en- 2-yl), 2-methyl-1 -propenyl (2-methyl-prop-1 -en-1 -yl), 1 -methyl-2-propenyl (but-1 -en-3- yl) or 2-methyl-2-propenyl (2-methyl-prop-1 -en-3-yl); C ₂ -C ₆ -alkenyl, such as ethenyl, 1 - propenyl, 2-propenyl, 1 -methylethenyl, 1 -butenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 1 -methyl-1 - propenyl, 2-methyl-1 -propenyl, 1 -methyl-2-propenyl, 2-methyl-2-propenyl, 1 -pentenyl, 2-pentenyl, 3-pentenyl, 4-pentenyl, 1 -methyl-1 -butenyl, 2-methyl-1 -butenyl, 3-methyl-1 - butenyl, 1 -methyl-2-butenyl, 2-methyl-2-butenyl, 3-methyl-2-butenyl, 1 -methyl-3- butenyl, 2-methyl-3-butenyl, 3-methyl-3-butenyl, 1 ,1 -dimethyl-2-propenyl, 1 ,2-dimethyl-

1 -propenyl, 1 ,2-dimethyl-2-propenyl, 1 -ethyl-1 -propenyl, 1 -ethyl-2-propenyl, 1 -hexenyl,

2-hexenyl, 3-hexenyl, 4-hexenyl, 5-hexenyl, 1 -methyl-1 -pentenyl, 2-methyl-1 -pentenyl,

3-methyl-1 -pentenyl, 4-methyl-1 -pentenyl, 1 -methyl-2-pentenyl, 2-methyl-2-pentenyl, 3- methyl-2-pentenyl, 4-methyl-2-pentenyl, 1 -methyl-3-pentenyl, 2-methyl-3-pentenyl, 3- methyl-3-pentenyl, 4-methyl-3-pentenyl, 1 -methyl-4-pentenyl, 2-methyl-4-pentenyl, 3- methyl-4-pentenyl, 4-methyl-4-pentenyl, 1 ,1 -dimethyl-2-butenyl, 1 ,1 -dimethyl-3-butenyl,

1 .2-dimethyl-1 -butenyl, 1 ,2-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 1 ,2-dimethyl-3-butenyl, 1 ,3-dimethyl-1 - butenyl, 1 ,3-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 1 ,3-dimethyl-3-butenyl, 2,2-dimethyl-3-butenyl,

2.3-dimethyl-1 -butenyl, 2,3-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 2,3-dimethyl-3-butenyl, 3,3-dimethyl-1 - butenyl, 3,3-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 1 -ethyl-1 -butenyl, 1 -ethyl-2-butenyl, 1 -ethyl-3-butenyl, 2-ethyl-1 -butenyl, 2-ethyl-2-butenyl, 2-ethyl-3-butenyl, 1 ,1 ,2-trimethyl-2-propenyl, 1 -ethyl-1 -methyl-2-propenyl, 1 -ethyl-2-methyl-1 -propenyl, 1 -ethyl-2-methyl-2-propenyl and the like, or C2-C ₈ -alkenyl, such as the radicals mentioned for C2-C6-alkenyl and additionally also 1 -heptenyl, 2-heptenyl, 3-heptenyl, 1 -octenyl, 2-octenyl, 3-octenyl, 4- octenyl, and the positional isomers thereof.

The term "haloalkenyl" as used herein (and in the haloalkenyl moieties in haloal- kenyloxy and the like), which is also expressed as "alkenyl which is partially or fully halogenated", refers to unsaturated straight-chain or branched hydrocarbon radicals having 2 to 3 ("C ₂ -C ₃ -haloalkenyl"), 2 to 4 ("C ₂ -C ₄ -haloalkenyl"), 2 to 6 ("C ₂ -C ₆ - haloalkenyl") or 2 to 8 ("C2-C6-haloalkenyl") carbon atoms and a double bond in any position (as mentioned above), where some or all of the hydrogen atoms in these groups are replaced by halogen atoms as mentioned above, in particular fluorine, chlo- rine and bromine, for example chlorovinyl, chloroallyl and the like.

The term "alkynyl" as used herein (and in the alkynyl moieties in alkynyloxy and the like) refers to straight-chain or branched hydrocarbon groups having 2 to 3 ("C2-C3- alkynyl"), 2 to 4 ("C ₂ -C ₄ -alkynyl"), 2 to 6 ("C ₂ -C ₆ -alkynyl") or 2 to 8 ("C ₂ -C ₈ -alkynyl") car- bon atoms and a triple bond in any position, for example C2-C3-alkynyl, such as ethynyl, 1 -propynyl or 2-propynyl; C2-C ₄ -alkynyl, such as ethynyl, 1 -propynyl, 2- propynyl, 1 -butynyl, 2-butynyl, 3-butynyl, 1 -methyl-2-propynyl and the like, C2-C6- alkynyl, such as ethynyl, 1 -propynyl, 2-propynyl, 1-butynyl, 2-butynyl, 3-butynyl, 1 - methyl-2-propynyl, 1 -pentynyl, 2-pentynyl, 3-pentynyl, 4-pentynyl, 1 -methyl-2-butynyl, 1 -methyl-3-butynyl, 2-methyl-3-butynyl, 3-methyl-1-butynyl, 1 ,1 -dimethyl-2-propynyl, 1 - ethyl-2-propynyl, 1 -hexynyl, 2-hexynyl, 3-hexynyl, 4-hexynyl, 5-hexynyl, 1 -methyl-2 - pentynyl, 1 -methyl-3-pentynyl, 1 -methyl-4-pentynyl, 2-methyl-3-pentynyl, 2-methyl-4- pentynyl, 3-methyl-1 -pentynyl, 3-methyl-4-pentynyl, 4-methyl-1 -pentynyl, 4-methyl-2- pentynyl, 1 ,1 -dimethyl-2-butynyl, 1 ,1 -dimethyl-3-butynyl, 1 ,2-dimethyl-3-butynyl, 2,2- dimethyl-3-butynyl, 3,3-dimethyl-1 -butynyl, 1 -ethyl-2-butynyl, 1 -ethyl-3-butynyl, 2-ethyl- 3-butynyl, 1 -ethyl-1 -methyl-2-propynyl and the like;

The term "haloalkynyl" as used herein (and in the haloalkynyl moieties in haloal- kynyloxy and the like), which is also expressed as "alkynyl which is partially or fully halogenated", refers to unsaturated straight-chain or branched hydrocarbon radicals having 2 to 3 ("C ₂ -C ₃ -haloalkynyl"), 2 to 4 ("C ₂ -C ₄ -haloalkynyl"), 3 to 4 ("C ₃ -C ₄ - haloalkynyl"), 2 to 6 ("C ₂ -C ₆ -haloalkynyl"), 3 to 6 ("C ₃ -C ₆ -haloalkynyl"), 2 to 8 ("C ₂ -C ₈ - haloalkynyl") or 3 to 8 ("C ₃ -C ₈ -haloalkynyl") carbon atoms and a triple bond in any posi- tion (as mentioned above), where some or all of the hydrogen atoms in these groups are replaced by halogen atoms as mentioned above, in particular fluorine, chlorine and bromine.

The term "cycloalkyl" as used herein refers to mono- or bi- or polycyclic saturated hydrocarbon radicals having 3 to 10 ("C ₃ -Cio-cycloalkyl"), in particular 3 to 7 ("C ₃ -C ₇ - cycloalkyl") or 3 to 6 ("C ₃ -C ₆ -cycloalkyl") carbon atoms. Examples of monocyclic radi- cals having 3 to 6 carbon atoms comprise cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and cy- clohexyl. Examples of monocyclic radicals having 3 to 7 carbon atoms comprise cyclo- propyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl. Examples of monocyclic radicals having 3 to 10 carbon atoms comprise cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, cyclononyl and cyclodecyl. Cs-Ce-Cycloalkyl is cy- clopentyl or cyclohexyl. Examples of bicyclic radicals having 7 or 8 carbon atoms corn- prise bicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl, bicyclo[3.1 .1 ]heptyl, bicyclo[2.2.2]octyl and bicy- clo[3.2.1]octyl. Preferably, the term cycloalkyl denotes a monocyclic saturated hydro- carbon radical. When cycloalkyl is fused to a benzene ring, the cycloalkyl ring is mono- cyclic, of course resulting together with the fused benzene ring in a bicyclic fused ring system. C3-C6-cycloalkyl fused to a benzene ring is preferably Cs-Ce-cycloalkyl fused to a benzene ring. Examples for Cs-Ce-cycloalkyl fused to a benzene ring are indanyl and tetralinyl.

The term "halocycloalkyl" as used herein, which is also expressed as "cycloalkyl which is partially or fully halogenated", refers to mono- or bi- or polycyclic saturated hydrocarbon groups having 3 to 7 ("C3-C7-halocycloalkyl") or preferably 3 to 6 ("C3-C6- halocycloalkyl") carbon ring members (as mentioned above) in which some or all of the hydrogen atoms are replaced by halogen atoms as mentioned above, in particular fluo- rine, chlorine and bromine. Examples are 1 - and 2-fluorocyclopropyl, 1 ,2-, 2,2- and 2,3- difluorocyclopropyl, 1 ,2,2-trifluorocyclopropyl, 2,2,3,3-tetrafluorocyclpropyl, 1 - and 2- chlorocyclopropyl, 1 ,2-, 2,2- and 2,3-dichlorocyclopropyl, 1 ,2,2-trichlorocyclopropyl, 2,2,3,3-tetrachlorocyclpropyl, 1 -,2- and 3-fluorocyclopentyl, 1 ,2-, 2,2-, 2,3-, 3,3-, 3,4-, 2,5-difluorocyclopentyl, 1 -,2- and 3-chlorocyclopentyl, 1 ,2-, 2,2-, 2,3-, 3,3-, 3,4-, 2,5- dichlorocyclopentyl and the like.

The term "cycloalkyl-alkyl" used herein denotes a cycloalkyl group, as defined above, which is bound to the remainder of the molecule via an alkyl group (or inversely expressed, it denotes an alkyl group, as described above, in which one hydrogen atom is replaced by a cycloalkyl group, as defined above). The term "C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl-Ci-C ₄ - alkyl" refers to a C3-C7-cycloalkyl group as defined above (preferably a monocyclic cy- cloalkyl group) which is bound to the remainder of the molecule via a Ci-C ₄ -alkyl group, as defined above. Examples are cyclopropylmethyl, cyclopropylethyl, cyclopropylpro- pyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclobutylethyl, cyclobutylpropyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclopen- tylethyl, cyclopentylpropyl, cyclohexyl methyl, cyclohexylethyl, cyclohexylpropyl, cyclo- heptylmethyl, cycloheptylethyl, cycloheptylpropyl and the like. The term "C3-C6- cycloalkyl-Ci-C ₆ -alkyl" refers to a C3-C6-cycloalkyl group as defined above (preferably a monocyclic cycloalkyl group) which is bound to the remainder of the molecule via a C1- C ₆ -alkyl group, as defined above. Examples are cyclopropylmethyl, cyclopropylethyl, cyclopropyl propyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclobutylethyl, cyclobutylpropyl, cyclopentylme- thyl, cyclopentylethyl, cyclopentylpropyl, cyclohexylmethyl, cyclohexylethyl, cyclohex- ylpropyl and the like.

The term "cycloalkenyl" used herein denotes a monocyclic partially unsaturated, non-aromatic hydrocarbon radical. Examples for C3-C6-cycloalkenyl are cycloprop-1 - en-1-yl, cycloprop-1 -en-3-yl, cyclobut-1-en-1-yl, cyclobut-1-en-3-yl, cyclooct-1-en-1-yl, cyclopent-1-en-1-yl, cyclopent-1-en-3-yl, cyclopent-1-en-4-yl, cyclopenta-1 ,3-dien-1-yl, cyclopenta-1 ,3-dien-2-yl, cyclopenta-1 ,3-dien-5-yl, cyclohex-1 -en-1-yl, cyclohex-1 -en-3- yl, cyclohex-1 -en-4-yl, cyclohexa-1 ,3-dien-1-yl, cyclohexa-1 ,3-dien-2-yl, cyclohexa-1 ,3- dien-5-yl, cyclohexa-1 ,4-dien-1-yl and cyclohexa-1 ,4-dien-3-yl.

The term "alkoxy" denotes an alkyl group, as defined above, attached via an oxy- gen atom to the remainder of the molecule. Ci-C2-Alkoxy is methoxy or ethoxy. C1-C3- Alkoxy is additionally, for example, n-propoxy and 1-methylethoxy (isopropoxy). C1-C4- Alkoxy is additionally, for example, butoxy, 1-methylpropoxy (sec-butoxy), 2- methylpropoxy (isobutoxy) or 1 ,1-dimethylethoxy (tert-butoxy). Ci-C ₆ -Alkoxy is addi- tionally, for example, pentoxy, 1-methylbutoxy, 2-methylbutoxy, 3-methylbutoxy, 1 ,1- dimethylpropoxy, 1 ,2-dimethylpropoxy, 2,2-dimethylpropoxy, 1-ethylpropoxy, hexoxy, 1-methylpentoxy, 2-methylpentoxy, 3-methylpentoxy, 4-methylpentoxy, 1 ,1- dimethylbutoxy, 1 ,2-dimethylbutoxy, 1 ,3-dimethylbutoxy, 2,2-dimethylbutoxy, 2,3- dimethylbutoxy, 3,3-dimethylbutoxy, 1-ethylbutoxy, 2-ethyl butoxy, 1 , 1 ,2- trim ethyl p ropoxy , 1 ,2,2-trimethylpropoxy, 1 -ethyl-1 -methylpropoxy or 1 -ethyl-2- methylpropoxy. Ci-Cs-Alkoxy is additionally, for example, heptyloxy, octyloxy, 2- ethylhexyloxy and positional isomers thereof.

The term "haloalkoxy" denotes a haloalkyl group, as defined above, attached via an oxygen atom to remainder of the molecule. Ci-C2-Haloalkoxy is, for example, OCH2F, OCHF2, OCF3, OCH2CI, OCHC , OCCI3, chlorofluoromethoxy, dichlorofluoro- methoxy, chlorodifluoromethoxy, 2-fluoroethoxy, 2-chloroethoxy, 2-bromoethoxy, 2- iodoethoxy, 2,2-difluoroethoxy, 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy, 2-chloro-2-fluoroethoxy, 2-chloro- 2,2-difluoroethoxy, 2,2-dichloro-2-fluoroethoxy, 2,2,2-trichloroethoxy or OC2F5. C1-C3- Haloalkoxy is additionally, for example, 2-fluoropropoxy, 3-fluoropropoxy, 2,2- difluoropropoxy, 2,3-difluoropropoxy, 2-chloropropoxy, 3-chloropropoxy, 2,3- dichloropropoxy, 2-bromopropoxy, 3-bromopropoxy, 3,3,3-trifluoropropoxy, 3,3,3- trichloropropoxy, OCH2-C2F5, OCF2-C2F5, 1-(CH ₂ F)-2-fluoroethoxy, 1-(CH ₂ CI)-2- chloroethoxy or 1-(CH ₂ Br)-2-bromoethoxy. Ci-C4-Haloalkoxy is additionally, for exam- pie, 4-fluorobutoxy, 4-chlorobutoxy, 4-bromobutoxy or nonafluorobutoxy. C1-C6- Haloalkoxy is additionally, for example, 5-fluoropentoxy, 5-chloropentoxy, 5- brompentoxy, 5-iodopentoxy, undecafluoropentoxy, 6-fluorohexoxy, 6-chlorohexoxy, 6- bromohexoxy, 6-iodohexoxy or dodecafluorohexoxy.

The term "alkenyloxy" denotes an alkenyl group, as defined above, attached via an oxygen atom to the remainder of the molecule. C ₂ -C ₆ -Alkenyloxy is a C ₂ -C ₆ -alkenyl group, as defined above, attached via an oxygen atom to the remainder of the mole- cule. C2-C8-Alkenyloxy is a C2-Cs-alkenyl group, as defined above, attached via an ox ygen atom to the remainder of the molecule.

The term "haloalkenyloxy" denotes a haloalkenyl group, as defined above, at- tached via an oxygen atom to the remainder of the molecule. C2-C6-Haloalkenyloxy is a C2-C6-haloalkenyl group, as defined above, attached via an oxygen atom to the re- mainder of the molecule. C2-C8-Haloalkenyloxy is a C2-Cs-haloalkenyl group, as de- fined above, attached via an oxygen atom to the remainder of the molecule.

The term "alkynyloxy" denotes an alkynyl group, as defined above, attached via an oxygen atom to the remainder of the molecule. C2-C6-Alkynyloxy is a C2-C6-alkynyl group, as defined above, attached via an oxygen atom to the remainder of the mole- cule. C2-Cs-Alkynyloxy is a C2-Cs-alkynyl group, as defined above, attached via an ox- ygen atom to the remainder of the molecule.

The term "haloalkynyloxy" denotes a haloalkynyl group, as defined above, at- tached via an oxygen atom to the remainder of the molecule. C2-C6-Haloalkynyloxy is a C2-C6-haloalkynyl group, as defined above, attached via an oxygen atom to the re- mainder of the molecule. C2-C8-Haloalkynyloxy is a C2-Cs-haloalkynyl group, as defined above, attached via an oxygen atom to the remainder of the molecule. C ₃ -Cs- Haloalkynyloxy is a C ₃ -C ₈ -haloalkynyl group, as defined above, attached via an oxygen atom to the remainder of the molecule.

The term "alkoxy-alkyl" as used herein, refers to a straight-chain or branched alkyl group, as defined above, where one hydrogen atom is replaced by an alkoxy group, as defined above. The term "Ci-C4-alkoxy-Ci-C4-alkyl" as used herein, refers to a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, as defined above, where one hydrogen atom is replaced by a Ci-C4-alkoxy group, as defined above. The term "Ci-C ₆ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₆ -alkyl" as used herein, refers to a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, as defined above, where one hydrogen atom is replaced by a Ci-C ₆ -alkoxy group, as defined above. Examples are methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, propoxymethyl, isopropoxymethyl, n-butoxymethyl, sec-butoxymethyl, isobutoxymethyl, tert-butoxymethyl, 1 -methoxyethyl, 1 -ethoxyethyl, 1 -propoxyethyl, 1 - isopropoxyethyl, 1 -n-butoxyethyl, 1 -sec-butoxyethyl, 1 -isobutoxyethyl, 1 -tert- butoxyethyl, 2-methoxyethyl, 2-ethoxyethyl, 2-propoxyethyl, 2-isopropoxyethyl, 2-n- butoxyethyl, 2-sec-butoxyethyl, 2-isobutoxyethyl, 2-tert-butoxyethyl, 1 -methoxypropyl,

1 -ethoxypropyl, 1 -propoxypropyl, 1 -isopropoxypropyl, 1 -n-butoxypropyl, 1 -sec- butoxypropyl, 1 -isobutoxypropyl, 1 -tert-butoxypropyl, 2-methoxypropyl, 2-ethoxypropyl,

2-propoxypropyl, 2-isopropoxypropyl, 2-n-butoxypropyl, 2-sec-butoxypropyl, 2- isobutoxypropyl, 2-tert-butoxypropyl, 3-methoxypropyl, 3-ethoxypropyl, 3- propoxypropyl, 3-isopropoxypropyl, 3-n-butoxypropyl, 3-sec-butoxypropyl, 3- isobutoxypropyl, 3-tert-butoxypropyl and the like. The term "haloalkoxy-alkyl" denotes a straight-chain or branched alkyl group, wherein one of the hydrogen atoms is replaced by an alkoxy group and wherein at least one, e.g. 1 , 2, 3, 4 or all of the remaining hydrogen atoms (either in the alkoxy moiety or in the alkyl moiety or in both) are replaced by halogen atoms. C1-C4- Haloalkoxy-Ci-C4-alkyl is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, wherein one of the hydrogen atoms is replaced by a Ci-C4-alkoxy group and wherein at least one, e.g. 1 , 2, 3, 4 or all of the remaining hydrogen atoms (either in the alkoxy moiety or in the alkyl moiety or in both) are replaced by halogen atoms. Examples are difluoromethoxymethyl (CHF2OCH2), trifluoromethoxymethyl, 1- difluoromethoxyethyl, 1-trifluoromethoxyethyl, 2-difluoromethoxyethyl, 2- trifluoromethoxyethyl, difluoro-methoxy-methyl (CH3OCF2), 1 ,1-difluoro-2-methoxyethyl, 2,2-difluoro-2-methoxyethyl and the like.

The term "alkoxy-alkoxy" as used herein, refers to an alkoxy group, as defined above, where one hydrogen atom is replaced by another alkoxy group, as defined above. The term "Ci-C4-alkoxy-Ci-C4-alkoxy" as used herein, refers to an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, as defined above, where one hydrogen atom is replaced by a Ci-C4-alkoxy group, as defined above. Examples are methoxymethoxy, ethox- ymethoxy, propoxymethoxy, isopropoxymethoxy, n-butoxymethoxy, sec- butoxymethoxy, isobutoxymethoxy, tert-butoxymethoxy, 1 -methoxyethoxy, 1 - ethoxyethoxy, 1 -propoxyethoxy, 1-isopropoxyethoxy, 1 -n-butoxyethoxy, 1-sec- butoxyethoxy, 1 -isobutoxyethoxy, 1 -tert-butoxyethoxy, 2-methoxyethoxy, 2- ethoxyethoxy, 2-propoxyethoxy, 2-isopropoxyethoxy, 2-n-butoxyethoxy, 2-sec- butoxyethoxy, 2-isobutoxyethoxy, 2-tert-butoxyethoxy, 1 -methoxypropoxy, 1 - ethoxypropoxy, 1 -propoxypropoxy, 1-isopropoxypropoxy, 1 -n-butoxypropoxy, 1-sec- butoxypropoxy, 1 -isobutoxypropoxy, 1 -tert-butoxypropoxy, 2-methoxypropoxy, 2- ethoxypropoxy, 2-propoxypropoxy, 2-isopropoxypropoxy, 2-n-butoxypropoxy, 2-sec- butoxypropoxy, 2-isobutoxypropoxy, 2-tert-butoxypropoxy, 3-methoxypropoxy, 3- ethoxypropoxy, 3-propoxypropoxy, 3-isopropoxypropoxy, 3-n-butoxypropoxy, 3-sec- butoxypropoxy, 3-isobutoxypropoxy, 3-tert-butoxypropoxy and the like.

The term "haloalkoxy-alkoxy" denotes an alkoxy group, wherein one of the hy- drogen atoms is replaced by an alkoxy group and wherein at least one, e.g. 1 , 2, 3, 4 or all of the remaining hydrogen atoms (either in one or in both alkoxy moieties) are re- placed by halogen atoms. Ci-C4-Haloalkoxy-Ci-C4-alkoxy is a Ci-C4-alkoxy group, wherein one of the hydrogen atoms is replaced by a Ci-C4-alkoxy group and wherein at least one, e.g. 1 , 2, 3, 4 or all of the remaining hydrogen atoms (either in one or in both alkoxy moieties) are replaced by halogen atoms. Examples are difluoromethoxymeth- oxy (CHF2OCH2), trifluoromethoxymethoxy, 1-difluoromethoxyethoxy, 1- trifluoromethoxyethoxy, 2-difluoromethoxyethoxy, 2-trifluoromethoxyethoxy, difluoro- methoxy-methoxy (CH ₃ OCF2), 1 ,1 -difluoro-2-methoxyethoxy, 2,2-difluoro-2- methoxyethoxy and the like.

"Cycloalkoxy" denotes a cycloalkyl group, as defined above, bound to the re- mainder of the molecule via an oxygen atom. Examples of C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkoxy comprise cyclopropoxy, cyclobutoxy, cyclopentoxy, cyclohexoxy and cycloheptoxy. Examples of C ₃ -Cio-cycloalkoxy comprise cyclopropoxy, cyclobutoxy, cyclopentoxy, cyclohexoxy, cycloheptoxy, cyclooctoxy, cyclononoxy and cyclodecoxy.

The term "cycloalkyl-alkoxy" as used herein, refers to an alkoxy group, as defined above, where one hydrogen atom is replaced by a cycloalkyl group, as defined above. The term "C ₃ -Cio-cycloalkyl-Ci-C ₂ -alkoxy" as used herein, refers to an alkoxy group having 1 or 2 carbon atoms, as defined above, where one hydrogen atom is replaced by a C ₃ -Cio-cycloalkyl group, as defined above. Examples are cyclpropylmethoxy, cy- clopropylethoxy, cyclobutyl methoxy, cyclobutylethoxy, cyclopentylmethoxy, cyclopen- tylethoxy, cyclohexylmethoxy, cyclohexylethoxy, cycloheptylmethoxy, cycloheptyleth- oxy, cyclooctylmethoxy, cyclooctylethoxy, cyclononylmethoxy, cyclononylethoxy, cy- clodecylmethoxy and cyclodecylethoxy.

The term "cycloalkyl-alkoxy-alkyl" as used herein, refers to an alkyl group, as defined above, wherein one hydrogen atom is replaced by an alkoxy group, as defined above, where in turn in the alkoxy group one hydrogen atom is replaced by a cycloalkyl group, as defined above. The term "C3-C6-cycloalkyl-Ci-C6-alkoxy-Ci-C6-alkyl" as used herein, refers to an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, as defined above, where one hydrogen atom is replaced by a Ci-C ₆ -alkoxy group, as defined above, where in this alkoxy group, in turn, one hydrogen atom is replaced by a C3-C6-cycloalkyl group, as defined above.

The term "alkylthio" (also alkylsulfanyl, "alkyl-S" or "alkyl-S(0) _k " (wherein k is 0)) as used herein denotes an alkyl group, as defined above, attached via a sulfur atom to the remainder of the molecule. Ci-C2-Alkylthio is methylthio or ethylthio. Ci-C3-Alkylthio is additionally, for example, n-propylthio or 1 -methylethylthio (isopropylthio). C1-C4- Alkylthio is additionally, for example, butylthio, 1 -methylpropylthio (sec-butylthio), 2- methylpropylthio (isobutylthio) or 1 ,1 -dimethylethylthio (tert-butylthio). Ci-C ₆ -Alkylthio is additionally, for example, pentylthio, 1 -methylbutylthio, 2-methylbutylthio, 3- methylbutylthio, 1 ,1 -dimethylpropylthio, 1 ,2-dimethylpropylthio, 2,2-dimethylpropylthio, 1 -ethylpropylthio, hexylthio, 1 -methylpentylthio, 2-methylpentylthio, 3-methylpentylthio, 4-methylpentylthio, 1 , 1 -dimethylbutylthio, 1 ,2-dimethylbutylthio, 1 ,3-dimethylbutylthio, 2,2-dimethylbutylthio, 2,3-dimethylbutylthio, 3,3-dimethylbutylthio, 1 -ethylbutylthio, 2- ethylbutylthio, 1 ,1 ,2-trimethylpropylthio, 1 ,2,2-trimethylpropylthio, 1 -ethyl-1 - methylpropylthio or 1 -ethyl-2-methylpropylthio. C-i-Cs-Alkylthio is additionally, for exam- pie, heptylthio, octylthio, 2-ethylhexylthio and positional isomers thereof. C1-C10- Alkylthio is additionally, for example, nonylthio, decylthio and positional isomers there- of.

The term "haloalkylthio" (also haloalkylsulfanyl, "haloalkyl-S" or "haloaikyl-S(0) _k " (wherein k is 0)) as used herein denotes a haloalkyl group, as defined above, attached via a sulfur atom to the remainder of the molecule. . Ci-C2-Haloalkylthio is, for example, SChhF, SCHF2, SCF3, SCH2CI, SCHCI2, SCCI3, chlorofluoromethylthio, dichlorofluoro- methylthio, chlorodifluoromethylthio, 2-fluoroethylthio, 2-chloroethylthio,

2-bromoethylthio, 2-iodoethylthio, 2,2-difluoroethylthio, 2,2,2-trifluoroethylthio, 2-chloro- 2-fluoroethylthio, 2-chloro-2,2-difluoroethylthio, 2,2-dichloro-2-fluoroethylthio,

2,2,2-trichloroethylthio or SC2F5. Ci-C3-Haloalkylthio is additionally, for example, 2-fluoropropylthio, 3-fluoropropylthio, 2,2-difluoropropylthio, 2,3-difluoropropylthio,

2-chloropropylthio, 3-chloropropylthio, 2,3-dichloropropylthio, 2-bromopropylthio,

3-bromopropylthio, 3,3,3-trifluoropropylthio, 3,3,3-trichloropropylthio, SCH2-C2F5, SCF2- C ₂ F ₅ , 1-(CH ₂ F)-2-fluoroethylthio, 1-(CH ₂ CI)-2-chloroethylthio or 1-(CH ₂ Br)-2- bromoethylthio. Ci-C4-Haloalkylthio is additionally, for example, 4-fluorobutylthio, 4- chlorobutylthio, 4-bromobutylthio or nonafluorobutylthio. Ci-C ₆ -Haloalkylthio is addi- tionally, for example, 5-fluoropentylthio, 5-chloropentylthio, 5-brompentylthio,

5-iodopentylthio, undecafluoropentylthio, 6-fluorohexylthio, 6-chlorohexylthio, 6- bromohexylthio, 6-iodohexylthio or dodecafluorohexylthio.

The term "alkylsulfonyl" denotes an alkyl group, as defined above, attached via a sulfonyl [S(0) ₂ ] group to the remainder of the molecule. Ci-C2-Alkylsulfonyl is methyl- sulfonyl or ethylsulfonyl. Ci-C3-Alkylsulfonyl is additionally, for example, n- propylsulfonyl or 1-methylethylsulfonyl (isopropylsulfonyl). Ci-C4-Alkylsulfonyl is addi- tionally, for example, butylsulfonyl, 1-methylpropylsulfonyl (sec-butylsulfonyl), 2- methylpropylsulfonyl (isobutylsulfonyl) or 1 ,1-dimethylethylsulfonyl (tert-butylsulfonyl). Ci-C ₆ -Alkylsulfonyl is additionally, for example, pentylsulfonyl, 1-methylbutylsulfonyl, 2-methylbutylsulfonyl, 3-methylbutylsulfonyl, 1 ,1-dimethylpropylsulfonyl, 1 ,2- dimethylpropylsulfonyl, 2,2-dimethylpropylsulfonyl, 1-ethylpropylsulfonyl, hexylsulfonyl, 1-methylpentylsulfonyl, 2-methylpentylsulfonyl, 3-methylpentylsulfonyl, 4- methylpentylsulfonyl, 1 ,1 -dimethylbutylsulfonyl, 1 ,2-dimethylbutylsulfonyl,

1.3-dimethylbutylsulfonyl, 2,2-dimethylbutylsulfonyl, 2,3-dimethylbutylsulfonyl,

3.3-dimethylbutylsulfonyl, 1-ethylbutylsulfonyl, 2-ethylbutylsulfonyl, 1 ,1 ,2- trimethylpropylsulfonyl, 1 ,2,2-trimethylpropylsulfonyl, 1 -ethyl-1 -methylpropylsulfonyl or 1-ethyl-2-methylpropylsulfonyl. C-i-Cs-Alkylsulfonyl is additionally, for example, hep- tylsulfonyl, octylsulfonyl, 2-ethylhexylsulfonyl and positional isomers thereof. C1-C10- Alkylsulfonyl is additionally, for example, nonylsulfonyl, decylsulfonyl and positional isomers thereof.

The term "haloalkylsulfonyl" denotes a haloalkyl group, as defined above, at- tached via a sulfonyl [S(0) ₂ ] group to the remainder of the molecule. C1-C2- Haloalkylsulfonyl is, for example, S(0) ₂ CH ₂ F, S(0) ₂ CHF ₂ , S(0) ₂ CF ₃ , S(0) ₂ CH ₂ CI, S(0)2CHCl2, S(0)2CCl3, chlorofluoromethylsulfonyl, dichlorofluoromethylsulfonyl, chlo- rodifluoromethylsulfonyl, 2-fluoroethylsulfonyl, 2-chloroethylsulfonyl,

2-bromoethylsulfonyl, 2-iodoethylsulfonyl, 2,2-difluoroethylsulfonyl, 2,2,2- trifluoroethylsulfonyl, 2-chloro-2-fluoroethylsulfonyl, 2-chloro-2,2-difluoroethylsulfonyl, 2,2-dichloro-2-fluoroethylsulfonyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethylsulfonyl or S(0) ₂ C ₂ F ₅ . C1-C3- Haloalkylsulfonyl is additionally, for example, 2-fluoropropylsulfonyl, 3- fluoropropylsulfonyl, 2,2-difluoropropylsulfonyl, 2,3-difluoropropylsulfonyl,

2-chloropropylsulfonyl, 3-chloropropylsulfonyl, 2,3-dichloropropylsulfonyl, 2- bromopropylsulfonyl, 3-bromopropylsulfonyl, 3,3,3-trifluoropropylsulfonyl, 3,3,3- trichloropropylsulfonyl, S(0) ₂ CH ₂ -C ₂ F ₅ , S(0) ₂ CF ₂ -C ₂ F ₅ , 1 -(CH ₂ F)-2-fluoroethylsulfonyl, 1 -(CH ₂ CI)-2-chloroethylsulfonylor 1 -(CH ₂ Br)-2-bromoethylsulfonyl. C1-C4- Haloalkylsulfonyl is additionally, for example, 4-fluorobutylsulfonyl, 4- chlorobutylsulfonyl, 4-bromobutylsulfonyl or nonafluorobutylsulfonyl. C1-C6- Haloalkylsulfonyl is additionally, for example, 5-fluoropentylsulfonyl, 5- chloropentylsulfonyl, 5-brompentylsulfonyl, 5-iodopentylsulfonyl, undecafluoropen- tylsulfonyl, 6-fluorohexylsulfonyl, 6-chlorohexylsulfonyl, 6-bromohexylsulfonyl, 6- iodohexylsulfonyl or dodecafluorohexylsulfonyl.

The term "alkylthio-alkyl" as used herein, refers to a straight-chain or branched alkyl group, as defined above, where one hydrogen atom is replaced by an alkylthio group, as defined above. The term "Ci-C4-alkylthio-Ci-C4-alkyl" as used herein, refers to a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, as defined above, where one hydrogen atom is replaced by a Ci-C4-alkylthio group, as defined above. Examples are methylthiomethyl, ethylthiomethyl, propylthiomethyl, isopropylthi- omethyl, n-butylthiomethyl, sec-butylthiomethyl, isobutylthiomethyl, tert-butylthiomethyl, 1 -methylthioethyl, 1 -ethylthioethyl, 1 -propylthioethyl, 1 -isopropylthioethyl, 1 -n- butylthioethyl, 1 -sec-butylthioethyl, 1 -isobutylthioethyl, 1 -tert-butylthioethyl, 2- methylthioethyl, 2-ethylthioethyl, 2-propylthioethyl, 2-isopropylthioethyl, 2-n- butylthioethyl, 2-sec-butylthioethyl, 2-isobutylthioethyl, 2-tert-butylthioethyl, 1 - methylthiopropyl, 1 -ethylthiopropyl, 1 -propylthiopropyl, 1 -isopropylthiopropyl, 1 -n- butylthiopropyl, 1 -sec-butylthiopropyl, 1 -isobutylthiopropyl, 1 -tert-butylthiopropyl, 2- methylthiopropyl, 2-ethylthiopropyl, 2-propylthiopropyl, 2-isopropylthiopropyl, 2-n- butylthiopropyl, 2-sec-butylthiopropyl, 2-isobutylthiopropyl, 2-tert-butylthiopropyl, 3- methylthiopropyl, 3-ethylthiopropyl, 3-propylthiopropyl, 3-isopropylthiopropyl, 3-n- butylthiopropyl, 3-sec-butylthiopropyl, 3-isobutylthiopropyl, 3-tert-butylthiopropyl and the like.

The term "alkylthio-alkylthio" as used herein, refers to an alkylthio group, as de- fined above, where one hydrogen atom is replaced by an alkylthio group, as defined above. The term "Ci-C4-alkylthio-Ci-C4-alkylthio" as used herein, refers to an alkylthio group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, as defined above, where one hydrogen atom is re- placed by a Ci-C4-alkylthio group, as defined above. Examples are methylthiomethyl- thio, ethylthiomethylthio, propylthiomethylthio, isopropylthiomethylthio, n- butylthiomethylthio, sec-butylthiomethylthio, isobutylthiomethylthio, tert- butylthiomethylthio, 1-methylthioethylthio, 1-ethylthioethylthio, 1-propylthioethylthio, 1- isopropylthioethylthio, 1-n-butylthioethylthio, 1-sec-butylthioethylthio, 1- isobutylthioethylthio, 1-tert-butylthioethylthio, 2-methylthioethylthio, 2-ethylthioethylthio,

2-propylthioethylthio, 2-isopropylthioethylthio, 2-n-butylthioethylthio, 2-sec- butylthioethylthio, 2-isobutylthioethylthio, 2-tert-butylthioethylthio, 1- methylthiopropylthio, 1-ethylthiopropylthio, 1-propylthiopropylthio, 1- isopropylthiopropylthio, 1-n-butylthiopropylthio, 1-sec-butylthiopropylthio, 1- isobutylthiopropylthio, 1-tert-butylthiopropylthio, 2-methylthiopropylthio, 2- ethylthiopropylthio, 2-propylthiopropylthio, 2-isopropylthiopropylthio, 2-n- butylthiopropylthio, 2-sec-butylthiopropylthio, 2-isobutylthiopropylthio, 2-tert- butylthiopropylthio, 3-methylthiopropylthio, 3-ethylthiopropylthio, 3-propylthiopropylthio,

3-isopropylthiopropylthio, 3-n-butylthiopropylthio, 3-sec-butylthiopropylthio, 3- isobutylthiopropylthio, 3-tert-butylthiopropylthio and the like.

The substituent "oxo" replaces a Chh group by a C(=0) group.

The term "alkylcarbonyl" denotes an alkyl group, as defined above, attached via a carbonyl [C(=0)] group to the remainder of the molecule. Ci-C3-Alkylcarbonyl is a Ci- C3-alkyl group, as defined above, attached via a carbonyl [C(=0)] group to the remain- der of the molecule. Ci-C4-Alkylcarbonyl is a Ci-C4-alkyl group, as defined above, at- tached via a carbonyl [C(=0)] group to the remainder of the molecule. Examples for Ci- C3-alkylcarbonyl are acetyl (methylcarbonyl), propionyl (ethylcarbonyl), propylcarbonyl and isopropylcarbonyl. Examples for Ci-C4-alkylcarbonyl are acetyl (methylcarbonyl), propionyl (ethylcarbonyl), propylcarbonyl, isopropylcarbonyl n-butylcarbonyl and the like.

The term "C-i-C3-alkylamino" denotes a group -N(H)Ci-C3-alkyl. The term "C1-C4- alkylamino" denotes a group -N(H)Ci-C4-alkyl. Examples for Ci-C3-alkylamino are me- thylamino, ethylamino, propylamino and isopropylamino and the like. Examples for C1- C4-alkylamino are methylamino, ethylamino, propylamino, isopropylamino, butylamino and the like.

The term "di-(Ci-C3-alkyl)-amino" denotes a group -N(Ci-C ₃ -alkyl) ₂ . The term "di- (Ci-C4-alkyl)amino" denotes a group -N(Ci-C ₄ -alkyl) ₂ . Examples are dimethylamino, diethylamino, ethylmethylamino, dipropylamino, diisopropylamino, methylpropylamino, methylisopropylamino, ethylpropylamino, ethylisopropylamino and the like. Examples for di-(Ci-C4-alkyl)amino are, in addition to those listed for di-(Ci-C3-alkyl)amino, n- butyl-methylamino, n-butyl-ethylamino, n-butyl-propylamino, di-n-butylamino, 2-butyl- methylamino, 2-butyl-ethylamino, 2-butyl-propylamino, isobutyl-methylamino, ethyl- isobutylamino, isobutyl-propylamino, tert-butyl-methylamino, tert-butyl-ethylamino, tert- butyl-propylamino and the like.

The term "alkylamino-alkyl" denotes an alkyl group, as defined above, wherein one hydrogen atom is replaced by an alkylamino group, as defined above. C1-C4- alkylamino-Ci-C4-alkyl is a Ci-C4-alkyl group, as defined above, wherein one hydrogen atom is replaced by a Ci-C4-alkylamino group, as defined above. Examples are me- thylaminomethyl, 1-(methylamino)-ethyl, 2-(methylamino)-ethyl, l-(methylamino)- propyl, 2-(methylamino)-propyl, 3-(methylamino)-propyl, 1-(methylamino)-prop-2-yl, 2- (methylamino)-prop-2-yl, 1-(methylamino)-butyl, 2-(methylamino)-butyl, 3- (methylamino)-butyl, 4-(methylamino)-butyl, ethylaminomethyl, 1-(ethylamino)-ethyl, 2- (ethylamino)-ethyl, 1-(ethylamino)-propyl, 2-(ethylamino)-propyl, 3-(ethylamino)-propyl, 1-(ethylamino)-prop-2-yl, 2-(ethylamino)-prop-2-yl, 1-(ethylamino)-butyl, 2-(ethylamino)- butyl, 3-(ethylamino)-butyl, 4-(ethylamino)-butyl, propylaminomethyl, l-(propylamino)- ethyl, 2-(propylamino)-ethyl, 1-(propylamino)-propyl, 2-(propylamino)-propyl, 3- (propylamino)-propyl, 1-(propylamino)-prop-2-yl, 2-(propylamino)-prop-2-yl, 1- (propylamino)-butyl, 2-(propylamino)-butyl, 3-(propylamino)-butyl, 4-(propylamino)- butyl, butylaminomethyl, 1-(butylamino)-ethyl, 2-(butylamino)-ethyl, l-(butylamino)- propyl, 2-(butylamino)-propyl, 3-(butylamino)-propyl, 1-(butylamino)-prop-2-yl, 2- (butylamino)-prop-2-yl, 1-(butylamino)-butyl, 2-(butylamino)-butyl, 3-(butylamino)-butyl, 4-(butylamino)-butyl and the like.

The term "dialkylamino-alkyl" denotes an alkyl group, as defined above, wherein one hydrogen atom is replaced by a dialkylamino group, as defined above. Di-(Ci-C ₄ - alkyl)-amino-Ci-C4-alkyl is a Ci-C4-alkyl group, as defined above, wherein one hydro- gen atom is replaced by a di-(Ci-C4-alkyl)-amino group, as defined above. Examples are dimethylaminomethyl, 1-(dimethylamino)-ethyl, 2-(dimethylamino)-ethyl, 1- (dimethylamino)-propyl, 2-(dimethylamino)-propyl, 3-(dimethylamino)-propyl, 1- (dimethylamino)-butyl, 2-(dimethylamino)-butyl, 3-(dimethylamino)-butyl, 4- (dimethylamino)-butyl, (ethylmethylamino)-methyl, 1-(ethylmethylamino)-ethyl, 2- (ethylmethylamino)-ethyl, 1-(ethylmethylamino)-propyl, 2-(ethylmethylamino)-propyl, 3- (ethylmethylamino)-propyl, 1-(ethylmethylamino)-butyl, 2-(ethylmethylamino)-butyl, 3- (ethylmethylamino)-butyl, 4-(ethylmethylamino)-butyl, (diethylamino)-methyl,1- (diethylamino)-ethyl, 2-(diethylamino)-ethyl, 1-(diethylamino)-propyl, 2-(diethylamino)- propyl, 3-(diethylamino)-propyl, 1-(diethylamino)-butyl, 2-(diethylamino)-butyl, 3- (diethylamino)-butyl, 4-(diethylamino)-butyl, (dipropylamino)-methyl,1-(dipropylamino)- ethyl, 2-(dipropylamino)-ethyl, 1-(dipropylamino)-propyl, 2-(dipropylamino)-propyl, 3- (dipropylamino)-propyl, 1-(dipropylamino)-butyl, 2-(dipropylamino)-butyl, 3- (dipropylamino)-butyl, 4-(dipropylamino)-butyl, (dibutylamino)-methyl,1-(dibutylamino)- ethyl, 2-(dibutylamino)-ethyl, 1-(dibutylamino)-propyl, 2-(dibutylamino)-propyl, 3- (dibutylamino)-propyl, 1 -(dibutylamino)-butyl, 2-(dibutylamino)-butyl, 3-(dibutylamino)- butyl, 4-(dibutylamino)-butyl and the like.

Alkylene or alkanediyl is a linear or branched divalent alkyl radical. C1-C3- Alkylene or Ci-C3-alkanediyl is a linear or branched divalent alkyl radical having 1 , 2 or 3 carbon atoms. Examples are -CH2-, -CH2CH2-, -CH(CH3)-, -CH2CH2CH2-,

-CH(CH ₃ )CH ₂ -, -CH ₂ CH(CH ₃ )- and -C(CH ₃ ) ₂ -. Ci-C ₄ -Alkylene or Ci-C ₄ -alkanediyl is a linear or branched divalent alkyl radical having 1 , 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms. Examples are -CH2-, -CH2CH2-, -CH(CH ₃ )-, -CH2CH2CH2-, -CH(CH ₃ )CH ₂ -, -CH ₂ CH(CH ₃ )-, -C(CH ₃ ) ₂ -, -CH2CH2CH2CH2-, -CH(CH ₃ )CH ₂ CH ₂ -, -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH(CH ₃ )-, -C(CH ₃ ) ₂ CH ₂ -, and

-CH ₂ C(CH ₃ ) ₂ -.

Heterocyclic rings or heterocyclyl or heteroaromatic rings or heteroaryl or hetaryl contain one or more heteroatoms as ring members, i.e. atoms different from carbon. In the terms of the present invention, these heteroatoms are N, O and S, where N and S can also be present as oxidized heteroatom groups, namely as NO, SO or S0 ₂ . Thus, in the terms of the present invention, rings termed as heterocyclic rings or heterocyclyl or heteroaromatic rings or heteroaryl or hetaryl contain one or more heteroatoms and/or heteroatom groups selected from the group consisting of N, O, S, NO, SO and S0 ₂ as ring members.

If not specified otherwise, the heterocyclic rings or heterocyclyl may be saturated, partially unsaturated or maximally unsaturated.

Unsaturated rings contain at least one C-C and/or C-N and/or N-N double bond(s). Maximally unsaturated rings contain as many conjugated C-C and/or C-N and/or N-N double bonds as allowed by the ring size. Maximally unsaturated 5- or 6- membered heteromonocyclic rings are generally aromatic. Exceptions are maximally unsaturated 6-membered rings containing O, S, SO and/or S0 ₂ as ring members, such as pyran and thiopyran, which are not aromatic. Partially unsaturated rings contain less than the maximum number of C-C and/or C-N and/or N-N double bond(s) allowed by the ring size.

The heterocyclic rings or heterocyclyl or heteroaromatic rings or heteroaryl or hetaryl may be attached to the remainder of the molecule via a carbon ring member or via a nitrogen ring member. As a matter of course, the ring contains at least one carbon ring atom. If the ring contains more than one O ring atom, these are not adjacent.

Examples of a 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-membered monocyclic saturated heterocyclic ring containing 1 , 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, N, S, NO, S(O) and S(0) ₂ as ring members include: Oxiranyl, thiiranyl, aziridinyl, oxetanyl, thietanyl, 1 -oxothietanyl, 1 ,1 -dioxothietanyl, azetidinyl, tetrahydrofuran-2-yl, tetrahydro- furan-3-yl, tetrahydrothien-2-yl, tetrahydrothien-3-yl, 1 -oxo-tetrahydrothien-2-yl, 1 -oxo- tetrahydrothien-3-yl, 1 ,1 -dioxotetrahydrothien-2-yl, 1 ,1 -dioxotetrahydrothien-3-yl, pyrrol- idin-1 -yl, pyrrol i d i n-2-yl , pyrrol i d i n-3-y I , pyrazolidin-1 -yl, pyrazolidin-3-yl, pyrazolidin-4- yl, pyrazolidin-5-yl, imidazolidin-1 -yl, imidazolidin-2-yl, imidazolidin-4-yl, oxazolidin-2-yl, oxazolidin-3-yl, oxazolidin-4-yl, oxazolidin-5-yl, isoxazolidin-2-yl, isoxazolidin-3-yl, isox- azolidin-4-yl, isoxazolidin-5-yl, thiazolidin-2-yl, thiazolidin-3-yl, thiazolidin-4-yl, thiazoli- din-5-yl, isothiazolidin-2-yl, isothiazolidin-3-yl, isothiazolidin-4-yl, isothiazolidin-5-yl,

1 .2.4-oxadiazolidin-3-yl, 1 ,2,4-oxadiazolidin-5-yl, 1 ,2,4-thiadiazolidin-3-yl, 1 ,2,4- thiadiazolidin-5-yl, 1 ,2,4-triazolidin-3-yl, 1 ,3,4-oxadiazolidin-2-yl, 1 ,3,4-thiadiazolidin-2- yl, 1 ,3,4-triazolidin-1 -yl, 1 ,3,4-triazolidin-2-yl, 1 ,2,3,4-tetrazolidin-1 -yl, 1 , 2,3,4- tetrazo lid i n-2-y 1 , 1 ,2,3,4-tetrazolidin-5-yl, 2-tetrahydropyranyl, 4-tetrahydropyranyl, 1 ,3- dioxan-5-yl, 1 ,4-dioxan-2-yl, piperidin-1 -yl, piperidin-2-yl, piperidin-3-yl, piperidin-4-yl, hexahydropyridazin-3-yl, hexahydropyridazin-4-yl, hexahydropyrimidin-2-yl, hexahy- dropyrimidin-4-yl, hexahydropyrimidin-5-yl, piperazin-1 -yl, piperazin-2-yl,

1 .3.5-hexahydrotriazin-1 -yl, 1 ,3,5-hexahydrotriazin-2-yl and 1 ,2,4-hexahydrotriazin-3-yl, morpholin-2-yl, morpholin-3-yl, morpholin-4-yl, thiomorpholin-2-yl, thiomorpholin-3-yl, thiomorpholin-4-yl, 1 -oxothiomorpholin-2-yl, 1 -oxothiomorpholin-3-yl, 1 - oxothiomorpholin-4-yl, 1 ,1 -dioxothiomorpholin-2-yl, 1 ,1 -dioxothiomorpholin-3-yl, 1 ,1 - dioxothiomorpholin-4-yl, azepan-1 -, -2-, -3- or -4-yl, oxepan-2-, -3-, -4- or -5-yl, hexa- hydro-1 ,3-diazepinyl, hexahydro-1 ,4-diazepinyl, hexahydro-1 ,3-oxazepinyl, hexahydro-

1 .4-oxazepinyl, hexahydro-1 ,3-dioxepinyl, hexahydro-1 ,4-dioxepinyl and the like.

Examples of a 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-membered monocyclic partially unsaturated het- erocyclic ring containing 1 , 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, N and S as ring members include: 2,3-dihydrofur-2-yl, 2,3-dihydrofur-3-yl, 2,4- dihydrofur-2-yl, 2,4-dihydrofur-3-yl, 2,3-dihydrothien-2-yl, 2,3-dihydrothien-3-yl, 2,4- dihydrothien-2-yl, 2,4-dihydrothien-3-yl, 2-pyrrol in-2 -yl, 2-pyrrolin-3-yl, 3-pyrrolin-2-yl, 3- pyrrolin-3-yl, 2-isoxazolin-3-yl, 3-isoxazolin-3-yl, 4-isoxazolin-3-yl, 2-isoxazolin-4-yl, 3- isoxazolin-4-yl, 4-isoxazolin-4-yl, 2-isoxazolin-5-yl, 3-isoxazolin-5-yl, 4-isoxazolin-5-yl, 2-isothiazolin-3-yl, 3-isothiazolin-3-yl, 4-isothiazolin-3-yl, 2-isothiazolin-4-yl, 3- isothiazolin-4-yl, 4-isothiazolin-4-yl, 2-isothiazolin-5-yl, 3-isothiazolin-5-yl, 4-isothiazolin- 5-yl, 2,3-dihydropyrazol-1 -yl, 2,3-dihydropyrazol-2-yl, 2,3-dihydropyrazol-3-yl, 2,3- dihydropyrazol-4-yl, 2,3-dihydropyrazol-5-yl, 3,4-dihydropyrazol-1 -yl, 3,4- dihydropyrazol-3-yl, 3,4-dihydropyrazol-4-yl, 3,4-dihydropyrazol-5-yl, 4,5- dihydropyrazol-1 -yl, 4,5-dihydropyrazol-3-yl, 4,5-dihydropyrazol-4-yl, 4,5- dihydropyrazol-5-yl, 2,3-dihydrooxazol-2-yl, 2,3-dihydrooxazol-3-yl, 2,3-dihydrooxazol-

4-yl, 2,3-dihydrooxazol-5-yl, 3,4-dihydrooxazol-2-yl, 3,4-dihydrooxazol-3-yl,

3.4-dihydrooxazol-4-yl, 3,4-dihydrooxazol-5-yl, 3,4-dihydrooxazol-2-yl,

3.4-dihydrooxazol-3-yl, 3,4-dihydrooxazol-4-yl, 2,3-dihydro-1 ,2,4-triazol-1 -, -2-, -3- or -

5-yl, 4,5-dihydro-1 ,3,4-triazol-1 -, -2-, -4- or -5-yl, 2,5-dihydro-1 ,3,4-triazol-1 -, -2- or -5- yl, 4,5-dihydro-1 ,2,3-triazol-1 -, -4- or -5-yl, 2,5-dihydro-1 ,2,3-triazol-1 -, -2- or -5-yl, 2,3- dihydro-1 ,2,3-triazol-1 -, -2-, -3-, -4- or -5-yl, 2,3-dihydro-1 ,2,3,4-tetrazoM -, -2-, -3- or - 5-yl, 2,5-dihydro-1 ,2,3,4-tetrazol-1 -, -2- or -5-yl, 4, 5-dihydro-1 ,2,3,4-tetrazoM -, -4- or - 5-yl, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-di- or tetrahydropyridinyl, 3-di- or tetrahydropyridazinyl, 4-di- or tetrahydropyridazinyl, 2-di- or tetrahydropyrimidinyl, 4-di- or tetrahydropyrimidinyl, 5-di- or tetrahydropyrimidinyl, di- or tetrahydropyrazinyl, 1 ,3,5-di- or tetrahydrotriazin-2-yl, 1 ,2, 4-di- or tetrahydrotriazin-3-yl, 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro[1 H]azepin-1 -, -2-, -3-, -4-, -5-, -6- or -7-yl, 3,4,5,6-tetrahydro[2H]azepin-2-, -3-, -4-, -5-, -6- or -7-yl,

2.3.4.7-tetrahydro[1 H]azepin-1 -, -2-, -3-, -4-, -5-, -6- or -7-yl,

2.3.6.7-tetrahydro[1 H]azepin-1 -, -2-, -3-, -4-, -5-, -6- or -7-yl, tetrahydrooxepinyl, such as 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro[1 H]oxepin-2-, -3-, -4-, -5-, -6- or -7-yl, 2, 3,4,7- tetrahydro[1 H]oxepin-2-, -3-, -4-, -5-, -6- or -7-yl, 2,3,6,7-tetrahydro[1 H]oxepin-2-, -3-, -

4-, -5-, -6- or -7-yl, tetrahydro-1 ,3-diazepinyl, tetrahydro-1 ,4-diazepinyl, tetrahydro-1 ,3- oxazepinyl, tetrahydro-1 ,4-oxazepinyl, tetrahydro-1 ,3-dioxepinyl and tetrahydro-1 ,4- dioxepinyl.

Examples for a 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-membered monocyclic maximally unsaturated (including aromatic) heterocyclic ring containing 1 , 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, N, S and NO as ring members are 5- or 6-membered het- eroaromatic rings, such as 2-furyl, 3-furyl, 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl, 1 -pyrrolyl, 2-pyrrolyl, 3- pyrrolyl, 1-pyrazolyl, 3-pyrazolyl, 4-pyrazolyl, 5-pyrazolyl, 2-oxazolyl, 4-oxazolyl,

5-oxazolyl, 2-thiazolyl, 4-thiazolyl, 5-thiazolyl, 1 -imidazolyl, 2-imidazolyl, 4-imidazolyl,

1 .2.3-triazol-1 -yl, 1 ,2,3-triazol-2-yl, 1 ,2,3-triazol-4-yl, 1 ,2,4-triazol-1 -yl, 1 ,3,4-triazol-1 -yl,

1 .3.4-triazol-2-yl, 1 ,2, 3, 4-1 H-tetrazol-1 -yl, 1 ,2, 3, 4-1 H-tetrazol-5-yl, 1 ,2,3,4-2H-tetrazol- 2-yl, 1 ,2,3,4-2H-tetrazol-5-yl, 2-pyridinyl, 3-pyridinyl, 4-pyridinyl, 1 -oxopyridin-2-yl, 1 - oxopyridin-3-yl, 1 -oxopyridin-4-yl,3-pyridazinyl, 4-pyridazinyl, 2-pyrimidinyl,

4-pyrimidinyl, 5-pyrimidinyl and 2-pyrazinyl, further non-aromatic pyranyl and thiopyra- nyl, and also homoaromatic radicals, such as 1 H-azepine, 1 H-[1 ,3]-diazepine and 1 H- [1 ,4]-diazepine.

Examples for a 7-, 8-, 9- or 10-membered saturated heterobicyclic ring containing 1 , 2 or 3 (or 4) heteroatoms or heteroatom groups selected from N, O, S, NO, SO and SO2, as ring members are:

31

Examples for a 7-, 8-, 9- or 10-membered partially unsaturated heterobicyclic ring containing 1 , 2 or 3 (or 4) heteroatoms or heteroatom groups selected from N, O, S, NO, SO and SO2, as ring members are:

Examples for a 7-, 8-, 9- or 10-membered maximally unsaturated heterobicyclic ring containing 1 , 2 or 3 (or 4) heteroatoms or heteroatom groups selected from N, O, S, NO, SO and SO2, as ring members are:

In the above structures # denotes the attachment point to the remainder of the molecule. The attachment point is not restricted to the ring on which is shown, but can be on either of the fused rings, and may be on a carbon or on a nitrogen ring atom. If the rings carry one or more substituents, these may be bound to carbon and/or to ni- trogen ring atoms (if the latter are not part of a double bond).

Het is a 5- or 6-membered saturated heterocycle containing 1 or 2 S(0) _n groups as ring members. Examples therefor are tetrahydrothien-2-yl, tetrahydrothien-3-yl, 1-oxo- tetrahydrothien-2-yl, 1-oxo-tetrahydrothien-3-yl, 1 ,1-dioxotetrahydrothien-2-yl, 1 ,1- dioxotetrahydrothien-3-yl, tetrahydrothiopyran-2-yl, tetrahydrothiopyran-3-yl, tetrahy- drothiopyran-4-yl, 1-oxo-tetrahydrothiopyran-2-yl, 1-oxo-tetrahydrothiopyran-3-yl, 1- oxo-tetrahydrothiopyran-4-yl, 1 ,1-dioxo-tetrahydrothiopyran-2-yl, 1 ,1-dioxo- tetrahydrothiopyran-3-yl, 1 ,1-dioxo-tetrahydrothiopyran-4-yl, 1 ,2-dithiolan-3-yl, 1 ,2- dithiolan-4-yl, 1 ,3-dithiolan-2-yl, 1 ,3-dithiolan-4-yl, 1 ,2-dithian-3-yl, 1 ,2-dithian-4-yl, 1 ,3- dithian-2-yl, 1 ,3-dithian-4-yl, 1 ,4-dithian-2-yl and the like.

If two radicals bound on the same nitrogen atom (for example R ^3e and R ^3f or R¾ and R ^3h ) together with the nitrogen atom, to which they are bound, form a 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-membered, saturated or unsaturated (N-bound) heterocyclic radical which may con- tain as a ring member a further heteroatom selected from O, S and N, this is for exam- pie azetidin-1-yl, pyrrolidine-1 -yl, pyrazolidin-1-yl, imidazolidin-1-yl, oxazolidin-3-yl, thi- azolidin-3-yl, isoxazolidin-2-yl, isothiazolin-2-yl, piperdin-1-yl, piperazine-1 -yl, morpho- lin-1-yl, thiomorpholin-1-yl, 1-oxothiomorpholin-1-yl, 1 ,1-dioxothiomorpholin-1-yl, aze- pan-1-yl, 1 ,4-diazepan-1-yl, pyrrolin-1 -yl, pyrazolin-1-yl, imidazolin-1 -yl, oxazolin-3-yl, isoxazolin-2-yl, thiazolin-3-yl, isothiazolin-1 -yl, 1 ,2-dihydropyridin-1 -yl, 1 , 2,3,4- tetrahydropyridin-1 -yl, 1 ,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridin-1 -yl, 1 ,2-dihydropyridazin, 1 ,6- dihydropyridazin, 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridazin-1 -yl, 1 ,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridazin-1 -yl, 1 ,2- dihydropyrimidin, 1 ,6-dihydropyrimidin, 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidin-1 -yl, 1 , 2,5,6- tetrahydropyrimidin-1 -yl, 1 ,2-dihydropyrazin-1 -yl, 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrazin-1 -yl,

1 ,2,5,6-tetrahydropyrazin-1 -yl, pyrrol-1 -yl, pyrazol-1 -yl and imidazol-1 -yl.

The remarks made below concerning preferred embodiments of the variables of the compounds of formula I, especially with respect to their substituents R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ ,

R ⁵ , R ¹¹ , R ²¹ , R ²² , R ²³ , R ²⁴ , R ²⁵ , R ^b , R ^1b , R ^3b , R ^3c , R ^3d , R ^3e , R ^3f , R¾, R ^3b , R Q, Q ¹ , Q ² , Q ³ ,

Q ⁴ , Z ¹ , Z ² , Z ³ , Z ^3a , Z ⁴ , k and n, the features of the use and method according to the in- vention and of the composition of the invention are valid both on their own and, in par- ticular, in every possible combination with each other. In one preferred embodiment, Q is Q ¹ . In another preferred embodiment, Q is Q ² .

In another preferred embodiment, Q is Q ³ . In another preferred embodiment, Q is Q ⁴ .

In particular, Q is Q ¹ .

In a preferred embodiment, R ¹ is selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, C-i-Cs-alkyl, Ci-C4-alkoxy-Ci-C4-alkoxy-Z ¹ and R ^1b -S(0) _k -Z ¹ . More preferably, R ¹ is selected from the group consisting of halogen, in particular Cl; and Ci-C4-alkyl, in particular methyl. In particular, R ¹ is halogen; specifically Cl.

As a matter of course, in R ² , the radicals phenyl-Z ⁴ -S(0) _n -Z ² , heterocyclyl-Z ⁴ - S(0) _n -Z ² , Cyc-Z ⁴ -S(0) _n -Z ² and Het-Z ^2a are bound via the bridging group Z ² or Z ^2a to the remainder of the molecule; i.e. to the oxygen atom.

In a preferred embodiment, R ² is selected from the group consisting of phenyl-Z ⁴ - S(0) _n -Z ² , heterocyclyl-Z ⁴ -S(0) _n -Z ² and Cyc-Z ⁴ -S(0) _n -Z ² , where the cyclic groups of the three aforementioned radicals (i.e. phenyl, heterocyclyl and Cyc) are unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 substituents as defined above, i.e. by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 substituents independently of each other selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, Ci- C4-alkyl, Ci-C4-haloalkyl, Ci-C4-alkoxy, Ci-C4-haloalkoxy, Ci-C4-alkylsulfonyl, C1-C4- haloalkylsulfonyl, phenyl and oxo; where Cyc is C3-C6-cycloalkyl or C3-C6-cycloalkyl fused to a benzene ring; and where heterocyclyl is a 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-membered monocy- clic or 7-, 8-, 9- or 10-membered bicyclic saturated, partially unsaturated or maximally unsaturated heterocyclic ring containing 1 , 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, N, and S(0) _n as ring members.

In a more preferred embodiment, R ² is phenyi-Z ⁴ -S(0) _n -Z ² , wherein Z ² is (CH2)2 or (Chh Z ⁴ is a covalent bond or CH2, and the phenyl ring is unsubstituted or substi- tuted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 substituents as defined in claim 1 ; and where the substituents, in- dependently of each other, are in particular selected from halogen. For example, R ² is phenyl-S(0) _n -Z ² , wherein the phenyl ring is unsubstituted or substi- tuted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups as defined above. In particular, the one or more substitu- ents on the phenyl ring are selected from halogen; specifically from F and Cl. In par- ticular, the phenyl ring is substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4, particularly by 1 , 2 or 3, specifically by 1 or 2 groups as defined above, in particular by 1 , 2, 3 or 4, particularly by 1 , 2 or 3, specifically by 1 or 2 halogen atoms, specifically by 1 , 2, 3 or 4, particularly by 1 , 2 or 3, specifically by 1 or 2 halogen atoms selected from F and Cl. In phenyi-S(0) _n -Z ² , n is preferably 0. In phenyl-S(0) _n -Z ² , Z ² is preferably -(CFh^.

In a particular embodiment, R ² is

- phenyl-S-(CH2)2, wherein the phenyl ring is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 halogen atoms; or is

- phenyl-S(0)-(CH ₂ ) ₂ , wherein the phenyl ring is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 substituents independently selected from halogen; or is

- phenyl-S(0) ₂ -(CH ₂ ) ₂ , wherein the phenyl ring is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 substituents independently selected from halogen; or is

- phenyl-CH2-S-(CH2)2, wherein the phenyl ring is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 substituents independently selected from halogen; or is

- phenyl-CH2-S(0)-(CH2)2, wherein the phenyl ring is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 substituents independently selected from halogen; or is

- phenyl-CH2-S(0)2-(CH2)2, wherein the phenyl ring is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 substituents independently selected from halogen.

In a specific embodiment, R ² is phenyl-S-(CH2)2, wherein the phenyl ring is un- substituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4, particularly by 1 , 2 or 3, specifically by 1 or 2 halogen atoms, and specifically by 1 , 2, 3 or 4, particularly by 1 , 2 or 3, specifically by 1 or 2 halogen atoms selected from F and Cl.

In another more preferred embodiment, R ² is heterocyciyl-Z ⁴ -S(0) _n -Z ² , wherein Z ² is (CH2)2 or (CFhH Z ⁴ is a covalent bond or CFh, and the heterocyclyl ring is unsubsti- tuted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, Ci-C4-alkyl, Ci-C4-haloalkyl, phenyl and oxo (as explained above, heterocyclyl can only be substituted by oxo if heterocyclyl is saturated or partially unsaturated).

In particular, R ² is heterocyclyl-S(0) _n -(CH2)2, where heterocyclyl is

- a 4-, 5- or 6-membered saturated monocyclic heterocyclic ring containing 1 or 2 het- eroatoms selected from the group consisting of O and S(0) _n as ring members which may be substituted by 1 or 2 Ci-C4-alkyl groups or by 1 oxo substituent; or is

- a 5- or 6-membered partially unsaturated monocyclic heterocyclic ring containing 1 , 2 or 3 heteroatoms or heteroatom groups selected from the group consisting of O, N, and S(0) _n as ring members which may be substituted by 1 or 2 Ci-C4-alkyl groups; or is

- a 5- or 6-membered monocyclic heteroaromatic ring containing 1 , 2 or 3 heteroatoms or heteroatom groups selected from the group consisting of O, N, and S as ring mem- bers which may be substituted by 1 or 2 substituents independently selected from Ci- C4-alkyl and phenyl; or is - a 5- or 6-membered saturated heterocyclic ring containing 1 or 2 heteroatoms select- ed from the group consisting of O and S(0) _n as ring members which is fused to a ben- zene ring, where the fused ring system may be substituted by 1 or 2 Ci-C4-alkyl groups; or is

- a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic ring containing 1 , 2 or 3 heteroatoms or heteroa- tom groups selected from the group consisting of O, N, and S as ring members which is fused to a benzene ring, where the fused ring system may be substituted by 1 or 2 Ci-C4-alkyl groups.

In an alternative more preferred embodiment, R ² is heterocyciyl-S(0) _n -Z ² , wherein the heterocyclyl ring is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4, particularly by 1 , 2 or 3, specifically by 1 or 2 groups as defined above. In particular, the one or more substitu- ents on the heterocyclyl ring are selected from halogen; specifically from F and Cl. In particular, heterocyclyl is a 5- or 6-membered saturated heterocyclic ring containing 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, S and N, preferably O, as ring members and is specifically tetrahydrofuranyl or tetrahydropyranyl. More specifi- cally, heterocyclyl is unsubstituted tetrahydrofuranyl or unsubstituted tetrahydropyranyl. In heterocyclyl-S(0) _n -Z ² , n is preferably 0. In heterocyciyl-S(0) _n -Z ² , Z ² is preferably - (CH ₂ ) ₂ .

In an alternative particular embodiment, R ² is heterocyclyl-S-(CH2)2, where heter- ocyclyl is as defined above, and is in particular a 5- or 6-membered saturated hetero- cyclic ring containing 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, S and N as ring members, and is specifically tetrahydrofuranyl or tetrahydropyranyl, and is very specifically unsubstituted tetrahydrofuranyl or unsubstituted tetrahydropyranyl.

In another more preferred embodiment, R ² is Cyc-Z ⁴ -S(0) _n -Z ² , wherein Z ² is (CH2)2 or (CH2)3, Z ⁴ is a covalent bond or CFh, and Cyc is C3-C6-cycloalkyl or is C5-C6- cycloalkyl fused to a benzene ring (i.e. indanyl or tetralinyl), where Cyc is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 halogen atoms.

In particular, R ² is selected from the group consisting of (monocyclic) C3-C6- cycloaikyl-S(0) _n -Z ² , (monocyclic) C ₃ -C ₆ -cycloalkyl-CH ₂ -S(0) _n -Z ² , indanyi-S(0) _n -Z ² and indanyl-CH ₂ -S(0) _n -Z ² ; and in particular from (monocyclic) C ₃ -C ₆ -cycloalkyl-S(0) _n -Z ² , (monocyclic) C ₃ -C ₆ -cycloalkyl-CH ₂ -S(0) _n -Z ² and indanyl- S(0) _n -Z ² .

In an alternative more preferred embodiment, R ² is C ₃ -C ₆ -cycloalkyl-S(0) _n -Z ² , wherein the cycloalkyl ring is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4, particularly by 1 , 2 or 3, specifically by 1 or 2 groups as defined above. In particular, the one or more substituents on the cycloalkyl ring are selected from halogen; specifically from F and Cl. In C ₃ -C ₆ -cycloalkyl-S(0) _n -Z ² , n is preferably 0. In C ₃ -C ₆ -cycloalkyl-S(0) _n -Z ² , Z ² is preferably -(CH2)2.

In an alternative particular embodiment, R ² is C3-C6-cycloalkyl-S-(CH2)2, wherein the cycloalkyl ring is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4, particularly by 1 , 2 or 3, specifically by 1 or 2 groups as defined above. In particular, the one or more substit- uents on the cycloalkyl ring are selected from halogen; specifically from F and Cl. In another preferred embodiment, R ² is Het-Z ^2a , wherein the heterocyclic ring Het is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4, particularly by 1 , 2 or 3, specifically by 1 or 2 groups as defined above. In particular, the one or more substituents on the Het ring are selected from halogen; specifically from F and Cl. In Het-Z ^2a , Z ^2a is preferably a covalent bond, CH ₂ or CH2CH2. In particular, Z ^2a is CH2 or CH2CH2. In another particu- lar embodiment, Z ^2a is a covaltent bond. Het is specifically tetrahydrothiopyranyl.

In a particular embodiment, R ² is Het, where Het is tetrahydrothiopyranyl, in par- ticular 2-tetrahydrothiopyranyl, 3-tetrahydrothiopyranyl or 4-tetrahydrothiopyranyl, spe- cifically 2-tetrahydrothiopyranyl or 3-tetrahydrothiopyranyl, very specifically 3- tetrahydrothiopyranyl. In another particular embodiment, R ² is Het-CH2, where Het is tetrahydrothiopyranyl, in particular 2-tetrahydrothiopyranyl, 3-tetrahydrothiopyranyl or 4-tetrahydrothiopyranyl, specifically 2-tetrahydrothiopyranyl or 3-tetrahydrothiopyranyl, very specifically 2-tetrahydrothiopyranyl. In another particular embodiment, R ² is Het- (CH ₂ ) ₂ , where Het is tetrahydrothiopyranyl, in particular 2-tetrahydrothiopyranyl, 3- tetrahydrothiopyranyl or 4-tetrahydrothiopyranyl, specifically 2-tetrahydrothiopyranyl or

3-tetrahydrothiopyranyl, very specifically 3-tetrahydrothiopyranyl.

Most preferably, R ² is selected from the group consisting of cyclopropyl-S-Z ² , cyclopropyl-CH2-S-Z ² , (oxetan-3-yl)-S-Z ² , (tetrahydrofuran-3-yl)-S-Z ² , (tetrahydropyran-

4-yl)-S-Z ² and phenyl-S-Z ² , where phenyl is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 or 2 halo- gen atoms, in particular by 1 or 2 fluorine atoms; where Z ² is (CH2)2.

In a preferred embodiment, R ³ is selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkoxy-Z ³ and R ^3b -S(0) _k -Z ³ ; in particular from halogen, Ci-C ₆ -alkyl and Ci-C ₆ -alkylsulfonyl, more particularly from halogen and Ci-C4-alkylsulfonyl; even more particularly from Cl, Br and methylsulfonyl; specifically from Cl and Br, and is very specifically Cl.

In a preferred embodiment, R ⁴ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, cyano, halogen, nitro, Ci-C2-alkyl, and Ci-C2-haloalkyl. More preferably, R ⁴ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, cyano, chlorine, fluorine and CH ₃ . In particular, R ⁴ is hydrogen.

In a preferred embodiment, R ⁵ is selected from the group consisting of C1-C ₆ - alkyl, Ci-C4-alkoxy-Ci-C4-alkyl and phenyl; more preferably from Ci-C4-alkyl,

CH ₃ OCH2CH2 and CH ₃ OCH2, in particular from Ci-C4-alkyl; and is specifically methyl.

In particular compounds I, Q is Q ¹ ; R ¹ is halogen; R ² is phenyl-S-(CH2)2- or heter- ocyclyl-S-(CH2)2- or C3-C6-cycloalkyl-S-(CH2)2-, where the phenyl ring is unsubstituted or, preferably, substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 halogen atoms, heterocyclyl is a 5- or 6- membered saturated heterocyclic ring containing 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, S and N, preferably O, as ring members, where the heterocyclyl ring is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 or 2 halogen atoms, and the cycloalkyl ring is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 or 2 halogen atoms; R ³ is Cl or Ci-C ₄ -alkylsulfonyl; R ⁴ is hydrogen; and R ⁵ is Ci-C ₄ -alkyl. Specifically, Q is Q ¹ ; R ¹ is Cl; R ² is phenyl-S-(CH2)2 or heterocyclyl-S-(CH2)2- or C3-C6-cycloalkyl-S-(CH2)2-, where the phenyl ring is unsub- stituted or preferably substituted by 1 or 2 halogen atoms selected from F and Cl, het- erocyclyl is unsubstituted tetrahydrofuranyl or unsubstituted tetrahydropyranyl, and the cycloalkyl ring is unsubstituted; R ³ is Cl; R ⁴ is hydrogen; and R ⁵ is methyl.

In an alternative particular embodiment, in compounds I,

R ¹ is halogen or Ci-C4-alkyl;

R ² is selected from the group consisting of

- phenyl-Z ⁴ -S(0) _n -Z ² , wherein Z ² is (CH2)2, Z ⁴ is a covalent bond or CH2, and the phenyl ring is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 halogen atoms;

- heterocyciyl-Z ⁴ -S(0) _n -Z ² , wherein Z ² is (CH2)2, Z ⁴ is a covalent bond, and heter- ocyclyl is a 4-, 5- or 6-membered saturated monocyclic heterocyclic ring contain- ing 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O and S(0) _n as ring members which may be substituted by 1 or 2 Ci-C ₄ -alkyl groups or by 1 oxo sub- stituent; or is a 5- or 6-membered partially unsaturated monocyclic heterocyclic ring containing 1 , 2 or 3 heteroatoms or heteroatom groups selected from the group consisting of O, N, and S(0) _n as ring members which may be substituted by 1 or 2 Ci-C ₄ -alkyl groups; or is a 5- or 6-membered monocyclic heteroaromatic ring containing 1 , 2 or 3 heteroatoms or heteroatom groups selected from the group consisting of O, N, and S as ring members which may be substituted by 1 or 2 substituents independently selected from Ci-C ₄ -alkyl and phenyl; or is a 5- or 6-membered saturated heterocyclic ring containing 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O and S(0) _n as ring members which is fused to a benzene ring, where the fused ring system may be substituted by 1 or 2 Ci-C ₄ - alkyl groups; or is a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic ring containing 1 , 2 or 3 heteroatoms or heteroatom groups selected from the group consisting of O, N, and S as ring members which is fused to a benzene ring, where the fused ring system may be substituted by 1 or 2 Ci-C ₄ -alkyl groups; and

- Cyc-Z ⁴ -S(0) _n -Z ² , wherein Z ² is (CH2)2 or (CFhH Z ⁴ is a covalent bond or CH2, and Cyc is (monocyclic) C3-C6-cycloalkyl or is Cs-Ce-cycloalkyl fused to a ben- zene ring (i.e. indanyl or tetralinyl), where Cyc is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2, 3 or 4 halogen atoms;

R ³ is selected from the group consisting of halogen, Ci-C ₆ -alkyl and C1-C6- alkylsulfonyl;

R ⁴ is hydrogen; and

R ⁵ is Ci-C ₄ -alkyl.

In this alternative particular embodiment, Q can be any of Q ¹ , Q ² , Q ³ or Q ⁴ , but is pref- erably Q ¹ . More particularly, in compounds I,

R ¹ is halogen;

R ² is selected from the group consisting of

- phenyi-Z ⁴ -S(0) _n -Z ² , wherein Z ² is (CH2)2, Z ⁴ is a covalent bond or CH2, and the phenyl ring is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 or 4 halogen atoms;

- heterocyciyl-Z ⁴ -S(0) _n -Z ² , wherein Z ² is (CH2)2, Z ⁴ is a covalent bond, and heter- ocyclyl is a 4-, 5- or 6-membered saturated monocyclic heterocyclic ring contain- ing 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O and S(0) _n as ring members which may be substituted by 1 or 2 Ci-C4-alkyl groups or by 1 oxo sub- stituent; or is a 5- or 6-membered partially unsaturated monocyclic heterocyclic ring containing 1 , 2 or 3 heteroatoms or heteroatom groups selected from the group consisting of O and N as ring members which may be substituted by 1 or 2 Ci-C4-alkyl groups; or is a 5-or 6-membered monocyclic heteroaromatic ring con- taining 1 , 2 or 3 heteroatoms or heteroatom groups selected from the group con- sisting of O, N, and S as ring members which may be substituted by 1 or 2 sub- stituents independently selected from Ci-C4-alkyl and phenyl; or is a 5- or 6- membered saturated heterocyclic ring containing 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O and S(0) _n as ring members which is fused to a benzene ring; or is a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic ring containing 1 , 2 or 3 heteroatoms or heteroatom groups selected from the group consisting of O, N, and S as ring members which is fused to a benzene ring;

- C3-C6-cycloalkyl Z ⁴ -S(0) _n -Z ² , wherein Z ² is (CH2)2 or (ChhH Z ⁴ is a covalent bond or CH2 and the cycloalkyl ring is monocyclic; and

- indanyi-S(0) _n -Z ² , wherein Z ² is (Chh^;

R ³ is selected from the group consisting of halogen and Ci-C ₆ -alkylsulfonyl;

R ⁴ is hydrogen; and

R ⁵ is Ci-C4-alkyl.

In this alternative more particular embodiment, Q can be any of Q ¹ , Q ² , Q ³ or Q ⁴ , but is preferably Q ¹ .

Thus, even more particularly, in compounds I,

Q is Q ¹ ;

R ¹ is halogen;

R ² is selected from the group consisting of

- phenyl-Z ⁴ -S(0) _n -Z ² , wherein Z ² is (CH2)2, Z ⁴ is a covalent bond or CH2, and the phenyl ring is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 or 4 halogen atoms;

- heterocyciyl-Z ⁴ -S(0) _n -Z ² , wherein Z ² is (CH2)2, Z ⁴ is a covalent bond, and heter- ocyclyl is a 4-, 5- or 6-membered saturated monocyclic heterocyclic ring contain- ing 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O and S(0) _n as ring members which may be substituted by 1 or 2 Ci-C4-alkyl groups or by 1 oxo sub- stituent; or is a 5- or 6-membered partially unsaturated monocyclic heterocyclic ring containing 1 , 2 or 3 heteroatoms or heteroatom groups selected from the group consisting of O and N as ring members which may be substituted by 1 or 2 Ci-C4-alkyl groups; or is a 5-or 6-membered monocyclic heteroaromatic ring con- taining 1 , 2 or 3 heteroatoms or heteroatom groups selected from the group con- sisting of O, N, and S as ring members which may be substituted by 1 or 2 sub- stituents independently selected from Ci-C4-alkyl and phenyl; or is a 5- or 6- membered saturated heterocyclic ring containing 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O and S(0) _n as ring members which is fused to a benzene ring; or is a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic ring containing 1 , 2 or 3 heteroatoms or heteroatom groups selected from the group consisting of O, N, and S as ring members which is fused to a benzene ring;

- C3-C6-cycloalkyl Z ⁴ -S(0) _n -Z ² , wherein Z ² is (CH2)2 or (ChhH Z ⁴ is a covalent bond or CH2 and the cycloalkyl ring is monocyclic; and

- indanyi-S(0) _n -Z ² , wherein Z ² is (Chh^;

R ³ is selected from the group consisting of halogen and Ci-C ₆ -alkylsulfonyl;

R ⁴ is hydrogen; and

R ⁵ is Ci-C4-alkyl. Specifically, in compounds I,

Q is Q ¹ ;

R ¹ is halogen;

R ² is selected from the group consisting of cyclopropyl-S-Z ² , cyclopropyl-Chh-S-Z ² , (oxetan-3-yl)-S-Z ² , (tetrahydrofuran-3-yl)-S-Z ² , (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-S-Z ² and phenyl-S-Z ² , where phenyl is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 or 2 halogen at- oms, in particular by 1 or 2 fluorine atoms; where Z ² is (Chh^;

R ³ is halogen;

R ⁴ is hydrogen; and

R ⁵ is Ci-C4-alkyl.

If not specified otherwise, the variables R ¹¹ , R ²¹ , Z ¹ , Z ³ , Z ^3a , R ^b , R ^1b , R ^3b , R ^3c , R ^3d , R ^3e , R ^3f , R¾, R ^3h , R ^k , n and k, independently of each other, preferably have one of the following meanings:

R ¹¹ is preferably selected from halogen, Ci-C4-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6- halocycloalkyl, Ci-C4-haloalkyl, Ci-C4-alkoxy, Ci-C4-alkoxy-Ci-C4-alkyl, Ci-C4-alkylthio- Ci-C4-alkyl, Ci-C4-alkoxy-Ci-C4-alkoxy and Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyloxy, more preferably from halogen, Ci-C4-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, Ci-C4-haloalkyl and Ci-C4-alkoxy. More prefera- bly R ¹¹ is selected from the group consisting of halogen, Ci-C4-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, Ci-C4-haloalkyl, Ci-C4-alkoxy, Ci-C4-alkoxy-Ci-C4-alkyl, Ci-C4-alkylthio-Ci-C4-alkyl and Ci-C4-alkoxy-Ci-C4-alkoxy; in particular from halogen, Ci-C4-alkyl, Ci-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4- haloalkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl and Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy; and specifically from Cl, F, Br, methyl, ethyl, methoxy and thfluoromethyl.

R ²¹ is preferably selected from halogen, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, C ₃ -C ₆ -cycloalkyl, C ₃ -C ₆ - halocycloalkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkylthio- Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy and Ci-C6-haloalkyloxy, more preferably from halogen, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, C ₃ -C ₆ -cycloalkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl and Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy. More prefera- bly R ²¹ is selected from the group consisting of halogen, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, C ₃ -C ₆ -cycloalkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkylthio-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl and Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy; in particular from halogen, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy, C ₁ -C ₄ - haloalkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl and Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy; and specifically from Cl, F, Br, methyl, ethyl, methoxy and thfluoromethyl.

Z ¹ , Z ³ independently of each other are preferably selected from a covalent bond, methanediyl and ethanediyl, and in particular are a covalent bond.

Z ^3a is preferably selected from a covalent bond, Ci-C ₂ -alkanediyl, O-C ₁ -C ₂ - alkanediyl, Ci-C ₂ -alkanediyl-0 and Ci-C ₂ -alkanediyl-0-Ci-C ₂ -alkanediyl; more prefera- bly from a covalent bond, methanediyl, ethanediyl, O-methanediyl, O-ethanediyl, me- thanediyl-O, and ethanediyl-O; and in particular from a covalent bond, methanediyl and ethanediyl.

R ^b , R ^1b , R ^3b independently of each other are preferably selected from Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -haloalkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkynyl, C ₂ - C ₆ -haloalkynyl, phenyl and heterocyclyl, where heterocyclyl is a 5- or 6-membered monocyclic saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle, which contains 1 ,

2 or 3 heteroatoms as ring members, which are selected from the group consisting of O, N and S, where phenyl and heterocyclyl are unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 groups, which are identical or different and selected from the group consisting of halogen, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₂ -haloalkyl and Ci-C ₂ -alkoxy. More preferably R ^b , R ^1b , R ^3b independently of each other are selected from the group consisting of Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, C ₂ - C ₄ -alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₄ -alkynyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl, C ₂ -C ₄ -haloalkenyl, C ₂ -C ₄ -haloalkynyl, C ₃ -C ₆ - cycloalkyl, phenyl and heterocyclyl, where heterocyclyl is a 5- or 6-membered monocyclic saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle, which contains 1 ,

2 or 3 heteroatoms as ring members, which are selected from the group consisting of O, N and S. In particular, R ^b , R ^1b , R ^3b independently of each other are selected from C ₁ - C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl, C ₂ -C ₄ -alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₄ -haloalkenyl, C ₂ -C ₄ -alkynyl, C ₃ -C ₆ - cycloalkyl, phenyl and heterocyclyl, where heterocyclyl is a 5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic radical having 1 or 2 nitrogen atoms as ring members.

R ^3c , R ^k independently of each other are preferably selected from hydrogen, C ₁ - C ₆ -alkyl, C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl, which is unsubstituted or partly or completely halogenated, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -haloalkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkynyl, C ₃ -C ₆ -haloalkynyl, C ₁ - C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, phenyl, benzyl and heterocyclyl, where heterocyclyl is a 5- or 6- membered monocyclic saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle, which contains 1 , 2 or 3 heteroatoms as ring members, which are selected from the group consisting of O, N and S, where phenyl, benzyl and heterocyclyl are unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 groups, which are identical or different and selected from the group consisting of halogen, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl and Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy. More preferably R ^3c , R ^k independently of each other are selected from hydrogen, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl, C ₂ -C ₄ -alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₄ -haloalkenyl, C ₂ -C ₄ -alkynyl, C ₃ -C ₆ -cycloalkyl, phenyl and heterocyclyl, where heterocyclyl is a 5- or 6-membered monocyclic saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle, which contains 1 , 2 or 3 heteroatoms as ring members, which are selected from the group consisting of O, N and S. In particular, R ^3c , R ^k independently of each other are selected from hydrogen, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl, C ₂ -C ₄ -alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₄ -haloalkenyl, C ₃ -C ₆ -cycloalkyl, phenyl and heterocyclyl, where heterocyclyl is a 5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic radical having 1 or 2 nitrogen atoms as ring members.

R ^3d is preferably selected from Ci-C6-alkyl, C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl, which is

unsubstituted or partly or completely halogenated, Ci-C6-haloalkyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkenyl, C ₂ - C6-haloalkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkynyl, C ₃ -C ₆ -haloalkynyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, phenyl and benzyl. More preferably R ^3d is selected from Ci-C6-alkyl, Ci-C6-haloalkyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -haloalkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkynyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl and C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl, which is unsubstituted or partly or completely halogenated, and in particular selected from C ₁ - C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl, C ₂ -C ₄ -alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₄ -haloalkenyl, C ₂ -C ₄ -alkynyl and C ₃ -C ₆ - cycloalkyl.

R ^3e , R ^3f independently of each other are preferably selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl, which is unsubstituted or partially or completely halogenated, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -haloalkenyl, C ₁ -C ₄ - alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, phenyl and benzyl, where phenyl and benzyl are unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 groups, which are identical or different and selected from the group consisting of halogen, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl and Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy, or R ^3e and R ^3f together with the nitrogen atom, to which they are bound may form a 5-, 6 or 7- membered, saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic radical, which may contain as a ring member a further heteroatom selected from O, S and N and which is unsubstituted or may carry 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups, which are identical or different and selected from the group consisting of halogen, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl and Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy. More preferably R ^3e , R ^3f independently of each other are selected from hydrogen, C ₁ -C ₆ - alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl and benzyl, or R ^3e and R ^3f together with the nitrogen atom, to which they are bound may form a 5- or 6-membered, saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic radical, which may contain as a ring member a further heteroatom selected from O, S and N and which is unsubstituted or may carry 1 , 2 or 3 groups, which are identical or different and selected from the group consisting of halogen, C ₁ - C ₄ -alkyl and Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl. In particular, R ^3e , R ^3f independently of each other are selected from hydrogen and Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, or R ^3e and R ^3f together with the nitrogen atom, to which they are bound may form a 5- or 6-membered, saturated heterocyclic radical, which may contain as a ring member a further heteroatom selected from O, S and N and which is unsubstituted or may carry 1 , 2 or 3 methyl groups.

R¾ is preferably selected from hydrogen, Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl, which is unsubstituted or partly or completely halogenated, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkenyl, C ₂ - C ₆ -haloalkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkynyl, C ₃ -C ₆ -haloalkynyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, phenyl and benzyl. More preferably R¾ is selected from hydrogen, Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl, C ₂ - C ₆ -alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -haloalkenyl, benzyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl and C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl, which is unsubstituted or partly or completely halogenated, and in particular selected from hydrogen, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl, C ₂ -C ₄ -alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₄ -haloalkenyl, benzyl and C ₃ -C ₆ -cycloalkyl.

R ^3h is preferably selected from hydrogen, Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl, which is unsubstituted or partly or completely halogenated, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkenyl, C ₂ - C ₆ -haloalkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkynyl, C ₃ -C ₆ -haloalkynyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, phenyl, benzyl and a radical C(=0)-R ^k , where R ^k is H, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl or phenyl. More preferably R ^3h is selected from hydrogen, Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -haloalkyl, C ₂ -C ₆ - alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -haloalkenyl, benzyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl and C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl, which is unsubstituted or partly or completely halogenated, and in particular selected from hydrogen, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl, C ₂ -C ₄ -alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₄ -haloalkenyl, benzyl and C ₃ -C ₆ -cycloalkyl; or R¾ and R ^3h together with the nitrogen atom, to which they are bound may form a 5-, 6 or 7-membered, saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic radical, which may contain as a ring member a further heteroatom selected from O, S and N and which is unsubstituted or may carry 1 , 2, 3 or 4 groups, which are identical or different and selected from the group consisting of =0, halogen, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl and Ci-C ₄ - haloalkyl and Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy. More preferably R¾ and R ^3h together with the nitrogen atom, to which they are bound may form a 5- or 6-membered, saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic radical, which may contain as a ring member a further heteroatom selected from O, S and N and which is unsubstituted or may carry 1 , 2 or 3 groups, which are identical or different and selected from the group consisting of halogen, C ₁ - C ₄ -alkyl and Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl; and in particular, R¾ and R ^3h together with the nitrogen atom, to which they are bound may form a 5- or 6-membered, saturated heterocyclic radical, which may contain as a ring member a further heteroatom selected from O, S and N and which is unsubstituted or may carry 1 , 2 or 3 methyl groups.

n and k independently of each other are preferably 0 or 2, and in particular 2.

Also preferably n is 0. Examples of preferred compounds are the compounds of formulae I. a to l.r, wherein for an individual compound the variables are as defined in one row of table 1 (in compounds l.b, l.c, l.f, l.g, l.h, l.i, l.m, l.n, l.o, l.p, l.q and l.r only the columns with R ^2a , R ³ and R ⁵ and thus only rows 1 -1 to 1 -732 are relevant since these compounds do not contain the variable X); and compounds l.s, l.t and l.u, wherein for an individual compound the variables are as defined in one row of table 2 (in compounds l.t and l.u only the columns with R ^2b , R ³ and R ⁵ and thus only rows 2-1 to 2-288 are relevant since these compounds do not contain the variable X). Moreover, the meanings men- tioned below for the individual variables in tables 1 and 2 are per se, independently of the combination in which they are mentioned, a particularly preferred embodiment of the substituents in question.

Compounds of formula I. a, wherein for an individual compound the variables X, R ^2a , R ³ and R ⁵ are as defined in one row of table 1 :

Table 1

Compounds of formula l.b, wherein for an individual compound the combined mean- ings of the variables R ^2a , R ³ and R ⁵ are as defined in one row 1 -1 to 1 -732 of table 1 above.

Compounds of formula l.c, wherein for an individual compound the combined meanings of the variables R ^2a , R ³ and R ⁵ are as defined in one row 1 -1 to 1 -732 of table 1 above.

Compounds of formula l.d, wherein for an individual compound the combined mean- ings of the variables R ^2a , R ³ , R ⁵ and X are as defined in one row 1 -1 to 1 -1464 of table 1 above.

Compounds of formula l.e, wherein for an individual compound the combined mean- ings of the variables R ^2a , R ³ , R ⁵ and X are as defined in one row 1 -1 to 1 -1464 of table 1 above.

Compounds of formula l.f, wherein for an individual compound the combined meanings of the variables R ^2a , R ³ and R ⁵ are as defined in one row 1 -1 to 1 -732 of table 1 above.

Compounds of formula l.g, wherein for an individual compound the combined mean- ings of the variables R ^2a , R ³ and R ⁵ are as defined in one row 1 -1 to 1 -732 of table 1 above.

Compounds of formula l.h, wherein for an individual compound the combined mean- ings of the variables R ^2a , R ³ and R ⁵ are as defined in one row 1 -1 to 1 -732 of table 1 above.

Compounds of formula l.i, wherein for an individual compound the combined meanings of the variables R ^2a , R ³ and R ⁵ are as defined in one row 1 -1 to 1 -732 of table 1 above.

Compounds of formula l.j, wherein for an individual compound the combined meanings of the variables R ^2a , R ³ , R ⁵ and X are as defined in one row 1 -1 to 1 -1464 of table 1 above. )

Compounds of formula l.k, wherein for an individual compound the combined meanings of the variables R ^2a , R ³ , R ⁵ and X are as defined in one row 1 -1 to 1 -1464 of table 1 above.

)

Compounds of formula l.l, wherein for an individual compound the combined meanings of the variables R ^2a , R ³ , R ⁵ and X are as defined in one row 1 -1 to 1 -1464 of table 1 above.

) Compounds of formula l.m, wherein for an individual compound the combined mean- ings of the variables R ^2a , R ³ and R ⁵ are as defined in one row 1 -1 to 1 -732 of table 1 above.

Compounds of formula l.n, wherein for an individual compound the combined mean- ings of the variables R ^2a , R ³ and R ⁵ are as defined in one row 1-1 to 1-732 of table 1 above.

Compounds of formula l.o, wherein for an individual compound the combined mean- ings of the variables R ^2a , R ³ and R ⁵ are as defined in one row 1-1 to 1-732 of table 1 above.

(i p) Compounds of formula l.p, wherein for an individual compound the combined mean- ings of the variables R ^2a , R ³ and R ⁵ are as defined in one row 1-1 to 1-732 of table 1 above.

Compounds of formula l.q, wherein for an individual compound the combined mean- ings of the variables R ^2a , R ³ and R ⁵ are as defined in one row 1 -1 to 1 -732 of table 1 above.

Compounds of formula l.r, wherein for an individual compound the combined meanings of the variables R ^2a , R ³ and R ⁵ are as defined in one row 1 -1 to 1 -732 of table 1 above.

Compounds of formula l.s, wherein for an individual compound the combined meanings of the variables X, R ^2b , R ³ and R ⁵ are as defined in one row of table 2:

Table 2

Compounds of formula l.t, wherein for an individual compound the combined meanings of the variables R ^2b , R ³ and R ⁵ are as defined in one row 2-1 to 2-288 of table 2 above.

Compounds of formula l.u, wherein for an individual compound the combined mean- ings of the variables R ^2b , R ³ and R ⁵ are as defined in one row 2-1 to 2-288 of table 2 above.

The compounds of formula I can be prepared by standard methods of organic chemistry, e.g. by the methods described in the schemes below. The substituents, var- iables and indices used in the schemes are as defined above for the compounds of formula I, if not specified otherwise.

Compounds of formula I wherein Q is Q1 (termed in the following compounds I. A) can be prepared according to Scheme 1 below. Standard amidation conditions can be applied.

Scheme 1 :

Likewise, compounds of formula I wherein Q is Q2 (termed in the following corn- pounds I.B) can be prepared according to Scheme 2 below:

Scheme 2:

Likewise, compounds of formula I wherein Q is Q3 (termed in the following corn- pounds I.C) can be prepared according to Scheme 3 below: Scheme 3:

Likewise, compounds of formula I wherein Q is Q4 (termed in the following corn- pounds I.D) can be prepared according to Scheme 4 below:

Scheme 4:

5-Amino-tetrazole compounds of formula III can be reacted with benzoyl deriva- tives of formula II to afford compounds of formula I .A. Likewise, 5-amino-1 ,2,4-triazole compounds of formula IV can be reacted with benzoyl derivatives of formula II to afford compounds of formula I.B. Analogously, 4-amino-1 ,2,5-oxadiazole compounds of for- mula V can be reacted with benzoyl derivatives of formula II to afford compounds of the formula I.C. Likewise, 2-amino-1 ,3,4-oxadiazole compounds of formula VI can be re- acted with benzoyl derivatives of formula II to afford compounds of the formula I.D. In one embodiment, X is a leaving group, such as halogen, in particular Cl, an anhydride residue or an active ester residue. Especially in case of X being halogen, the reaction is suitably carried out in the presence of a base. Suitable bases are for example car- bonates, such as lithium, sodium or potassium carbonates, amines, such as trimethyl- amine or triethylamine, and basic N-heterocycles, such as pyridine, 2,6- dimethylpyridine or 2,4,6-trimethylpyridine. Suitable solvents are in particular aprotic solvents such as pentane, hexane, heptane, octane, cyclohexane, dichloromethane, chloroform, 1 ,2-dichlorethane, benzene, chlorobenzene, toluene, the xylenes, dichloro- benzene, trimethylbenzene, pyridine, 2,6-dimethylpyridine, 2,4,6-trimethylpyridine, ace- tonitrile, diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, 2-methyl tetrahydrofuran, methyl tert-butylether, 1 ,4-dioxane, N,N-dimethyl formamide, N-methyl pyrrolidinone or mixtures thereof. The starting materials are generally reacted with one another in equimolar or nearly equimolar amounts at a reaction temperature usually in the range of -20°C to 100°C and preferably in the range of -5°C to 50°C.

Alternatively, in compounds II X is OH. In this case, the reaction is preferably car- ried out in the presence of a suitable activating agent which converts the acid group of compound II into an activated ester or amide. For this purpose, activating agents known in the art, such as 1 ,1',carbonyldiimidazole (CDI), dicyclohexyl carbodiimide (DCC), 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC) or 2,4,6-tripropyl- 1 ,3, 5,2,4, 6-trioxathphosphohnane-2, 4, 6-trioxide (T3P) can be employed. The activated ester or amide can be formed, depending in particular on the specific activating agent used, either in situ by contacting compound II with the activating agent in the presence of compound III, IV, V or VI, or in a separate step prior to the reaction with compound III, IV, V or VI. It may be advantageous, especially in cases where DCC or EDC are used as activating agent, to include further additives in the activating reaction, such as hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt), nitrophenol, pentafluorophenol, 2,4,5-trichlorophenol or N-hydroxysuccinimide. It may further be advantageous to prepare the activated ester or amide in the presence of a base, for example a tertiary amine. The activated ester or amide is either in situ or subsequently reacted with the amine of formula III, IV, V or VI to afford the amide of formula I (I.A, I.B, I.C or I.D). The reaction normally takes place in anhydrous inert solvents, such as chlorinated hydrocarbons, e.g. dichloromethane or dichloroethane, ethers, e.g. tetrahydrofuran or 1 ,4-dioxane, or carboxamides, e.g. N,N- dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide or N-methylpyrrolidone. The reaction is ordinarily carried out at temperatures in the range from -20°C to +25°C.

The 5-amino-tetrazoles of formula III, where R ⁵ is, for example, hydrogen or an alkyl, are either commercially available or are obtainable according to methods known from the literature. For example, 5-amino-tetrazole carrying in the 1 -position a substituent R ⁵ can be prepared from 5-aminotetrazole according to the method described in the Jour- nal of the American Chemical Society, 1954, 76, 923-924 (Scheme 5). Scheme 5:

Alternatively, 5-amino-tetrazole compounds of formula III can be prepared ac- cording to the method described in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, 1954, 76, 88-89 (Scheme 6).

Scheme 6:

5-Amino-triazoles of formula IV are either commercially available or are obtaina- ble according to methods described in the literature. For example, the 5-amino-triazole of formula IV can be prepared from 5-aminotriazole according to the method described in Zeitschrift fur Chemie, 1990, 30, 12, 436-437, as shown in scheme 7.

Scheme 7:

Alternatively, 5-amino-triazole compounds of formula IV can also be prepared in analogy to the synthesis described in Chemische Berichte, 1964, 97, 2, 396-404, as shown in Scheme 8.

Scheme 8:

The compounds of formulae III, IV and V and the benzoic acid precursors of for- mulae II and V are either commercially available or can be prepared by processes known in the art or disclosed in the literature, e.g. in WO 9746530, WO 9831676, WO 9831681 , WO 2002/018352, WO 2000/003988, US 2007/0191335, US 6277847.

The 4-amino-1 ,2,5-oxadiazole compounds of the formula V are either commer- cially available or are obtainable according to methods known from the literature. For example, 3-alkyl-4-amino-1 ,2,5-oxadiazoles can be prepared from b-ketoesters pursu- ant to a procedure described in Russian Chemical Bulletin, Int. Ed., 54(4), 1032-1037 (2005), as depicted in Scheme 9.

Scheme 9:

Compounds of the formula V where R ⁵ is halogen can be prepared from com- mercially available 3,4-diamino-1 ,2,5-oxadiazole according to procedures described in the literature, e.g. by the Sandmeyer-type reaction disclosed in Heteroatom Chemistry, 15(3), 199-207 (2004), as shown in scheme 10.

Scheme 10:

Compounds of the formula V where R ⁵ is a nucleophilic residue can be prepared by introducing the nucleophilic residue via the substitution of a leaving group L, e.g. halogene, in the 4-position of the 1 ,2,5-oxadiazoles compounds of formula IX in ac- cordance to procedures disclosed, for example, in Journal of Chemical Research, Syn- opses (6), 190 (1985), in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya (9), 2086-8 (1986) or in Russian Chemical Bulletin (Translation of Izvestiya Akademii Nauk, Seriya Khimicheskaya), 53(3), 596-614 (2004), as shown in scheme 1 1. The reaction is generally carried out in the presence of a base.

Scheme 1 1 :

As a rule, the compounds of formula I including their stereoisomers, salts and tautomers, as well as their precursors in the synthesis process, can be prepared by the methods described above. If individual compounds cannot be prepared via the above- described routes, they can be prepared by derivatization of other compounds I or the respective precursor or by customary modifications of the synthesis routes described. For example, in individual cases, certain compounds of formula I can advantageously be prepared from other compounds of formula I by derivatization, e.g. by ester hydroly- sis, amidation, esterification, ether cleavage, olefination, reduction, oxidation and the like, or by customary modifications of the synthesis routes described.

The reaction mixtures are worked up in the customary manner, for example by mixing with water, separating the phases, and, if appropriate, purifying the crude prod- ucts by chromatography, for example on alumina or on silica gel. Some of the interme- diates and end products may be obtained in the form of colorless or pale brown viscous oils which are freed or purified from volatile components under reduced pressure and at moderately elevated temperature. If the intermediates and end products are ob- tained as solids, they may be purified by recrystallization or trituration.

The compounds of formula I and their agriculturally suitable salts are useful as herbicides. They are useful as such or as an appropriately formulated composition. The herbicidal compositions comprising the compound I, in particular the preferred aspects thereof, control vegetation on non-crop areas very efficiently, especially at high rates of application. They act against broad-leaved weeds and weed grasses in crops such as wheat, rice, corn, soybeans and cotton without causing any significant damage to the crop plants. This effect is mainly observed at low rates of application.

Depending on the application method in question, the compounds of formula I, in particular the preferred aspects thereof, or compositions comprising them can addition- ally be employed in a further number of crop plants for eliminating unwanted plants. Examples of suitable crops are the following:

Allium cepa, Ananas comosus, Arachis hypogaea, Asparagus officinalis, Avena sativa, Beta vulgaris spec altissima, Beta vulgaris spec rapa, Brassica napus var. na- pus, Brassica napus var. napobrassica, Brassica rapa var. silvestris, Brassica oleracea, Brassica nigra, Camellia sinensis, Carthamus tinctorius, Carya illinoinensis, Citrus limon, Citrus sinensis, Coffea arabica (Coffea canephora, Coffea liberica), Cu- cumis sativus, Cynodon dactylon, Daucus carota, Elaeis guineensis, Fragaria vesca, Glycine max, Gossypium hirsutum, (Gossypium arboreum, Gossypium herbaceum, Gossypium vitifolium), Helianthus annuus, Hevea brasiliensis, Hordeum vulgare, Hu- mulus lupulus, Ipomoea batatas, Juglans regia, Lens culinaris, Linum usitatissimum, Lycopersicon lycopersicum, Malus spec., Manihot esculenta, Medicago sativa, Musa spec., Nicotiana tabacum (N.rustica), Olea europaea, Oryza sativa, Phaseolus lunatus, Phaseolus vulgaris, Picea abies, Pinus spec., Pistacia vera, Pisum sativum, Prunus avium, Prunus persica, Pyrus communis, Prunus armeniaca, Prunus cerasus, Prunus dulcis and Prunus domestica, Ribes sylvestre, Ricinus communis, Saccharum offici- narum, Secale cereale, Sinapis alba, Solanum tuberosum, Sorghum bicolor

(s. vulgare), Theobroma cacao, Trifolium pratense, Triticum aestivum, Triticale, Triti- cum durum, Vicia faba, Vitis vinifera, Zea mays.

The term "crop plants" also includes plants which have been modified by breed- ing, mutagenesis or genetic engineering. Genetically modified plants are plants whose genetic material has been modified in a manner which does not occur under natural conditions by crossing, mutations or natural recombination (i.e. reassembly of the ge- netic information). Here, in general, one or more genes are integrated into the genetic material of the plant to improve the properties of the plant.

Accordingly, the term "crop plants" also includes plants which, by breeding and genetic engineering, have acquired tolerance to certain classes of herbicides, such as hydroxyphenyl pyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) inhibitors, acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors, such as, for example, sulfonylureas (EP-A-0257993, US 5,013,659) or imid- azolinones (see, for example, US 6,222,100, WO 01/82685, WO 00/26390,

WO 97/41218, WO 98/02526, WO 98/02527, WO 04/106529, WO 05/20673,

WO 03/14357, WO 03/13225, WO 03/14356, WO 04/16073), enolpyruvylshikimate 3- phosphate synthase (EPSPS) inhibitors, such as, for example, glyphosate (see, for example, WO 92/00377), glutamine synthetase (GS) inhibitors, such as, for example, glufosinate (see, for example, EP-A-0242236, EP-A-242246), or oxynil herbicides (see, for example, US 5,559,024).

In a preferred embodiment, the term "crop plants" refers to plants that comprise in their genomes a gene encoding a herbicide-tolerant wild-type or mutated HPPD pro- tein. Such a gene may be an endogenous gene or a transgene, as described hereinaf- ter.

By a "herbicide-tolerant" or "herbicide-resistant" plant, it is intended that a plant that is tolerant or resistant to at least one herbicide at a level that would normally kill, or inhibit the growth of, a normal or wild-type plant. By "herbicide-tolerant wild-type or mu- tated HPPD protein" or "herbicide -resistant wild-type or mutated HPPD protein", it is intended that such a HPPD protein displays higher HPPD activity, relative to the HPPD activity of a wild-type or reference HPPD protein, when in the presence of at least one herbicide that is known to interfere with HPPD activity and at a concentration or level of the herbicide that is known to inhibit the HPPD activity of the reference wild-type HPPD protein. Furthermore, the HPPD activity of such a herbicide-tolerant or herbicide- resistant HPPD protein may be referred to herein as "herbicide-tolerant" or "herbicide- resistant" HPPD activity.

The term "mutated HPPD nucleic acid" refers to an HPPD nucleic acid having a sequence that is mutated from a wild-type HPPD nucleic acid and that confers in- creased“ HPPD-inhibiting herbicide” tolerance to a plant in which it is expressed. Furthermore, the term“ mutated hydroxyphenyl pyruvate dioxygenase (mutated HPPD)” refers to the replacement of an amino acid of the wild-type primary sequenc- es SEQ ID NO: 2, 5, 8, 11 , 14, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 53, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61 , 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, a variant, a derivative, a homologue, an orthologue, or paralogue thereof, with another amino acid. The expres- sion "mutated amino acid" will be used below to designate the amino acid which is re- placed by another amino acid, thereby designating the site of the mutation in the prima- ry sequence of the protein.

Several HPPDs and their primary sequences have been described in the state of the art, in particular the HPPDs of bacteria such as Pseudomonas (Ruetschi etal., Eur.J.Biochem., 205, 459-466, 1992, W096/38567), of plants such as Arabidopsis (W096/38567, Genebank AF047834) or of carrot (W096/38567, Genebank 87257), of Coccicoides (Genebank COITRP), HPPDs of Brassica, cotton, Synechocystis, and tomato (US 7,297,541 ), of mammals such as the mouse or the pig. Furthermore, artifi cial HPPD sequences have been described, for example in US6,768,044;

US6,268,549;

In a preferred embodiment, the nucleotide sequence of (i) comprises the se- quence of SEQ ID NO: 1 , 51 , 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21 , 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 , 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 , 43, 45, 47, 49, 52, 54, 56, 68, 69 or a variant or derivative there- of.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD nucleic acid useful for the present invention comprises a mutated nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 52, or a variant or derivative thereof.

Furthermore, it will be understood by the person skilled in the art that the nucleo- tide sequences of (i) or (ii) encompass homologues, paralogues and orthologues of SEQ ID NO: 1 , 51 , 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21 , 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 , 33,

35, 37, 39, 41 , 43, 45, 47, 49, 52, 54, 56, 68, 69, as defined hereinafter.

The term "variant" with respect to a sequence (e.g., a polypeptide or nucleic acid sequence such as - for example - a transcription regulating nucleotide sequence of the invention) is intended to mean substantially similar sequences. For nucleotide se- quences comprising an open reading frame, variants include those sequences that, because of the degeneracy of the genetic code, encode the identical amino acid se- quence of the native protein. Naturally occurring allelic variants such as these can be identified with the use of well-known molecular biology techniques, as, for example, with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and hybridization techniques. Variant nucleotide sequences also include synthetically derived nucleotide sequences, such as those generated, for example, by using site-directed mutagenesis and for open reading frames, encode the native protein, as well as those that encode a polypeptide having amino acid substitutions relative to the native protein. Generally, nucleotide sequence variants of the invention will have at least 30, 40, 50, 60, to 70%, e.g., preferably 71 %, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, to 79%, generally at least 80%, e.g., 81 %- 84%, at least 85%, e.g., 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91 %, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%,

96%, 97%, to 98% and 99% nucleotide“ sequence identity” to the nucleotide se- quence of SEQ ID NO:1 , 51 , 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21 , 23, 25, 27, 29,

31 , 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 , 43, 45, 47, 49, 52, 54, 56, 68, 69, 47, or 49. By "variant" poly- peptide is intended a polypeptide derived from the protein of SEQ ID NO: 2, 5, 8, 11 ,

14, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 53, 55, 57, 58, 59,

60, 61 , 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, by deletion (so-called truncation) or addition of one or more amino acids to the N-terminal and/or C-terminal end of the native protein; deletion or addition of one or more amino acids at one or more sites in the native protein; or substitution of one or more amino acids at one or more sites in the native protein. Such variants may result from, for example, genetic polymorphism or from human manipula- tion. Methods for such manipulations are generally known in the art.

In a preferred embodiment, variants of the polynucleotides useful for the present invention will have at least 30, 40, 50, 60, to 70%, e.g., preferably 71 %, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, to 79%, generally at least 80%, e.g., 81 %-84%, at least 85%, e.g., 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91 %, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, to 98% and 99% nucleotide“ sequence identity” to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 , 47, 49, or SEQ ID NO: 52.

It is recognized that the polynucleotide molecules and polypeptides of the inven- tion encompass polynucleotide molecules and polypeptides comprising a nucleotide or an amino acid sequence that is sufficiently identical to nucleotide sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 1 , 51 , 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21 , 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 ,

33, 35, 37, 39, 41 , 43, 45, 47, 49, 52, 54, 56, 68, 69, 47, or 49, or to the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 2, 5, 8, 1 1 , 14, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 53, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61 , 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 48, or 50 . The term "sufficiently identical" is used herein to refer to a first amino acid or nu- cleotide sequence that contains a sufficient or minimum number of identical or equiva- lent (e.g., with a similar side chain) amino acid residues or nucleotides to a second amino acid or nucleotide sequence such that the first and second amino acid or nucleo- tide sequences have a common structural domain and/or common functional activity.

"Sequence identity" refers to the extent to which two optimally aligned DNA or amino acid sequences are invariant throughout a window of alignment of components, e.g., nucleotides or amino acids. An "identity fraction" for aligned segments of a test sequence and a reference sequence is the number of identical components that are shared by the two aligned sequences divided by the total number of components in reference sequence segment, i.e., the entire reference sequence or a smaller defined part of the reference sequence. "Percent identity" is the identity fraction times 100. Op- timal alignment of sequences for aligning a comparison window are well known to those skilled in the art and may be conducted by tools such as the local homology algo- rithm of Smith and Waterman, the homology alignment algorithm of Needleman and Wunsch, the search for similarity method of Pearson and Lipman, and preferably by computerized implementations of these algorithms such as GAP, BESTFIT, FASTA, and TFASTA available as part of the GCG. Wisconsin Package. (Accelrys Inc. Burling- ton, Mass.)

The terms "polynucleotide(s)", "nucleic acid sequence(s)", "nucleotide se- quence(s)", "nucleic acid(s) ", "nucleic acid molecule" are used interchangeably herein and refer to nucleotides, either ribonucleotides or deoxyribonucleotides or a combina- tion of both, in a polymeric unbranched form of any length.

"Derivatives" of a protein encompass peptides, oligopeptides, polypeptides, pro- teins and enzymes having amino acid substitutions, deletions and/or insertions relative to the unmodified protein in question and having similar biological and functional activi ty as the unmodified protein from which they are derived.

"Homologues" of a protein encompass peptides, oligopeptides, polypeptides, proteins and enzymes having amino acid substitutions, deletions and/or insertions rela- tive to the unmodified protein in question and having similar biological and functional activity as the unmodified protein from which they are derived.

A deletion refers to removal of one or more amino acids from a protein.

An insertion refers to one or more amino acid residues being introduced into a predetermined site in a protein. Insertions may comprise N-terminal and/or C-terminal fusions as well as intra-sequence insertions of single or multiple amino acids. General- ly, insertions within the amino acid sequence will be smaller than N- or C-terminal fu- sions, of the order of about 1 to 10 residues. Examples of N- or C-terminal fusion pro- teins or peptides include the binding domain or activation domain of a transcriptional activator as used in the yeast two-hybrid system, phage coat proteins, (histidine)-6-tag, glutathione S-transferase-tag, protein A, maltose-binding protein, dihydrofolate reduc- tase, Tag· 100 epitope, c-myc epitope, FLAG ^® -epitope, lacZ, CMP (calmodulin-binding peptide), HA epitope, protein C epitope and VSV epitope.

A substitution refers to replacement of amino acids of the protein with other ami- no acids having similar properties (such as similar hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, anti- genicity, propensity to form or break a -helical structures or b -sheet structures). Amino acid substitutions are typically of single residues, but may be clustered depending upon functional constraints placed upon the polypeptide and may range from 1 to 10 amino acids; insertions will usually be of the order of about 1 to 10 amino acid residues. The amino acid substitutions are preferably conservative amino acid substitutions. Con- servative substitution tables are well known in the art (see for example Creighton (1984) Proteins. W.H. Freeman and Company (Eds).

Amino acid substitutions, deletions and/or insertions may readily be made using peptide synthetic techniques well known in the art, such as solid phase peptide synthe- sis and the like, or by recombinant DNA manipulation. Methods for the manipulation of DNA sequences to produce substitution, insertion or deletion variants of a protein are well known in the art. For example, techniques for making substitution mutations at predetermined sites in DNA are well known to those skilled in the art and include M13 mutagenesis, T7-Gen in vitro mutagenesis (USB, Cleveland, OH), QuikChange Site Directed mutagenesis (Stratagene, San Diego, CA), PCR-mediated site-directed muta- genesis or other site-directed mutagenesis protocols.

"Derivatives" further include peptides, oligopeptides, polypeptides which may, compared to the amino acid sequence of the naturally-occurring form of the protein, such as the protein of interest, comprise substitutions of amino acids with non-naturally occurring amino acid residues, or additions of non-naturally occurring amino acid resi- dues. "Derivatives" of a protein also encompass peptides, oligopeptides, polypeptides which comprise naturally occurring altered (glycosylated, acylated, prenylated, phos- phorylated, myristoylated, sulphated etc.) or non-naturally altered amino acid residues compared to the amino acid sequence of a naturally-occurring form of the polypeptide. A derivative may also comprise one or more non-amino acid substituents or additions compared to the amino acid sequence from which it is derived, for example a reporter molecule or other ligand, covalently or non-covalently bound to the amino acid se- quence, such as a reporter molecule which is bound to facilitate its detection, and non- naturally occurring amino acid residues relative to the amino acid sequence of a natu- rally-occurring protein. Furthermore, "derivatives" also include fusions of the naturally- occurring form of the protein with tagging peptides such as FLAG, HIS6 or thioredoxin (for a review of tagging peptides, see Terpe, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 60, 523-533, 2003).

"Orthologues" and "paralogues" encompass evolutionary concepts used to de- scribe the ancestral relationships of genes. Paralogues are genes within the same species that have originated through duplication of an ancestral gene; orthologues are genes from different organisms that have originated through speciation, and are also derived from a common ancestral gene.

It is well-known in the art that paralogues and orthologues may share distinct domains harboring suitable amino acid residues at given sites, such as binding pockets for particular substrates or binding motifs for interaction with other proteins.

The term "domain" refers to a set of amino acids conserved at specific positions along an alignment of sequences of evolutionarily related proteins. While amino acids at other positions can vary between homologues, amino acids that are highly con- served at specific positions indicate amino acids that are likely essential in the struc- ture, stability or function of a protein. Identified by their high degree of conservation in aligned sequences of a family of protein homologues, they can be used as identifiers to determine if any polypeptide in question belongs to a previously identified polypeptide family.

The term "motif" or "consensus sequence" refers to a short conserved region in the sequence of evolutionarily related proteins. Motifs are frequently highly conserved parts of domains, but may also include only part of the domain, or be located outside of conserved domain (if all of the amino acids of the motif fall outside of a defined do- main).

Specialist databases exist for the identification of domains, for example, SMART (Schultz et al. (1998) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95, 5857-5864; Letunic et al. (2002) Nucleic Acids Res 30, 242-244), InterPro (Mulder et al., (2003) Nucl. Acids. Res. 31 , 315-318), Prosite (Bucher and Bairoch (1994), A generalized profile syntax for bio- molecular sequences motifs and its function in automatic sequence interpretation. (In) ISMB-94; Proceedings 2nd International Conference on Intelligent Systems for Molecu- lar Biology. Altman R., Brutlag D., Karp P., Lathrop R., Searls D., Eds., pp53-61 , AAAI Press, Menlo Park; Hulo et al., Nucl. Acids. Res. 32:D134-D137, (2004)), or Pfam (Bateman et al., Nucleic Acids Research 30(1): 276-280 (2002)). A set of tools for in silico analysis of protein sequences is available on the ExPASy proteomics server (Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (Gasteiger et al., ExPASy: the proteomics server for in-depth protein knowledge and analysis, Nucleic Acids Res. 31 :3784-3788(2003)). Domains or motifs may also be identified using routine techniques, such as by se- quence alignment.

Methods for the alignment of sequences for comparison are well known in the art, such methods include GAP, BESTFIT, BLAST, FASTA and TFASTA. GAP uses the algorithm of Needleman and Wunsch ((1970) J Mol Biol 48: 443-453) to find the global (i.e. spanning the complete sequences) alignment of two sequences that maximizes the number of matches and minimizes the number of gaps. The BLAST algorithm (Alt- schul et al. (1990) J Mol Biol 215: 403-10) calculates percent sequence identity and performs a statistical analysis of the similarity between the two sequences. The soft- ware for performing BLAST analysis is publicly available through the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Homologues may readily be identified using, for example, the ClustalW multiple sequence alignment algorithm (version 1.83), with the default pairwise alignment parameters, and a scoring method in percentage. Global percentages of similarity and identity may also be determined using one of the methods available in the MatGAT software package (Campanella et al., BMC Bioinformatics. 2003 Jul 10;4:29. MatGAT: an application that generates similarity/identity matrices using protein or DNA sequences.). Minor manual editing may be performed to optimise alignment between conserved motifs, as would be apparent to a person skilled in the art. Furthermore, instead of using full-length sequences for the identification of homo- logues, specific domains may also be used. The sequence identity values may be de- termined over the entire nucleic acid or amino acid sequence or over selected domains or conserved motif(s), using the programs mentioned above using the default parame- ters. For local alignments, the Smith-Waterman algorithm is particularly useful (Smith TF, Waterman MS (1981 ) J. Mol. Biol 147(1 ); 195-7).

By substituting one or more of the key amino acid residues, the herbicide toler- ance or resistance of a plant to the herbicide as described herein could be remarkably increased as compared to the activity of the wild type HPPD enzymes with SEQ ID NO: 2, 5, 8, 11 , 14, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 53, 55,

57, 58, 59, 60, 61 , 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67. Preferred substitutions of mutated HPPD are those that increase the herbicide tolerance of the plant, but leave the biological activitiy of the dioxygenase activity substantially unaffected.

It will be understood by the person skilled in the art that amino acids located in a close proximity to the positions of amino acids mentioned below may also be substitut- ed. Thus, in another embodiment the mutated HPPD useful for the present invention comprises a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 5, 8, 1 1 , 14, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32,

34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 53, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61 , 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, or a variant, derivative, orthologue, paralogue or homologue thereof, wherein an amino acid ±3, ±2 or ±1 amino acid positions from a key amino acid is substituted by any other amino acid.

Based on techniques well-known in the art, a highly characteristic sequence pat- tern can be developed, by means of which further of mutated HPPD candidates with the desired activity may be searched.

Searching for further mutated HPPD candidates by applying a suitable sequence pattern would also be encompassed by the present invention. It will be understood by a skilled reader that the present sequence pattern is not limited by the exact distances between two adjacent amino acid residues of said pattern. Each of the distances be- tween two neighbours in the above patterns may, for example, vary independently of each other by up to ±10, ± 5, ±3, ±2 or ±1 amino acid positions without substantially affecting the desired activity.

In line with said above functional and spatial analysis of individual amino acid residues based on the crystallographic data as obtained according to the present in- vention, unique partial amino acid sequences characteristic of potentially useful mutat- ed HPPD candidates of the invention may be identified.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD refers to a variant or derivative of SEQ ID NO: 2 wherein the substitutions are selected from the following Table 4a.

Table 4a: (Sequence ID No: 2): single amino acid substitutions

Furthermore, by substituting at least two of the key amino acid residues of SEQ ID NO: 2 with specific residues, the herbicide tolerance or resistance could be remark- ably increased as compared to the activity of the wild type HPPD enzymes or HPPD enzymes in which only one amino acid residue had been substituted. Therefore, in an- other preferred embodiment, the variant or derivative of the mutated HPPD refers to a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein two, three, four or five key amino acids are sub- stituted by another amino acid residue. Particularly preferred double, triple, quadruple, or quintuple mutations are described in Table 4b.

Table 4b: (with reference to Sequence ID No: 2): combined amino acid substitutions

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD enzyme comprising a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2, a variant, derivative, homologue, paralogue or orthologue thereof, useful for the present invention comprises one or more of the fol- lowing: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 320 is histidine, asparagine or glutamine; the amino acid position 334 is glutamic acid; the amino acid position 353 is methionine; the amino acid corresponding to or at position 321 alanine or arginine; the amino acid corresponding to or at position 212 is isoleucine.

In an especially particularly preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD refers to a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the leucine corresponding to or at posi- tion 320 is substituted by a histidine, and the proline corresponding to or at position 321 is substituted by an alanine.

In another especially particularly preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD re- fers to a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein Leucine corresponding to or at position 353 is substituted by a Methionine, the Proline corresponding to or at position 321 is substituted by an Arginine, and the Leucine corresponding to or at position 320 is substituted by an Asparagine. In another especially particularly preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD re- fers to a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the Leucine corresponding to or at position 353 is substituted by a Methionine, the Proline corresponding to or at position 321 is substituted by an Arginine, and the Leucine corresponding to or at posi- tion 320 is substituted by a glutamine.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD refers to a variant or deriva- tive of SEQ ID NO: 53 wherein the substitutions are selected from the following Table 4c. Table 4c: (Sequence ID No: 53): single amino acid substitutions

In another preferred embodiment, the variant or derivative of the mutated HPPD useful for the present invention refers to a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 53, a homo- logue, orthologue, or paralogue thereof, wherein two, three, four or five key amino ac- ids are substituted by another amino acid residue. Particularly preferred double, triple, quadruple, or quintuple mutations are described in Table 4d.

Table 4d: (reference to Sequence ID No: 53): combined amino acid substitutions

Furthermore, by substituting the amino acids at some positions in the HPPD pol- ypeptide sequences of Scenedesmus obliquus, the tolerance of crop plants as de- scribed herein towards the herbicides as described herein could be remarkably in- creased.

Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD of the present invention comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, which comprises one or more of the following:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 30 is other than proline, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 39 is other than Phe, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 54 is other than Gly, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 57 is other than Met, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 84 is other than Phe, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 210 is other than Val, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 212 is other than Asn, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 223 is other than Val, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 243 is other than Val, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 247 is other than Leu, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 249 is other than Ser, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 251 is other than Val, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 264 is other than Asn, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 291 is other than Leu, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 306 is other than His, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 317 is other than Gin, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 318 is other than Ala, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 319 is other than Ala, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 321 is other than Gly, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 326 is other than Lys, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 327 is other than Arg, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 331 is other than Lys, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 341 is other than Trp, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 342 is other than Ala, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 345 is other than Glu, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 350 is other than Leu, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 363 is other than Phe, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 367 is other than Leu, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 373 is other than lie, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 374 is other than Phe, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 375 is other than lie, the amino acid cor- responding to or at position 379 is other than Glu, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 405 is other than Gly, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 407 is other than Phe, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 410 is other than Gly, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 412 is other than Phe, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 414 is other than Glu, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 419 is other than lie, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 421 is other than Glu, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 422 is other than Tyr.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 367 is Val, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 375 is Leu.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 367 is Val, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 375 is Leu, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 39 is Leu.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 367 is Val, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 375 is Leu, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 39 is Trp.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 345 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys,

Gin, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val, particularly pre- ferred Gin

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 345 is Gin, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 341 is lie.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 345 is Gin, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 326 is Glu.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 345 is Gin, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 326 is Asp. In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 345 is Gin, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 326 is Gin.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 318 is Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val, particularly pre- ferred Pro.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 319 is Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, Val, particularly preferred Pro.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 318 is Pro, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 319 is Pro.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 321 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys,

Gin, Glu, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 350 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys,

Gin, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val, particularly pre- ferred Met.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 405 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys,

Gin, Glu, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 251 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys,

Gin, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, or Tyr, particularly pre- ferred Ala.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 317 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys,

Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val, particularly pre- ferred His or Met.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 379 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys,

Gin, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val, particularly pre- ferred Gin.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 350 is Met, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 318 is Arg.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 350 is Met, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 318 is Gly.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 350 is Met, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 318 is Arg, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 317 is Asn.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 210 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys,

Gin, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, or Tyr.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 317 is His, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 318 is Gly, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 345 is Gin.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 317 is Met, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 318 is Gly, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 345 is Gin.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 363 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys,

Gin, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val, particularly pre- ferred lie.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 419 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys,

Gin, Glu, Gly, His, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val, particularly pre- ferred Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 249 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys,

Gin, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 247 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys,

Gin, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 407 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys,

Gin, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 306 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys,

Gin, Glu, Gly, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val, particularly pre- ferred Lys.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 30 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 54 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 57 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 84 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 212 is Ala, Arg, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 223 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys,

Gin, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, or Tyr.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 243 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys,

Gin, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, or Tyr.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 264 is Ala, Arg, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 291 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys,

Gin, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 327 is Ala, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin,

Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 331 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys,

Gin, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 342 is Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin,

Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 373 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys,

Gin, Glu, Gly, His, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 374 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys,

Gin, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 410 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys,

Gin, Glu, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 412 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys,

Gin, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 414 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys,

Gin, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 421 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys,

Gin, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 422 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys,

Gin, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 251 is Ala, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 405 is Asp.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 327 is Gly, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 421 is Asp.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 251 is Ala, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 306 is Arg, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 317 is Leu, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 318 is Pro, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 321 is Pro, and the amino acid corre- sponding to or at position 331 is Glu, and the amino acid corresponding to or at posi- tion 350 is Met.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 407 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys,

Gin, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

Following mutagenesis of one of the sequences as shown herein, the encoded protein can be expressed recombinantly and the activity of the protein can be deter- mined using, for example, assays described herein.

It will be within the knowledge of the skilled artisan to identify conserved regions and motifs shared between the homologues, orthologues and paralogues of of SEQ ID NO: 2, 5, 8, 1 1 , 14, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 53, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61 , 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, and respectively SEQ ID NO: 48 or 50. Having identified such conserved regions that may represent suitable binding motifs, amino acids corresponding to the amino acids listed in Table 4a and 4b, 4c, and 4d can be chosen to be substituted by any other amino acid by conserved amino acids, and more preferably by the amino acids of tables 4a and 4b, 4c, and 4d.

Numerous crop plants, for example Clearfield® oilseed rape, tolerant to imidazo- linones, for example imazamox, have been generated with the aid of classic breeding methods (mutagenesis). Crop plants such as soybeans, cotton, corn, beet and oilseed rape, resistant to glyphosate or glufosinate, which are available under the tradenames RoundupReady ^® (glyphosate) and Liberty Link ^® (glufosinate) have been generated with the aid of genetic engineering methods.

Accordingly, the term "crop plants" also includes plants which, with the aid of ge- netic engineering, produce one or more toxins, for example those of the bacterial strain Bacillus ssp. Toxins which are produced by such genetically modified plants include, for example, insecticidal proteins of Bacillus spp., in particular B. thuringiensis, such as the endotoxins CrylAb, CrylAc, Cry1 F, Cry1 Fa2, Cry2Ab, Cry3A, Cry3Bb1 , Cry9c, Cry34Ab1 or Cry35Ab1 ; or vegetative insecticidal proteins (VIPs), for example VIP1 , VIP2, VIP3, or VIP3A; insecticidal proteins of nematode-colonizing bacteria, for exam- pie Photorhabdus spp. or Xenorhabdus spp., toxins of animal organisms, for example wasp, spider or scorpion toxins; fungal toxins, for example from Streptomycetes; plant lectins, for example from peas or barley; agglutinins; proteinase inhibitors, for example trypsin inhibitors, serine protease inhibitors, patatin, cystatin or papain inhibitors, ribo- some-inactivating proteins (RIPs), for example ricin, corn-RIP, abrin, luffin, saporin or bryodin; steroid-metabolizing enzymes, for example 3-hydroxysteroid oxidase, ecdys- teroid-IDP glycosyl transferase, cholesterol oxidase, ecdysone inhibitors, or HMG-CoA reductase; ion channel blockers, for example inhibitors of sodium channels or calcium channels; juvenile hormone esterase; receptors of the diuretic hormone (helicokinin receptors); stilbene synthase, bibenzyl synthase, chitinases and glucanases. In the plants, these toxins may also be produced as pretoxins, hybrid proteins or truncated or otherwise modified proteins. Hybrid proteins are characterized by a novel combination of different protein domains (see, for example, WO 2002/015701 ). Further examples of such toxins or genetically modified plants which produce these toxins are disclosed in EP-A 374 753, WO 93/007278, WO 95/34656, EP-A 427 529, EP-A 451 878,

WO 03/018810 and WO 03/052073. The methods for producing these genetically modified plants are known to the person skilled in the art and disclosed, for example, in the publications mentioned above. Numerous of the toxins mentioned above bestow, upon the plants by which they are produced, tolerance to pests from all taxonomic classes of arthropods, in particular to beetles (Coeleropta), dipterans (Diptera) and butterflies (Lepidoptera) and to nematodes (Nematoda).

Genetically modified plants which produce one or more genes coding for insecti- cidal toxins are described, for example, in the publications mentioned above, and some of them are commercially available, such as, for example, YieldGard ^® (corn varieties producing the toxin CrylAb), YieldGard ^® Plus (corn varieties which produce the toxins CrylAb and Cry3Bb1 ), Starlink ^® (corn varieties which produce the toxin Cry9c), Hercu- lex ^® RW (corn varieties which produce the toxins Cry34Ab1 , Cry35Ab1 and the enzyme phosphinothricin-N-acetyltransferase [PAT]); NuCOTN ^® 33B (cotton varieties which produce the toxin CrylAc), Bollgard ^® I (cotton varieties which produce the toxin

Cry1 Ac), Bollgard ^® II (cotton varieties which produce the toxins CrylAc and Cry2Ab2); VIPCOT ^® (cotton varieties which produce a VIP toxin); NewLeaf ^® (potato varieties which produce the toxin Cry3A); Bt-Xtra ^® , NatureGard ^® , KnockOut ^® , BiteGard ^® , Pro- tecta ^® , Bt1 1 (for example Agrisure ^® CB) and Bt176 from Syngenta Seeds SAS, France (corn varieties which produce the toxin CrylAb and the PAT enyzme), MIR604 from Syngenta Seeds SAS, France (corn varieties which produce a modified version of the toxin Cry3A, see WO 03/018810), MON 863 from Monsanto Europe S.A., Belgium (corn varieties which produce the toxin Cry3Bb1 ), IPC 531 from Monsanto Europe S.A., Belgium (cotton varieties which produce a modified version of the toxin CrylAc) and 1507 from Pioneer Overseas Corporation, Belgium (corn varieties which produce the toxin Cry1 F and the PAT enzyme).

Accordingly, the term "crop plants" also includes plants which, with the aid of ge- netic engineering, produce one or more proteins which are more robust or have in- creased resistance to bacterial, viral or fungal pathogens, such as, for example, patho- genesis-related proteins (PR proteins, see EP-A 0 392 225), resistance proteins (for example potato varieties producing two resistance genes against Phytophthora in- festans from the wild Mexican potato Solarium bu!bocastanum) or T4 lysozyme (for example potato cultivars which, by producing this protein, are resistant to bacteria such as Erwinia amylvora).

Accordingly, the term "crop plants" also includes plants whose productivity has been improved with the aid of genetic engineering methods, for example by enhancing the potential yield (for example biomass, grain yield, starch, oil or protein content), tol- erance to drought, salt or other limiting environmental factors or resistance to pests and fungal, bacterial and viral pathogens.

The term "crop plants" also includes plants whose ingredients have been modi- fied with the aid of genetic engineering methods in particular for improving human or animal diet, for example by oil plants producing health-promoting long-chain omega 3 fatty acids or monounsaturated omega 9 fatty acids (for example Nexera ^® oilseed rape).

The term "crop plants" also includes plants which have been modified with the aid of genetic engineering methods for improving the production of raw materials, for ex- ample by increasing the amylopectin content of potatoes (Amflora ^® potato).

Furthermore, it has been found that the compounds of formula I are also suitable for the defoliation and/or desiccation of plant parts, for which crop plants such as cotton, potato, oilseed rape, sunflower, soybean or field beans, in particular cotton, are suitable. In this regard, there have been found compositions for the desiccation and/or defoliation of plants, processes for preparing these compositions and methods for desiccating and/or defoliating plants using the compounds of formula I.

As desiccants, the compounds of formula I are particularly suitable for desiccating the above-ground parts of crop plants such as potato, oilseed rape, sunflower and soybean, but also cereals. This makes possible the fully mechanical harvesting of these important crop plants.

Also of economic interest is to facilitate harvesting, which is made possible by concentrating within a certain period of time the dehiscence, or reduction of adhesion to the tree, in citrus fruit, olives and other species and varieties of pomaceous fruit, stone fruit and nuts. The same mechanism, i.e. the promotion of the development of abscission tissue between fruit part or leaf part and shoot part of the plants is also essential for the readily controllable defoliation of useful plants, in particular cotton.

Moreover, a shortening of the time interval in which the individual cotton plants mature leads to an increased fiber quality after harvesting.

In a specific embodiment, the compounds according to the invention, the N- oxides or agriculturally suitable salts thereof are used for controlling at least one of the following undesired plants: Alopecurus myosuroiedes, Echinocloa crus-galli,

Amaranthus retroflexus, Chenopodium album.

The compounds of formula I, or the herbicidal compositions comprising the compounds of formula I, can be used, for example, in the form of ready-to-spray aqueous solutions, powders, suspensions, also highly concentrated aqueous, oily or other suspensions or dispersions, emulsions, oil dispersions, pastes, dusts, materials for broadcasting, or granules, by means of spraying, atomizing, dusting, spreading, watering or treatment of the seed or mixing with the seed. The use forms depend on the intended purpose; in each case, they should ensure the finest possible distribution of the active ingredients according to the invention.

The herbicidal compositions comprise a herbicidally effective amount of at least one compound of the formula I or an agriculturally useful salt of I, and auxiliaries which are customary for the formulation of crop protection agents.

Examples of auxiliaries customary for the formulation of crop protection agents are inert auxiliaries, solid carriers, surfactants (such as dispersants, protective colloids, emulsifiers, wetting agents and tackifiers), organic and inorganic thickeners, bactericides, antifreeze agents, antifoams, if appropriate colorants and, for seed formulations, adhesives.

Examples of thickeners (i.e. compounds which impart to the formulation modified flow properties, i.e. high viscosity in the state of rest and low viscosity in motion) are polysaccharides, such as xanthan gum (Kelzan® from Kelco), Rhodopol® 23 (Rhone Poulenc) or Veegum® (from R.T. Vanderbilt), and also organic and inorganic sheet minerals, such as Attaclay® (from Engelhardt).

Examples of antifoams are silicone emulsions (such as, for example, Silikon ^® SRE, Wacker or Rhodorsil® from Rhodia), long-chain alcohols, fatty acids, salts of fatty acids, organofluorine compounds and mixtures thereof.

Bactericides can be added for stabilizing the aqueous herbicidal formulation. Examples of bactericides are bactericides based on diclorophen and benzyl alcohol hemiformal (Proxel® from ICI or Acticide® RS from Thor Chemie and Kathon® MK from Rohm & Haas), and also isothiazolinone derivates, such as alkylisothiazolinones and benzisothiazolinones (Acticide MBS from Thor Chemie).

Examples of antifreeze agents are ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, urea or glycerol.

Examples of colorants are both sparingly water-soluble pigments and water- soluble dyes. Examples which may be mentioned are the dyes known under the names Rhodamin B, C.l. Pigment Red 1 12 and C.l. Solvent Red 1 , and also pigment blue 15:4, pigment blue 15:3, pigment blue 15:2, pigment blue 15:1 , pigment blue 80, pigment yellow 1 , pigment yellow 13, pigment red 1 12, pigment red 48:2, pigment red 48:1 , pigment red 57:1 , pigment red 53:1 , pigment orange 43, pigment orange 34, pigment orange 5, pigment green 36, pigment green 7, pigment white 6, pigment brown 25, basic violet 10, basic violet 49, acid red 51 , acid red 52, acid red 14, acid blue 9, acid yellow 23, basic red 10, basic red 108.

Examples of adhesives are polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol and tylose.

Suitable inert auxiliaries are, for example, the following:

mineral oil fractions of medium to high boiling point, such as kerosene and diesel oil, furthermore coal tar oils and oils of vegetable or animal origin, aliphatic, cyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons, for example paraffin, tetrahydronaphthalene, alkylated naphthalenes and their derivatives, alkylated benzenes and their derivatives, alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol and cyclohexanol, ketones such as cyclohexanone or strongly polar solvents, for example amines such as N- methylpyrrolidone, and water.

Solid carriers are mineral earths such as silicas, silica gels, silicates, talc, kaolin, limestone, lime, chalk, bole, loess, clay, dolomite, diatomaceous earth, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate and magnesium oxide, ground synthetic materials, fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate and ureas, and products of vegetable origin, such as cereal meal, tree bark meal, wood meal and nutshell meal, cellulose powders, or other solid carriers.

Suitable surfactants (adjuvants, wetting agents, tackifiers, dispersants and also emulsifiers) are the alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts and ammonium salts of aromatic sulfonic acids, for example lignosulfonic acids (e.g. Borrespers-types, Borregaard), phenolsulfonic acids, naphthalenesulfonic acids (Morwet types, Akzo Nobel) and dibutylnaphthalenesulfonic acid (Nekal types, BASF SE), and of fatty acids, alkyl- and alkylarylsulfonates, alkyl sulfates, lauryl ether sulfates and fatty alcohol sulfates, and salts of sulfated hexa-, hepta- and octadecanols, and also of fatty alcohol glycol ethers, condensates of sulfonated naphthalene and its derivatives with formaldehyde, condensates of naphthalene or of the naphthalenesulfonic acids with phenol and formaldehyde, polyoxyethylene octylphenol ether, ethoxylated isooctyl-, octyl- or nonylphenol, alkylphenyl or tributylphenyl polyglycol ether, alkylaryl polyether alcohols, isotridecyl alcohol, fatty alcohol/ethylene oxide condensates, ethoxylated castor oil, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers or polyoxypropylene alkyl ethers, lauryl alcohol polyglycol ether acetate, sorbitol esters, lignosulfite waste liquors and proteins, denatured proteins, polysaccharides (e.g. methylcellulose), hydrophobically modified starches, polyvinyl alcohol (Mowiol types Clariant), polycarboxylates (BASF SE, Sokalan types), polyalkoxylates, polyvinylamine (BASF SE, Lupamine types), polyethyleneimine (BASF SE, Lupasol types), polyvinylpyrrolidone and copolymers thereof.

Powders, materials for broadcasting and dusts can be prepared by mixing or grinding the active ingredients together with a solid carrier.

Granules, for example coated granules, impregnated granules and homogeneous granules, can be prepared by binding the active ingredients to solid carriers.

Aqueous use forms can be prepared from emulsion concentrates, suspensions, pastes, wettable powders or water-dispersible granules by adding water. To prepare emulsions, pastes or oil dispersions, the compounds of formula I or la, either as such or dissolved in an oil or solvent, can be homogenized in water by means of a wetting agent, tackifier, dispersant or emulsifier. Alternatively, it is also possible to prepare concentrates comprising active substance, wetting agent, tackifier, dispersant or emulsifier and, if desired, solvent or oil, which are suitable for dilution with water.

The concentrations of the compounds of formula I in the ready-to-use

preparations can be varied within wide ranges. In general, the formulations comprise from 0.001 to 98% by weight, preferably 0.01 to 95% by weight of at least one active compound. The active compounds are employed in a purity of from 90% to 100%, preferably 95% to 100% (according to NMR spectrum).

The formulations or ready-to-use preparations may also comprise acids, bases or buffer systems, suitable examples being phosphoric acid or sulfuric acid, or urea or ammonia.

The compounds of formula I of the invention can for example be formulated as follows:

1. Products for dilution with water

A. Water-soluble concentrates

10 parts by weight of active compound are dissolved in 90 parts by weight of wa- ter or a water-soluble solvent. As an alternative, wetters or other adjuvants are added. The active compound dissolves upon dilution with water. This gives a formulation with an active compound content of 10% by weight.

B. Dispersible concentrates

20 parts by weight of active compound are dissolved in 70 parts by weight of cy- clohexanone with addition of 10 parts by weight of a dispersant, for example polyvi- nylpyrrolidone. Dilution with water gives a dispersion. The active compound content is 20% by weight.

C. Emulsifiable concentrates

15 parts by weight of active compound are dissolved in 75 parts by weight of an organic solvent (e.g. alkylaromatics) with addition of calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate and castor oil ethoxylate (in each case 5 parts by weight). Dilution with water gives an emulsion. The formulation has an active compound content of 15% by weight.

D. Emulsions

25 parts by weight of active compound are dissolved in 35 parts by weight of an organic solvent (e.g. alkylaromatics) with addition of calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate and castor oil ethoxylate (in each case 5 parts by weight). This mixture is introduced into 30 parts by weight of water by means of an emulsifier (e.g. Ultraturrax) and made into a homogeneous emulsion. Dilution with water gives an emulsion. The formulation has an active compound content of 25% by weight. E. Suspensions

In an agitated ball mill, 20 parts by weight of active compound are comminuted with addition of 10 parts by weight of dispersants and wetters and 70 parts by weight of water or an organic solvent to give a fine active compound suspension. Dilution with water gives a stable suspension of the active compound. The active compound content in the formulation is 20% by weight.

F. Water-dispersible granules and water-soluble granules

50 parts by weight of active compound are ground finely with addition of 50 parts by weight of dispersants and wetters and made into water-dispersible or water-soluble granules by means of technical appliances (for example extrusion, spray tower, fluid- ized bed). Dilution with water gives a stable dispersion or solution of the active corn- pound. The formulation has an active compound content of 50% by weight.

G. Water-dispersible powders and water-soluble powders

75 parts by weight of active compound are ground in a rotor-stator mill with addi- tion of 25 parts by weight of dispersants, wetters and silica gel. Dilution with water gives a stable dispersion or solution of the active compound. The active compound content of the formulation is 75% by weight.

H. Gel formulations

In a ball mill, 20 parts by weight of active compound, 10 parts by weight of dis- persant, 1 part by weight of gelling agent and 70 parts by weight of water or of an or- ganic solvent are ground to give a fine suspension. Dilution with water gives a stable suspension with active compound content of 20% by weight.

2. Products to be applied undiluted

I. Dusts

5 parts by weight of active compound are ground finely and mixed intimately with 95 parts by weight of finely divided kaolin. This gives a dusting powder with an active compound content of 5% by weight.

J. Granules (GR, FG, GG, MG)

0.5 parts by weight of active compound are ground finely and associated with 99.5 parts by weight of carriers. Current methods here are extrusion, spray-drying or the fluidized bed. This gives granules to be applied undiluted with an active compound content of 0.5% by weight.

K. ULV solutions (UL)

10 parts by weight of active compound are dissolved in 90 parts by weight of an organic solvent, for example xylene. This gives a product to be applied undiluted with an active compound content of 10% by weight.

The compounds of formula I or the herbicidal compositions comprising them can be applied pre- or post-emergence, or together with the seed of a crop plant. It is also possible to apply the herbicidal compositions or active compounds by applying seed, pretreated with the herbicidal compositions or active compounds, of a crop plant. If the active compounds are less well tolerated by certain crop plants, application techniques may be used in which the herbicidal compositions are sprayed, with the aid of the spraying equipment, in such a way that as far as possible they do not come into contact with the leaves of the sensitive crop plants, while the active compounds reach the leaves of undesirable plants growing underneath, or the bare soil surface (post- directed, lay-by).

In a further embodiment, the compounds of formula I or the herbicidal composi- tions can be applied by treating seed.

The treatment of seed comprises essentially all procedures familiar to the person skilled in the art (seed dressing, seed coating, seed dusting, seed soaking, seed film coating, seed multilayer coating, seed encrusting, seed dripping and seed pelleting) based on the compounds of formula I according to the invention or the compositions prepared therefrom. Here, the herbicidal compositions can be applied diluted or undi- luted.

The term seed comprises seed of all types, such as, for example, corns, seeds, fruits, tubers, cuttings and similar forms. Here, preferably, the term seed describes corns and seeds.

The seed used can be seed of the useful plants mentioned above, but also the seed of transgenic plants or plants obtained by customary breeding methods.

The rates of application of active compound are from 0.001 to 3.0, preferably 0.01 to 1.0, kg/ha of active substance (a.s.), depending on the control target, the season, the target plants and the growth stage. To treat the seed, the compounds of formula I are generally employed in amounts of from 0.001 to 10 kg per 100 kg of seed.

It may also be advantageous to use the compounds of formula I in combination with safeners. Safeners are chemical compounds which prevent or reduce damage to useful plants without substantially affecting the herbicidal action of the compounds of formula I on unwanted plants. They can be used both before sowing (for example in the treatment of seed, or on cuttings or seedlings) and before or after the emergence of the useful plant. The safeners and the compounds of formula I can be used simultaneously or in succession.

Suitable safeners are, for example, (quinolin-8-oxy)acetic acids, 1-phenyl-5- haloalkyl-1 H- 1 ,2,4-triazole-3-carboxylic acids, 1 -phenyl-4, 5-d i hyd ro-5-a I kyl- 1 H- pyrazole-3,5-dicarboxylic acids, 4,5-dihydro-5,5-diaryl-3-isoxazolecarboxylic acids, di- chloroacetamides, alpha-oximinophenylacetonitriles, acetophenone oximes, 4,6-dihalo- 2-phenylpyrimidines, N-[[4-(aminocarbonyl)phenyl]sulfonyl]-2-benzamides, 1 ,8- naphthalic anhydride, 2-halo-4-(haloalkyl)-5-thiazolecarboxylic acids, phosphorothio- lates and O-phenyl N-alkylcarbamates and their agriculturally useful salts and, provided that they have an acid function, their agriculturally useful derivatives, such as amides, esters and thioesters.

To broaden the activity spectrum and to obtain synergistic effects, the corn- pounds of the formula I can be mixed and/or jointly applied with numerous representa- tives of other herbicidal or growth-regulating groups of active compounds or with saf- eners. Suitable mixing partners are, for example, 1 ,2,4-thiadiazoles, 1 ,3,4-thiadiazoles, amides, aminophosphoric acid and its derivatives, aminotriazoles, anilides, ar- yloxy/heteroaryloxyalkanoic acids and their derivatives, benzoic acid and its deriva- tives, benzothiadiazinones, 2-(hetaroyl/aroyl)-1 ,3-cyclohexanediones, heteroaryl aryl ketones, benzylisoxazolidinones, meta-CF3-phenyl derivatives, carbamates, quinoline carboxylic acid and its derivatives, chloroacetanilides, cyclohexenone oxime ether deri- vates, diazines, dichloropropionic acid and its derivatives, dihydrobenzofurans, dihydro- furan-3-ones, dinitroanilines, dinitrophenols, diphenyl ethers, dipyridyls, halocarboxylic acids and their derivatives, ureas, 3-phenyluracils, imidazoles, imidazolinones, N- phenyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalimides, oxadiazoles, oxiranes, phenols, aryloxy- and heteroaryloxyphenoxypropionic esters, phenylacetic acid and its derivatives, 2-phenyl- propionic acid and its derivatives, pyrazoles, phenylpyrazoles, pyridazines, pyridine- carboxylic acid and its derivatives, pyrimidyl ethers, sulfonamides, sulfonylureas, tria- zines, triazinones, triazolinones, triazolecarboxamides, uracils and also phenyl- pyrazolines and isoxazolines and their derivatives.

Moreover, it may be useful to apply the compounds of formula I alone or in com- bination with other herbicides or else also mixed with further crop protection agents, jointly, for example with compositions for controlling pests or phytopathogenic fungi or bacteria. Also of interest is the miscibility with mineral salt solutions which are em- ployed for alleviating nutritional and trace element deficiencies. Other additives such as nonphytotoxic oils and oil concentrates may also be added.

Examples of herbicides which can be used in combination with the benzamide compounds of formula I according to the present invention are:

b1 ) from the group of the lipid biosynthesis inhibitors:

alloxydim, alloxydim-sodium, butroxydim, clethodim, clodinafop, clodinafop- propargyl, cycloxydim, cyhalofop, cyhalofop-butyl, diclofop, diclofop-methyl, fenoxa- prop, fenoxaprop-ethyl, fenoxaprop-P, fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, fluazifop, fluazifop-butyl, fluazifop-P, fluazifop-P-butyl, haloxyfop, haloxyfop-methyl, haloxyfop-P, haloxyfop-P- methyl, metamifop, pinoxaden, profoxydim, propaquizafop, quizalofop, quizalofop-ethyl, quizalofop-tefuryl, quizalofop-P, quizalofop-P-ethyl, quizalofop-P-tefuryl, sethoxydim, tepraloxydim, tralkoxydim, benfuresate, butylate, cycloate, dalapon, dimepiperate, EPTC, esprocarb, ethofumesate, flupropanate, molinate, orbencarb, pebulate, prosul- focarb, TCA, thiobencarb, tiocarbazil, triallate and vernolate;

b2) from the group of the ALS inhibitors:

amidosulfuron, azimsulfuron, bensulfuron, bensulfuron-methyl, bispyribac, bispyribac-sodium, chlorimuron, chlorimuron-ethyl, chlorsulfuron, cinosulfuron, cloran- sulam, cloransulam-methyl, cyclosulfamuron, diclosulam, ethametsulfuron, ethametsul- furon-methyl, ethoxysulfuron, flazasulfuron, florasulam, flucarbazone, flucarbazone- sodium, flucetosulfuron, flumetsulam, flupyrsulfuron, flupyrsulfuron-methyl-sodium, foramsulfuron, halosulfuron, halosulfuron-methyl, imazamethabenz, imazamethabenz- methyl, imazamox, imazapic, imazapyr, imazaquin, imazethapyr, imazosulfuron, iodosulfuron, iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium, mesosulfuron, metosulam, metsulfuron, metsulfuron-methyl, nicosulfuron, orthosulfamuron, oxasulfuron, penoxsulam, primisul- furon, primisulfuron-methyl, propoxycarbazone, propoxycarbazone-sodium, prosulfu- ron, pyrazosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron-ethyl, pyribenzoxim, pyrimisulfan, pyriftalid, pyrimi- nobac, pyriminobac-methyl, pyrithiobac, pyrithiobac-sodium, pyroxsulam, rimsulfuron, sulfometuron, sulfometuron-methyl, sulfosulfuron, thiencarbazone, thiencarbazone- methyl, thifensulfuron, thifensulfuron-methyl, triasulfuron, tribenuron, tribenuron-methyl, trifloxysulfuron, triflusulfuron, triflusulfuron-methyl and tritosulfuron;

b3) from the group of the photosynthesis inhibitors:

ametryn, amicarbazone, atrazine, bentazone, bentazone-sodium, bromacil, bro- mofenoxim, bromoxynil and its salts and esters, chlorobromuron, chloridazone, chloro- toluron, chloroxuron, cyanazine, desmedipham, desmetryn, dimefuron, dimethametryn, diquat, diquat-dibromide, diuron, fluometuron, hexazinone, ioxynil and its salts and es- ters, isoproturon, isouron, karbutilate, lenacil, linuron, metamitron, methabenzthiazuron, metobenzuron, metoxuron, metribuzin, monolinuron, neburon, paraquat, paraquat- dichloride, paraquat-dimetilsulfate, pentanochlor, phenmedipham, phenmedipham- ethyl, prometon, prometryn, propanil, propazine, pyridafol, pyridate, siduron, simazine, simetryn, tebuthiuron, terbacil, terbumeton, terbuthylazine, terbutryn, thidiazuron and trietazine;

b4) from the group of the protoporphyrinogen-IX oxidase inhibitors:

acifluorfen, acifluorfen-sodium, azafenidin, bencarbazone, benzfendizone, bifenox, butafenacil, carfentrazone, carfentrazone-ethyl, chlomethoxyfen, cinidon-ethyl, fluazolate, flufenpyr, flufenpyr-ethyl, flumiclorac, flumiclorac-pentyl, flumioxazin, fluoro- glycofen, fluoroglycofen-ethyl, fluthiacet, fluthiacet-methyl, fomesafen, halosafen, lac- tofen, oxadiargyl, oxadiazon, oxyfluorfen, pentoxazone, profluazol, pyraclonil, pyra- flufen, pyraflufen-ethyl, saflufenacil, sulfentrazone, thidiazimin, 2-chloro-5-[3,6-dihydro- 3-methyl-2,6-dioxo-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1 (2A)-pyrimidinyl]-4-fluoro-N-[(isopropyl)- methylsulfamoyl]benzamide (H-1 ; CAS 372137-35-4), ethyl [3-[2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-(1- methyl-6-trifluoromethyl-2,4-dioxo-1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidin-3-yl)phenoxy]-2- pyridyloxy]acetate (H-2; CAS 353292-31 -6), N-ethyl-3-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoro- methylphenoxy)-5-methyl-1 A pyrazole-l -carboxamide (H-3; CAS 452098-92-9), N-tetrahydrofurfuryl-3-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenox y)-5-methyl-1 A pyrazole-l - carboxamide (H-4; CAS 915396-43-9), N-ethyl-3-(2-chloro-6-fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl- phenoxy)-5-methyl-1 A pyrazole-l -carboxamide (H-5; CAS 452099-05-7), N-tetrahydro- furfuryl-3-(2-chloro-6-fluoro-4-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-5-me thyl-1 A pyrazole-l - carboxamide (H-6; CAS 45100-03-7), 3-[7-fluoro-3-oxo-4-(prop-2-ynyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H- benzo[1 ,4]oxazin-6-yl]-1 ,5-dimethyl-6-thioxo-[1 ,3,5]triazinan-2,4-dione, 1 ,5-dimethyl-6- thioxo-3-(2,2,7-trifluoro-3-oxo-4-(prop-2-ynyl)-3,4-dihydro- 2H-benzo[b][1 ,4]oxazin-6-yl)- 1 ,3,5-triazinane-2,4-dione, 2-(2,2,7-T rifluoro-3-oxo-4-prop-2-ynyl-3,4-dihydro-2H- benzo[1 ,4]oxazin-6-yl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-isoindole-1 ,3-dione and 1 -Methyl-6-trifluoro- methyl-3-(2,2,7-trifluoro-3-oxo-4-prop-2-ynyl-3,4-dihydro-2H -benzo[1 ,4]oxazin-6-yl)-1 H- pyrimidine-2,4-dione;

b5) from the group of the bleacher herbicides:

aclonifen, amitrol, beflubutamid, benzobicyclon, benzofenap, clomazone, diflufenican, fluridone, flurochloridone, flurtamone, isoxaflutole, mesotrione, norflu- razon, picolinafen, pyrasulfutole, pyrazolynate, pyrazoxyfen, sulcotrione, tefuryltrione, tembotrione, topramezone, 4-hydroxy-3-[[2-[(2-methoxyethoxy)methyl]-6- (trifluoromethyl)-3-pyridyl]carbonyl]bicyclo[3.2.1 ]oct-3-en-2-one (H-7; CAS 352010-68- 5) and 4-(3-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-2-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)pyri midine (H-8; CAS 180608-33-7);

b6) from the group of the EPSP synthase inhibitors:

glyphosate, glyphosate-isopropylammonium and glyphosate-trimesium (sul- fosate);

b7) from the group of the glutamine synthase inhibitors:

bilanaphos (bialaphos), bilanaphos-sodium, glufosinate and glufosinate- ammonium;

b8) from the group of the DHP synthase inhibitors:

asulam;

b9) from the group of the mitose inhibitors:

amiprophos, amiprophos-methyl, benfluralin, butamiphos, butralin, carbetamide, chlorpropham, chlorthal, chlorthal-dimethyl, dinitramine, dithiopyr, ethalfluralin, fluchlo- ralin, oryzalin, pendimethalin, prodiamine, propham, propyzamide, tebutam, thiazopyr and trifluralin;

b10) from the group of the VLCFA inhibitors:

acetochlor, alachlor, anilofos, butachlor, cafenstrole, dimethachlor, dimethana- mid, dimethenamid-P, diphenamid, fentrazamide, flufenacet, mefenacet, metazachlor, metolachlor, metolachlor-S, naproanilide, napropamide, pethoxamid, piperophos, preti- lachlor, propachlor, propisochlor, pyroxasulfone (KIH-485) and thenylchlor; Compounds of the formula 2:

2

in which the variables have the following meanings:

Y is phenyl or 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl as defined at the outset, which radicals may be substituted by one to three groups R ^aa ; R ²¹ ,R ²² ,R ²³ ,R ²⁴ are H, halogen or Ci-C ₄ -alkyl; X is O or NH; n is 0 or 1.

Compounds of the formula 2 have in particular the following meanings:

where # denotes the bond to the skeleton of the molecule; and

R ²¹ ,R ²² ,R ²³ ,R ²⁴ are H, Cl, F or CH ₃ ; R ²⁵ is halogen, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl or Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl; R ²⁶ is Ci-C ₄ -alkyl; R ²⁷ is halogen, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy or Ci-C ₄ -haloalkoxy; R ²⁸ is H, halogen, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl or Ci-C ₄ -haloalkoxy; m is 0, 1 , 2 or 3; X is oxygen; n is 0 or 1 .

Preferred compounds of the formula 2 have the following meanings:

R ²¹ is H; R ²² ,R ²³ are F; R ²⁴ is H or F; X is oxygen; n is 0 or 1 .

Particularly preferred compounds of the formula 2 are:

3-[5-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)-1 -methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-1 H-pyrazol-4-ylmethane- sulfonyl]-4-fluoro-5,5-dimethyl-4,5-dihydroisoxazole (2-1 ); 3-{[5-(2,2-difluoro- ethoxy)-1 -methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-1 H-pyrazol-4-yl]fluoromethanesulfonyl}-5,5-dimethyl- 4,5-dihydroisoxazole (2-2); 4-(4-fluoro-5,5-dimethyl-4,5-dihydroisoxazole-3-sulfonyl- methyl)-2-methyl-5-trifluoromethyl-2H-[1 ,2,3]triazole (2-3); 4-[(5,5-dimethyl-4,5- dihydroisoxazole-3-sulfonyl)fluoromethyl]-2-methyl-5-trifluo romethyl-2H-[1 ,2,3]triazole (2-4); 4-(5,5-dimethyl-4,5-dihydroisoxazole-3-sulfonylmethyl)-2-met hyl-5-trifluoro- methyl-2H-[1 ,2,3]triazole (2-5); 3-{[5-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)-1 -methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-1 H- pyrazol-4-yl]difluoromethanesulfonyl}-5,5-dimethyl-4,5-dihyd roisoxazole (2-6);

4-[(5,5-dimethyl-4,5-dihydroisoxazole-3-sulfonyl)difluoro methyl]-2-methyl-5-trifluoro- methyl-2H-[1 ,2,3]triazole (2-7); 3-{[5-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)-1 -methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-1 H- pyrazol-4-yl]difluoromethanesulfonyl}-4-fluoro-5,5-dimethyl- 4,5-dihydroisoxazole (2-8); 4-[difluoro-(4-fluoro-5,5-dimethyl-4,5-dihydroisoxazole-3-su lfonyl)methyl]-2-methyl-5- trifluoromethyl-2H-[1 ,2,3]triazole (2-9);

b11 ) from the group of the cellulose biosynthesis inhibitors:

chlorthiamid, dichlobenil, flupoxam and isoxaben;

b12) from the group of the decoupler herbicides:

dinoseb, dinoterb and DNOC and its salts;

b13) from the group of the auxin herbicides:

2,4-D and its salts and esters, 2,4-DB and its salts and esters, aminopyralid and its salts such as aminopyralid-tris(2-hydroxypropyl)ammonium and its esters, bena- zolin, benazolin-ethyl, chloramben and its salts and esters, clomeprop, clopyralid and its salts and esters, dicamba and its salts and esters, dichlorprop and its salts and es- ters, dichlorprop-P and its salts and esters, fluroxypyr, fluroxypyr-butometyl, fluroxypyr- meptyl, MCPA and its salts and esters, MCPA-thioethyl, MCPB and its salts and esters, mecoprop and its salts and esters, mecoprop-P and its salts and esters, picloram and its salts and esters, quinclorac, quinmerac, TBA (2,3,6) and its salts and esters, triclopyr and its salts and esters, and 5,6-dichloro-2-cyclopropyl-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid (H-9; CAS 858956-08-8) and its salts and esters;

b14) from the group of the auxin transport inhibitors: diflufenzopyr, diflufenzopyr- sodium, naptalam and naptalam-sodium;

b15) from the group of the other herbicides: bromobutide, chlorflurenol, chlorflurenol-methyl, cinmethylin, cumyluron, dalapon, dazomet, difenzoquat, difen- zoquat-metilsulfate, dimethipin, DSMA, dymron, endothal and its salts, etobenzanid, flamprop, flamprop-isopropyl, flamprop-methyl, flamprop-M-isopropyl, flamprop-M- methyl, flurenol, flurenol-butyl, flurprimidol, fosamine, fosamine-ammonium, indanofan, maleic hydrazide, mefluidide, metam, methyl azide, methyl bromide, methyl-dymron, methyl iodide, MSMA, oleic acid, oxaziclomefone, pelargonic acid, pyributicarb, quinoc- lamine, triaziflam, tridiphane and 6-chloro-3-(2-cyclopropyl-6-methylphenoxy)-4- pyridazinol (H-10; CAS 499223-49-3) and its salts and esters.

Examples of preferred safeners C are benoxacor, cloquintocet, cyometrinil, cy- prosulfamide, dichlormid, dicyclonone, dietholate, fenchlorazole, fenclorim, flurazole, fluxofenim, furilazole, isoxadifen, mefenpyr, mephenate, naphthalic anhydride, oxabe- trinil, 4-(dichloroacetyl)-1-oxa-4-azaspiro[4.5]decane (H-11 ; MON4660, CAS 71526-07- 3) and 2,2,5-trimethyl-3-(dichloroacetyl)-1 ,3-oxazolidine (H-12; R-29148, CAS 52836- 31-4).

The active compounds of groups b1 ) to b15) and the safeners C are known herbicides and safeners, see, for example, The Compendium of Pesticide Common Names (http://www.alanwood.net/pesticides/); B. Hock, C. Fedtke, R. R. Schmidt, Herbizide [Herbicides], Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, 1995. Further herbicidally active compounds are known from WO 96/26202, WO 97/41 116, WO 97/411 17, WO 97/41 118, WO 01/83459 and WO 2008/074991 and from W. Kramer et al. (ed.) "Modern Crop Protection Compounds", Vol. 1 , Wiley VCH, 2007 and the literature quoted therein.

The invention also relates to compositions in the form of a crop protection corn- position formulated as a 1 -component composition comprising an active compound combination comprising at least one benzamide compound of the formula I and at least one further active compound, preferably selected from the active compounds of groups b1 to b15, and at least one solid or liquid carrier and/or one or more surfactants and, if desired, one or more further auxiliaries customary for crop protection compositions.

The invention also relates to compositions in the form of a crop protection composition formulated as a 2-component composition comprising a first component comprising at least one compound of the formula I, a solid or liquid carrier and/or one or more surfac- tants and a second component comprising at least one further active compound se- lected from the active compounds of groups b1 to b15, a solid or liquid carrier and/or one or more surfactants, where additionally both components may also comprise fur- ther auxiliaries customary for crop protection compositions.

In binary compositions comprising at least one compound of the formula I as component A and at least one herbicide B, the weight ratio of the active compounds A:B is generally in the range of from 1 :1000 to 1000:1 , preferably in the range of from 1 :500 to 500:1 , in particular in the range of from 1 :250 to 250:1 and particularly prefer- ably in the range of from 1 :75 to 75:1.

In binary compositions comprising at least one compound of the formula I as component A and at least one safener C, the weight ratio of the active compounds A:C is generally in the range of from 1 :1000 to 1000:1 , preferably in the range of from 1 :500 to 500:1 , in particular in the range of from 1 :250 to 250:1 and particularly preferably in the range of from 1 :75 to 75:1.

In ternary compositions comprising both at least one compound of the formula I as component A, at least one herbicide B and at least one safener C, the relative parts by weight of the components A:B are generally in the range of from 1 :1000 to 1000:1 , preferably in the range of from 1 :500 to 500:1 , in particular in the range of from 1 :250 to 250:1 and particularly preferably in the range of from 1 :75 to 75:1 ; the weight ratio of the components A:C is generally in the range of from 1 :1000 to 1000:1 , preferably in the range of from 1 :500 to 500:1 , in particular in the range of from 1 :250 to 250:1 and particularly preferably in the range of from 1 :75 to 75:1 ; and the weight ratio of the components B:C is generally in the range of from 1 :1000 to 1000:1 , preferably in the range of from 1 :500 to 500:1 , in particular in the range of from 1 :250 to 250:1 and par- ticularly preferably in the range of from 1 :75 to 75:1. Preferably, the weight ratio of the components A + B to the component C is in the range of from 1 :500 to 500:1 , in partic- ular in the range of from 1 :250 to 250:1 and particularly preferably in the range of from 1 :75 to 75:1.

Examples of particularly preferred compositions according to the invention corn- prising in each case one individualized compound of the formula I and one mixing part- ner or a mixing partner combination are given in Table B below.

A further aspect of the invention relates to the compositions B-1 to B-1236 listed in Table B below, where in each case one row of Table B corresponds to a herbicidal composition comprising one of the compounds of formula I individualized in the above description (component 1 ) and the further active compound from groups b1) to b15) and/or safener C stated in each case in the row in question (component 2). The active compounds in the compositions described are in each case preferably present in syn- ergistically effective amounts.

Table B:

The compounds of formula I and the compositions according to the invention may also have a plant-strengthening action. Accordingly, they are suitable for mobilizing the defense system of the plants against attack by unwanted microorganisms, such as harmful fungi, but also viruses and bacteria. Plant-strengthening (resistance-inducing) substances are to be understood as meaning, in the present context, those substances which are capable of stimulating the defense system of treated plants in such a way that, when subsequently inoculated by unwanted microorganisms, the treated plants display a substantial degree of resistance to these microorganisms. The compounds of formula I can be employed for protecting plants against attack by unwanted microorganisms within a certain period of time after the treatment. The period of time within which their protection is effected generally extends from 1 to 28 days, preferably from 1 to 14 days, after the treatment of the plants with the corn- pounds of formula I, or, after treatment of the seed, for up to 9 months after sowing.

The compounds of formula I and the compositions according to the invention are also suitable for increasing the harvest yield.

Moreover, they have reduced toxicity and are tolerated well by the plants.

The invention is further illustrated by the following non-limiting examples.

Examples

Abbreviations

DMF N,N-Dimethylformamide

THF Tetrahydrofuran

DMSO Dimethylsulfoxide

EtOAc Ethyl acetate

MTBE methyl-tert-butylether

I. Synthesis examples

With appropriate modification of the starting materials, the procedures given in the syn- thesis examples below were used to obtain further compounds I. The compounds ob- tained in this manner are listed in the table that follows, together with physical data.

The products shown below were characterized by determination of the melting point, NMR spectroscopy or the masses ([m/z]) determined by HPLC-MS spectrometry. HPLC-MS = high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry; HPLC column: 15 RP-18 column (Chromolith Speed ROD from Merck KgaA, Germa- ny), 50 ^* 4.6 mm; mobile phase: acetonitrile + 0.1 % trifluoroacetic acid (TFA)/water +

0.1 % TFA, using a gradient from 5:95t o 100:0 over 5 minutes at 40'C, flow rate 1.8 ml/min.

MS: quadrupole electrospray ionization, 80 V (positive mode)

Example 1 : 2,4-Dichloro-3-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)sulfanylethoxy]-N-(1-methy ltetrazol-5- yl)benzamide (compound C1.1 )

Step 1 : 2-Benzyloxy-1 ,3-dichloro-benzene

Commercially available 2,6-dichloro-phenol (CAS 87-65-0, 25.0 g, 0.15 mol) was dis solved in DMF (50 ml). Powdered potassium carbonate (23.3 g, 0.169 mol) was sus- pended in this solution. Benzylbromide (30.17 g, 0.176 mol) was dosed to the suspen- sion over 30 min with slight self-heating up to 45°C. After 4 h at 60°C most of the DMF was evaporated. Water was added to the residue and ethylacetate was used to re- dissolve the product. After washing the organic layer with water and brine it was dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated to yield 35.5 g of the title compound as a pale white solid.

¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCIs), d 5.05 (s, 2 H), 7.0 (t, 1 H), 7.25-7.42 (m, 5H), 7.55 (d, 2H)

Step 2: 3-Benzyloxy-2,4-dichloro-benzoic acid

2-Benzyloxy-1 ,3-dichloro-benzene (35.5 g, 0.14 mol) of step 1 was dissolved in 300 mL of THF and cooled to -70°C, then 87.7 ml of a 1.6 molar solution of n-butyllithium in n- hexane were dosed such that the temperature remained between -69°C and -73°C. After a post-dosage time of 0.5 h at -74°C solide carbon dioxide (dry ice) (18.5 g, 0.42 mol) was added to the solution at -74°C. Then the external cooling was removed and the reaction mixture was left to warm-up to 25°C overnight forming a thick suspension. Water was added to dissolve the solids. After extraction with petroleum ether, 100 ml of a 5 wt-% hydrochloric acid were added. The pH of the water phase should be at pH 1- 3. The aqueous phase was separated and extracted once with ethyl acetate (EtOAc). The combined organic phases were washed with brine and then evaporated to yield 32.4 g of the title compound as a pale white solid.

1H NMR (400 MHz, de-DMSO), d 5.05 (s, 2 H), 7.0 (t, 1 H), 7.25-7.65 (m, 7H), 13-14 (br s, 1 H)

Step 3: 3-Benzyloxy-2,4-dichloro-benzoyl chloride

3-Benzyloxy-2,4-dichloro-benzoic acid (32.4 g, 0.109 mol) of step 2 was dissolved in 280 ml of toluene. Thionylchloride (39.3 ml, 0.54 mol) was dosed at 80°C. After stirring overnight at 80°C the volatiles were evaporated and the crude product was obtained as a yellow wax and used as such in the next step.

Step 4: 3-Benzyloxy-2,4-dichloro-N-(1 -methyltetrazol-5-yl)benzamide

1-Methyltetrazol-5-amine (21.6 g, 0.218 mol) was dissolved in anhydrous THF (300 ml) and cooled to -70°C. A solution of methyl lithium in diethoxymethane (70.2 ml, 3 molar, 0.22 mol) was added dropwise at this temperature and then the reaction mixture was warmed up to -5 °C. After 0.5 h the reaction mixture was cooled again to -75°C and a solution of 3-benzyloxy-2,4-dichloro-benzoyl chloride of step 3 in 70 ml of THF was added forming a sticky solid. The suspension was diluted with additional 100 ml of THF, warmed up to 25°C, stirred overnight and then quenched with 1 10 ml of 2 N hy- drochloric acid. The organic phase was washed three times with 20 ml of 2 N hydro- chloric acid and once with 20 ml of brine. The organic phase was dried over Na ₂ S0 ₄ and evaporated to yield 46.5 g of the title compound as a pale white solid.

LC-MS: 378

¹ H NMR (400 MHz, de-DMSO), d 4.0 (s, 3H), 5.05 (s, 2 H), 7.32-7.75 (m, 7H), 11.8 (s,

1 H)

Step 5: 2,4-Dichloro-3-hydroxy-N-(1 -methyltetrazol-5-yl)benzamide

3-Benzyloxy-2,4-dichloro-N-(1-methyltetrazol-5-yl)benzamide of step 4 (41.4 g, 0.109 mol) was dissolved in acetic acid. After adding 103.6 g of cone hydrochloric acid the mixture was heated to reflux (98°C) and kept at reflux for 4 h. After cooling to 25°C and stirring overnight the reaction solution was partly evaporated until the product precipi- tated as a solid. After filtration and washing of the solid on the filter with cold acetic acid and petroleum ether the product was dried at 40°C under vacuum. 12.9 g of the title compound were obtained as a pale white solid.

LC-MS (M+H): 287.9

¹ H NMR (400 MHz, de-DMSO), d 4.0 (s, 3H), 7.20 (d, 1 H), 7.55 (s, 1 H), 10.5 -11.0 (br s, 1 H), 1 1.75 (s, 1 H)

Step 6: 2,4-Dichloro-3-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)sulfanylethoxy]-N-(1 -methyltetrazol-5- yl)benzamide

2,4-Dichloro-3-hydroxy-N-(1-methyltetrazol-5-yl)benzamide (0.5 g, 0.002 mol) of step 5 were dissolved in 8 ml of dimethylformamide (DMF). Powdered potassium carbonate (0.48 g, 0.003 mol) was suspended in this solution. 1-(2-Bromoethylsulfanyl)-4-fluoro- benzene (0.43 g, 0.002 mol) was added and the mixture was stirred at 25°C overnight. DMF was evaporated at 60°. Water was added to the residue and the mixture was made acidic with 2 N hydrochloric acid. After extraction with methylene chloride and evaporation of the organic solvent the crude residue was purified by column chroma- tography to yield 0.39 g of the title compound as a pale white solid.

LC-MS (M+H): 442

1H NMR (400 MHz, de-DMSO), d 3.5 (t, 2H), 4.0 (s, 3H), 4.2 (t, 2H), 7.15-7.7 (m, 6 H), 1 1.7 (s, 1 H)

Example 2: 2,4-Dichloro-3-(2-cyclopropylsulfanylethoxy)-N-(1 -methyltetrazol-5- yl)benzamide (compound C2.1 )

Step 1 : 3-(2-Bromoethoxy)-2,4-dichloro-N-(1-methyltetrazol-5-yl)benz amide

2,4-Dichloro-3-hydroxy-N-(1-methyltetrazol-5-yl)benzamide (2.0 g, 0.007 mol) of step 5 of example 1 were dissolved in 8 ml of dimethylformamide (DMF). Powdered potassi- um carbonate (1.92 g, 0.014 mol) was suspended in this solution. 1 ,1-Dibromoethane (2.64 g, 0.014 mol) was added and the mixture was stirred at 25°C overnight. Then the reaction was quenched by addition of 20 ml of water and extracted twice with methyl- tert-butylether (MTBE). The alkaline aqueous layer was made acidic by addition of 2 N hydrochloric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined ethyl acetate phases were evaporated . The residue was treated with toluene. The toluene was evaporated to remove residual DMF. The title compound was obtained as 0.79 g of a pale white solid.

LC-MS (M+H): 395.8

¹ H NMR (400 MHz, de-DMSO), d 3.8 (t, 2H), 3.95 (s, 3H), 4.7 (t, 2H), 7.6 (d, 1 H), 7.75 (d, 1 H), 11.65 (s, 1 H)

Step 2: 2,4-Dichloro-3-(2-cyclopropylsulfanylethoxy)-N-(1 -methyltetrazol-5- yl)benzamide

3-(2-Bromoethoxy)-2,4-dichloro-N-(1-methyltetrazol-5-yl)benz amide (0.5 g, 1.2 mmol) of step 1 was dissolved in 8 ml of dimethylformamide (DMF). Powdered potassium car- bonate (0.33 g, 2.4 mol) was suspended in this solution. Cyclopropanethiol (0.094 g,

1.2 mmol) was added and the mixture was heated up to 60°C overnight. DMF was evaporated at 60°C. Water was added to the residue and the reaction mixture made acidic with 2 N hydrochloric acid. After extraction with methylene chloride and evapora- tion of the organic solvent the crude residue was purified by column chromatography to yield 0.28 g of the title compound as a pale white solid.

LC-MS (M+H): 388 ¹ H NMR (400 MHz, de-DMSO), d 0.5 (m, 2H), 0.7 (m, 2H), 2.0 (m, 1 H), 3.0, (t, 2H), 4.0 (s, 3H), 4.24 (t, 2H), 7.55 (d, 1 H), 7.7 (d, 1 H) ,11.8 (s, 1 H)

The compounds according to Tables I and II below were prepared in accordance with the methods described above.

Table I: Compounds of the general formula I wherein Q is Q ¹ , R ⁴ is H, R ⁵ is methyl and R ¹ , R ² and R ³ are as defined in the table

Table II: Compounds of the formula I wherein Q is Q ¹ , R ⁴ is H, R ⁵ is methyl and R ¹ , R ² and R ³ are as defined in the table

The arrow and # denote the attachment point tot he oxygen atom.

II. Use examples

The herbicidal activity of the compounds of formula (I) was demonstrated by the following greenhouse experiments:

The culture containers used were plastic flowerpots containing loamy sand with approximately 3.0% of humus as the substrate. The seeds of the test plants were sown separately for each species. For the pre-emergence treatment, the active ingredients, which had been sus- pended or emulsified in water, were applied directly after sowing by means of finely distributing nozzles. The containers were irrigated gently to promote germination and growth and subsequently covered with transparent plastic hoods until the plants had rooted. This cover caused uniform germination of the test plants, unless this had been impaired by the active ingredients.

For the post-emergence treatment, the test plants were first grown to a height of 3 to 15 cm, depending on the plant habit, and only then treated with the active ingredi ents which had been suspended or emulsified in water. For this purpose, the test plants were either sown directly and grown in the same containers, or they were first grown separately as seedlings and transplanted into the test containers a few days prior to treatment.

Depending on the species, the plants were kept at 10 - 25°C or 20 - 25°C, re- spectively. The test period extended over 2 to 4 weeks. During this time, the plants were tended, and their response to the individual treatments was evaluated.

Evaluation was carried out using a scale from 0 to 100. 100 means no emer- gence of the plants, or complete destruction of at least the aerial moieties, and 0 means no damage, or normal course of growth. A good herbicidal activity is given at values of at least 70 and a very good herbicidal activity is given at values of at least 85. At an application rate of 250g/ha the following compounds were tested in post- emergence tests against ALOMY (Alopecurus myosuroiedes), ECHCG (Echinocloa crus-galli), AMARE (Amaranthus retroflexus) and CHEAL (Chenopodium album) and showed a control of at least 80 %:

Compounds C1.1 , C1.2, C1.3, C1.4, C1.5, C1.6, C1.7, C1.8, C1.9, C1.10 of table I; Compounds C2.1 , C2.2, C2.3, C2.4, C2.5, C2.6, C2.7, C2.8, C2.9, C2.10, C2.1 1 , C2.12, C2.13, C2.14, C2.16, C2.17, C2.18, C2.19, C2.20, C2.21 , C2.22 of table II.