The N-sulfonyl-a-amino-acid derivatives according to the present invention correspond to the general formula I including the optical isomers thereof and mixtures of such isomers, wherein Art and Ar2 independently of each other stand for an optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl group, R, and R2 stand independently of each other for hydrogen, optionally substituted C,-C5alkyl, optionally substituted C2-C5alkenyl, C2-C5alkynyl or optionally substituted C3-C6cycloalkyl ; R3 designates hydrogen, C3-C5alkenyl, C3-C5alkynyl or optionally substituted C,-C5alkyl ; R4 is optionally substituted C1-C5alkyl, optionally substituted C2-C5alkenyl, C2-C5alkynyl or optionally substituted C3-C6cycloalkyl ; R5 and R6 are independently of each other hydrogen or optionally substituted C1-C5alkyl, optionally substituted C2-C5alkenyl, C2-C5alkynyl or optionally substituted C3-C6cycloalkyl ; R7 and R8 are independently of each other hydrogen or optionally substituted C1-C5alkyl, optionally substituted C2-C5alkenyl, C2-C5alkynyl or optionally substituted C3-C6cycloalkyl ; W designates a bridge selected from-O-,-S-,-SO-,-S02-or is an-NH-or -N(C1-C5alkyl)- bridge ; X designates a direct bond or a bridge selected from -O-, -S-, -SO-, -SO2- or is an-NH- or-N (C1-C5alkyl)- bridge ; Y designates-OR9 or NR10R11; a and b independently of each other stand for a number 1,2 or 3; and c stands for a number zero, 1 or 2; Rg designates hydrogen, optionally substituted C1-C5alkyl, C3-C5alkenyl, C3-C5alkynyl, optionally substituted phenyl ; Rio and R, independently of each other stand for hydrogen, C1-Csalkyl optionally substitu- ted by halogen, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C5alkylamino, di (C1-C5alkyl) amino, or aryl which in turn is optionally substituted by halogen, C,-C5alkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy or -CN ; or stand for C3-C5alkenyl optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4 alk- oxy, C1-C5alkylamino, di (C1-C5alkyl) amino, or aryl which in turn is optionally substituted by halogen, Cl-C5alkyl, Cl-C5haloalkyl, Cl-C4alkoxy or-CN; or stand for C3-C5alkynyl optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C5alkylamino, di (Ci-C5alkyl) amino, or aryl which in turn is optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5alkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy or-CN; or stand for a group-NH-CH (R12) CO-Z; or Rioand Rn together form a 5-ring-membered non-aromatic carbocyclic ring; or together form a 6-ring-membered non-aromatic carbocyclic ring which is interrupted by -O-, -S- or -N (C1-C5alkyl)-; R12 designates C1-C5alkyl optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5haloalkyl or aryl which in turn is optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5alkyl, C,-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, hydroxy or -CN ; Z is-OR9 or NR13R14 ; R13 and R14 independently of each other stand for hydrogen; C,-C5alkyl optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C,-C5alkylamino, di (C,-C5alkyl) amino, or aryl which in turn is optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5alkyl, C, _C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy or-CN; or stand for C3-C5alkenyl optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C5alkylamino, di (C1-C5alkyl) amino, or aryl which in turn is optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5alkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy or-CN; or stand for Cs-Cgatkyny) optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5haloalkyl, C,-C4alkoxy, C1-C5alkylamino, di (C1-C5alkyl) amino, or aryl which in turn is optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5alkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy or -CN ; or R13 and R14 together form a 5-ring-membered non-aromatic carbocyclic ring; or together form a 6-ring-membered non- aromatic carbocyclic ring which is interrupted by -O-, -S- or -N (C1-C5alkyl)-.

More specifically the present invention refers to the N-sulfonyl-a-amino-acid derivatives of formula I wherein Ari stands for an aryl group which is optionally substituted with n radicals independently selected from R15. Ris stands for C1-C5alkyl optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C4alkoxy, -NR16R17, -CO-R18 or the acyclic or cyclic ketals and acetls of -CO-R18 ; or stands for a -X-linked aryl which is optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5alkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, -CN, -NO2, -NR16R17, -CO-R18 or the acyclic or cyclic ketals and acetals of -CO-R18 ; or for an-X-linked 5-or 6-ring-membered heteroaryl group optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5alkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, -CN, -NO2, -NR16R17, -CO-R18 or the acyclic or cyclic ketals and acetals of-CO-R 8 ; Pie and R17 independently of each other stand for hydrogen; C,-C5alkyl optionally substitu- ted by halogen, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C5alkylamino, di (C1-C5alkyl) amino, or aryl which in turn is optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5alkyl, C1-Cshaloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy or -CN ; or stand for C3-C5alkenyl optionally substituted by halogen, Ct-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alk- oxy, C1-C5alkylamino, di (Ct-C5alkyl) amino, or aryl which in turn is optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5alkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy or-CN; or stand for C3-C5alkynyl optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C5alkylamino, di (C1-C5alkyl) amino, or aryl which in turn is optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5alkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy or-CN; or together form a 5-ring- membered non-aromatic carbocyclic ring; or together form a 6-ring-membered non-aromatic carbocyclic ring which is interrupted by -O- or -N (C1-C5alkyl)-; Rig stands for C1-C5alkyl optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C5alkylamino, di (C,-C5alkyl) amino; aryl which in turn is optionally substituted by halogen, C1-Csalkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, -CN, -NO2, C1-C5alkylamino, di (Ci-C5alkyl) amino or C1-C5alkylcarbonyl, C1-C4alkoxycarbonyl, C1-C5alkylaminocarbonyl or di (C1-C5alkyl) ami- nocarbonyl ; or by a 5-or 6-ring hetero-aromatic ring which in turn is optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5alkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl C1-C4alkoxy, -CN, -NO2, C1-C5alkylamino, di (C,-C5alkyl) amino, C,-C5alkylcarbonyl, C1-C4alkoxycarbonyl, C1-Csalkylaminocarbonyl or di- (Ci-C5alkyl) aminocarbonyl ; or stands for C3-C6cycloalkyl optionally substituted by halogen, hydroxy, =O, C1-C4alkoxy or Ct-C5alkylamino, di (C,-C5alkyl) amino; or stands for C1-C4alkoxy optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C4alkoxy ; C1-C5alkylamino, di (C1- C5alkyl) amino; or stands for phenyl which is optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5alkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, -CN, -NO2, C1-C5alkylamino, di (C1-C5alkyl) amino, Ci- C5alkylcarbonyl, C1-C4alkoxycarbonyl, Ci-C5alkylaminocarbonyl or di- (Ci- C5alkyl) aminocarbonyl ; or stands for a 5-or 6-ring membered heteroaryl comprising nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur as ring members and being optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5alkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl ; C1-C4alkoxy, -CN, -NO2, C1-C5alkylamino, di (C1-C5alkyl) amino, C1-C5alkylcarbonyl, C1-C4alkoxycarbonyl, C1-C5alkylaminocarbonyl or di-(C1-C5alkyl)aminocarbonyl ; or R15 stands for C3-C6cycloalkyl, optionally substituted by halogen, hydroxy, =O, C,-C4alkoxy, NR16R17 ; or stands for C1-C4alkoxy optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C4alkoxy, by -X-aryl which is optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5alkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl, C,-C4alkoxy, -CN, -NO2, -NR16R17, -CO-R18 or the acyclic or cyclic ketals and acetals of -CO-R18; by a X-linked-5-or 6-ring-membered heteroaryl group optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5alkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, -CN, -NO2, -NR16R17, -CO-R18 or the acyclic or cyclic ketals and acetals of -CO-R18 ; or stand for C2-C5alkenyl optionally substituted by halogen or aryl ; or stand for C2-C5alkynyl optionally substituted by halogen, tri-C1-C4alkyl-silyl or aryl ; or stand for C2-C5alkenyloxy optionally substituted by halogen or aryl ; or stand for C2-C5alkynyloxy optionally substituted by halogen, tri-C1-C4alkyl-silyl or aryl ; or stand for C3-C6cycloalkoxy optionally substituted by Ct-C3alkyl, halogen or C1-C4alkoxy ; or stand for halogen ; or stand for-NR16R17, or stand for -NR2-CO-R16 ; or stand for-NR2-CO-OR16 ; or stand for -NR2-CO-NR16R17 ; or stand for -NR2-CO-SR16 ; or stand for-NR2-CS-OR16 ; or stand for-NR2-CS-NRi6Ri7 ; or stand for-NR2-CS-SRi6 ; or stand for-NR2-C (=N-O-R, 6)-S-OR16 ; or stand for-NR2-C (=N-O-R16)-NR16R17 ; or stand for-NR2-C (=N-O-R16)-SR16 ; or stand for C1-C5alkylthio, C1-C5alkylsyulfinyl or C1-C5alkylsulfonyl, optionally substituted by halogen ; or stand for-NR2-SO2-NR16R17 ; or stand for nitro, for cyano or for-CS-NH2; or Ar1 stands for a 5-ring-membered heteroaryl group comprising as ring members 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur and in which each ring system may not contain more than one oxygen or sulfur atoms and being optionally substituted with n radicals independently selected from R19, R19 is hydrogen, halogen, Ci-C5alkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl, Cl-C4alkoxy,-NR16RI7,-N02,-CN,-CO-R, 8 or the acyclic or cyclic ketals and acetais of-CO-Rls ; or Ar1 stands for a 6-ring-membered heteroaryl group comprising as ring members 1 to 4 nitrogen atoms, and being optionally substituted with n radicals independently selected from Rig ; Ar2 stands for an aryl group which is optionally substituted with n radicals independently selected from R20, wherein R20 is as defined as R15, and from one radical R21, R21 stands for hydrogen; or stands for-X-aryl which is optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5alkyl, Cl-C5haloalkyl, Cl-C4alkoxy,-CN,-N02,-NR16Rl7,-CO-R, 8 or the acyclic or cyclic ketals and acetals of -CO-R18 ; or stands for an-X-linked 5-membered aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclic ring comprising nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur as ring members and being optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5alkyl, C,-C5haloalkyl, C,-C4alkoxy,-CN,-N02, -NR16R17,-CO-R18 or the acyclic or cyclic ketals and acetals of -CO-R18 ; or stands for a X-linked 6-membered aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclic ring comprising nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur as ring members and being optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5alkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl, C,-C4alkoxy,-CN,-N02,-NR16Rl7,-CO-R,8 or the acyclic or cyclic ketals and acetals of-CO-Ri8 ; or stands for-CO-R18 or the acyclic or cyclic ketals and acetals of-CO-Ri$ ; or stands for-O-CO-R18 ; or stands for-C (=N-O-R16)-R18 ; or R2, and one R20 together form a 3-or 4-membered non-aromatic bridge forming an annellated ring which may contain a carbonyl function or nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur as ring members and is optionally substituted by Ci-Csaikyt ; or Ar2 stands for a 5-ring-membered heteroaryl group comprising as ring members 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur and in which each ring system may not contain more than 1 oxygen or sulfur atoms and being optionally substituted with n radicals independently selected from Rig ; or stands for a 6-ring-membered heteroaryl group comprising as ring members 1 to 4 nitrogen atoms, and being optionally substituted with n radicals independently selected from Rig ; or stands for a fused bicyclic heteroaryl group comprising as ring members 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, and being composed from the 5-ring-or 6-ring-membered heteroaryl groups as defined for Ar2 with an annellated phenyl ring or with an annellated second 6-ring-membered heteroaryl, each ring and the bicyclic heteroaryl being optionally substituted with n radicals independently selected from Rlg.

The number n independently selected is a number between zero and the number of the respective ring members minus the number of ring members and the number of further substituents. Preferably, n is 1. If n is zero, eventually vacant valences of the respective ring are substituted with hydrogen.

R1 and R2 stand independently of each other for hydrogen or Ci-Csaikyi optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C3alkoxy or -NR16R17 ; or stand for C2-C5alkenyl optionally substituted by halogen or C1-C3alkoxy ; or stand for C2-C5alkynyl ; or stand for C3-C6cycloalkyl optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C3alkoxy ; C1-C3alkyl or -NR16R17 ; R3 designates hydrogen, C3-C5alkenyl, C3-C5alkynyl or C1-C3alkyl optionally substituted by Ci-Csaikoxy ; C3-C5alkenyloxy or C3-C5alkynyloxy ; R4 is C1-C5-alkyl optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C3alkoxy or-NR16R17 ; or is C2-C5alkenyl optionally substituted by halogen or C1-C3alkoxy ; or is C2-C5alkynyl ; or is C3-C6cycloalkyl optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C3alkoxy or Ci-Csaikyt ; or R5 and R6 are independently of each other hydrogen or C1-C5alkyl optionally substituted by halogen, C,-C3alkoxy or -NR16R17 ; or are C2-C5alkenyl optionally substituted by halogen or C1-C3alkoxy ; or are C2-C5alkynyl ; or are C3-C6cycloalkyl optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C3alkoxy ; C1-C3alkyl or -NR16R17 ; R7 and R8 are independently of each other hydrogen or Ci-C5alkyl optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C3alkoxy or -NR16R17 ; or are C2-C5alkenyl optionally substituted by halogen or Ci-Csatkoxy ; or are C2-C5alkynyl ; or are C3-C6cycloalkyl optionally substituted by halogen, CrCaatkoxy ; C1-C3alkyl or -NR16R17.

In the above definitions"halo"or"halogen"includes fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine.

The alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl radicals may be straight-chain or branched. This applies also to the alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl parts of other alkyl-, alkenyl-or alkynyl-containing groups, such as alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylamino and dialkylamino.

Depending upon the number of carbon atoms mentioned, alkyl on its own or as part of another substituent is to be understood as being, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl and the isomers thereof, for example isopropyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl or sec-butyl, isopentyl or tert-pentyl.

Cycloalkyl for example is, depending upon the number of carbon atoms mentioned, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, bicyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, bicycloheptyl, cyclooctyl or bicyclooctyl.

Depending upon the number of carbon atoms mentioned, alkenyl as a group or as a struc- tural element of other groups is to be understood as being, for example, ethenyl, allyl, 1-propenyl, buten-2-yl, buten-3-yl, penten-1-yl, penten-3-yl, hexen-1-yl, 4-methyl-3-pentenyl or 4-methyl-3-hexenyl.

Alkynyl as a group or as a structural element of other groups is, for example, ethynyl, propyn-1-yl, propyn-2-yl, butyn-1-yl, butyn-2-yl, 1-methyl-2-butynyl, hexyn-1-yl, 1-ethyl-2- butynyl or octyn-1-yl, depending on the number of carbon atoms present.

A haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl or halocycloalkyl group may contain one or more (identical or different) halogen atoms, and for example may stand for CHCI2, CH2F, CCI3, CH2CI, CHF2, CF3, CH2CH2Br, C2CI5, CH2Br, CHCIBr, CF3CH2, CH2CH2CI, CH2CH2F, CH2CHF2, CH2-C=CHCI, CH=CC12, CH=CF2, CH2-C=CCI, CH2-C=C-CF3, chlorocyclohexyl, dichlorocyclohexyl, etc.

Alkoxy thus includes methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butyloxy, s-butyloxy, i-butyloxy or t-butyloxy.

Ar1 and Ar2 according to the present invention both present aromatic moieties, belonging to the chemical class of aromatic hydrocarbons or aromatic heterocycles, designated as aryl or heteroaryl.

The definition aryl includes aromatic hydrocarbon ring systems like phenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl, phenanthrenyl and biphenyl like 1, 3-biphenyl and 1, 4-biphenyl, with phenyl being preferred. The same definition applies where aryl is part of aryloxy.

Heteroaryl stands for monocyclic aromatic ring systems comprising 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from N, O and S, where it is understood that for the reasons of complying with the aromatic character of the heteroaryl rings 1 to 4 nitrogen atoms may be present in one ring, but in general not more than one of them may be replaced by oxygen or sulfur. However for the purposes of defining Ar2 heteroaryl includes bicyclic aromatic ring systems comprising an aromatic 5-to 6-membered ring heterocycle condensed with another aromatic 6-mem- bered ring, either an heterocycle or a benzene ring. Where condensed ring systems of more than one ring is intended this is especially pointed out, for example by mentioning condensation, including annellation with benzene rings.

Typical examples for 5-rings, 6-rings and bicyclic condensed systems are furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadia- zolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, pyridyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, triazinyl, tetrazinyl, indolyl, benzothienyl, benzofuryl, isobenzothienyl, isobenzofuryl, benzimidazolyl, benzopy- razolyl, indazolyl, benzotriazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzoisothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzis- oxazolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, phthalazinyl, purinyl, naphthridinyl, pteridinyl, quinoxalinyl, quinazolinyl and cinnolinyl. Preferred heterocycles are furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, thia- <BR> <BR> zolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, triazolyl, pyridyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, indolyl, benzothienyl, benzofuryl, benzopyrazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl and quinazolinyl.

Depending on the position of the heteroaryl group, the heterocyclic ring may be linked to the basic molecular structure via a ring-carbon atom or via a nitrogen-ring atom.

The aryl and heteroaryl groups according to the invention may be unsubstituted or are optionally substituted. Where substituents are indicated according to this invention, the ring structures may carry one or more identical or different substituents. Normally not more than three substituents are present at the same time. Examples of substituents of aryl or hete- roaryl groups are: alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, alkylamino, dialkylamino, cyano, nitro, amino, hydroxy, cycloalkyl-alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-alkyl, phenyl and phenyl-alkyl, it being possible in turn for all of the preceding groups to carry one or more identical or different halogen atoms; alkoxy ; alkenyloxy ; alkynyloxy ; alkoxyalkyl ; haloalkoxy, alkylthio ; haloalkylthio ; alkylsulfonyl ; formyl ; alkanol ; hydroxy; halogen ; cyano; nitro; amino; hydroxy, alkylamino ; dialkylamino ; carboxyl ; alkoxycarbonyl ; alkenyloxycarbonyl ; or alkynyloxycarbonyl.

Typical examples include 1-naphthyl, 2, 3-dichlorophenyl, 2, 3-difluorophenyl, 2,4, 6-trichlo- rophenyl, 2,4, 6-trifluorophenyl, 2, 4-dichlorophenyl, 2, 4-difluorophenyl, 2, 5-dichlorophenyl, 2, 5-difluorophenyl, 2, 6-dichlorophenyl, 2-chloro-4-ethoxyphenyl, 2-chloro-4-methoxyphe- nyl, 2-chlorophenyl, 2-ethoxyphenyl, 2-fluoro-4-chlorophenyl, 2-fluoro-4-ethoxyphenyl, 2-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl, 2-hexyloxyphenyl, 2-methoxy-4-chlorophenyl, 2-methoxyphe- nyl, 2-methyl-4-chlorophenyl, 2-naphthyl, 2-trifluoromethyl, 3,4, 5-trichlorophenyl, 3,4-di- bromophenyl, 3, 4-dichlorophenyl, 3, 4-difluorophenyl, 3, 4-dimethoxyphenyl, 3,4-dime- thylphenyl, 3, 5-dimethyl-4-chlorophenyl, 3'4'-dichloro-4-biphenylyl, 3-bromo-4-methylphe- nyl, 3-bromophenyl, 3-chloro-4-cyanophenyl, 3-chloro-4-ethoxyphenyl, 3-chloro-4-fluo- <BR> <BR> <BR> rophenyl, 3-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 3-ethyl-4-chlorophenyl, 3-fluoro-4- ethoxyphenyl, 3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl, 3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl, 3-methoxy-4-chlo- rophenyl, 3-methylphenyl, 4- (1, 3, 4-oxadiazol-2-yl) phenyl, 4- (1-imidazolyl)-phenyl, 4- (1-me- thyl-methoximinomethyl)-phenyl, 4- (2, 6-dimethoxy-pyrimidin-2-ylthio)-phenyl, 4- (2-cya- nopyrid-4-yl)-phenyl, 4- (3-methyl-1, 2, 4-thiadiazol-4-2-yloxy) phenyl, 4- (3-methyl-1, 2,4-thia- zol-5-yloxy)-phenyl, 4- (5-ethyl-1, 3, 4-oxadiazol-2-yl) phenyl, 4-(pyrid-2yloxy)-phenyl, 4'-bro- <BR> <BR> <BR> mo-4-biphenylyl, 4'-chloro-4-biphenylyl, 4'-cyano-4-biphenylyl, 4'-methyl-4-biphenylyl, <BR> <BR> <BR> 4'-trifluoromethyl-4-biphenylyl, 4-aminocarbonylethoxy-phenyl, 4-aminocarbonylmethyl- phenyl, 4-aminocarbonyl-phenyl, 4-biphenylyl, 4-bromo-3-chlorophenyl, 4-bromophenyl, 4-chloro-3-cyanophenyl, 4-chloro-3-fluorophenyl, 4-chloro-3-methylphenyl, 4-chloro-3-tri- fluoromethyl-phenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 4-cyanophenyl, 4-cyclohexylphenyl, 4-ethen- yiphenyl, 4-ethoxyphenyl, 4-ethylphenyi, 4-ethynyloxyphenyl, 4-ethynylphenyl, 4-fluo- rophenyl, 4-hexyloxyphenyl, 4-isopropylcarbonylamino-phenyl, 4-isopropylphenyl, 4-iso- propoxyphenyl, 4-methoxy-3-methylphenyi, 4-methoxycarbonyl-phenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 4-methylphenyl, 4-methylsulfonyl-phenyl, 4-methylthiophenyl, 4-nitrophenyl, 4-N-mor- pholinocarbonylaminophenyl, 4-N-morpholinocarbonyloxyethoxy-phenyl, 4-phenoxyphenyl, 4-propargyloxyphenyl, 4-propylphenyl, 4-tert.-butylcarbonylamino-phenyl, 4-tert. butylphe- nyl, 4-trifluoromethoxyphenyl, 4-trifluoromethylphenyl, 5-chloro-thien-2-yl, 5-methyl- fur-2-yl, 5-methylthien-2-yl, 6-benzothienyl, 7-benzothienyl, etc.

Where R2, and R20 together form a bridge the bridge is normally between vicinal carbon atom of Ar2. Thus annellated ring structures are formed, which may be substituted with one or two lower alkyl groups, preferably methyl. The bridge includes- (CH2) 3-,- (CH2) 4-, -O-(CH2) 3-,-CO-(CH2) 3-,-S-(CH2) 3-,-NH-(CH2) 3-,-O-(CH2) 2-,-O-(CH2) 2-O-, <BR> -O-CH2-CH (CH3)-O-,-O-CH2-O-,-CO-(CH2) 2-,-S-(CH2) 2-,-NH-(CH2) 2-,-CH2-O-CH2-, -CH2-CO-CH2-, -CH2-S-CH2-, -CH2-NH-CH2-, -CO-O-(CH2)2-, -CO-NH-(CH2) 2-, -NH-CO-(CH2) 2-,-CH2-CO-O-CH2-,-CO-S-(CH2) 2-,-NH-CO-CH2-,-O-CO-(CH2) 2-, -CH2-CO-O-,-CH2-O-CO-,-S-CO-(CH2) 2-,-CO-NH-CH2-and-CH2-CO-NH-CH2-, etc..

Where the acetals or ketals of-CO-R, $ are intended the acetals and ketals may appear as - C (Ci-C4alkoxy) 2-R, 8 or as cyclic structures wherein the former carbonyl carbon atom carries a dioxoalkylene bridge of the type -O-C1-C3alkylene-O- which optionally may be branched, including-O-CH2-O-,-O-CH (CH3)-O-,-O-(CH2) 2-O-,-O-(CH2) 3-O-, -O-CH2-CH (CH3)-O-, and the like.

Where R16 and R17 together with the nitrogen binding the two radicals may form a non- aromatic carbocyclic ring this radical stands for pyrrolidine, piperidine, morpholine or thiomorpholine ring, which may be substituted by one or two methyl groups.

The presence of at least one asymmetric carbon atom in the compounds of formula I means that the compounds may occur in optically isomeric, diastereomeric and enantiomeric forms. As a result of the presence of a possible aliphatic C=C double bond, geometric isomerism may also occur. Formula I is intended to include all those possible isomeric forms and mixtures thereof. Where no specific isomer is specified the mixtures of diastereomers, enantiomers or the racemate are meant, as obtainable from the disclosed synthesis methods. The optical isomers, diastereomers and enantiomers of formula I may be obtained in pure form either by isolation from the mixture by suitable separation methods, which are known in the art, or may be obtained by stereoselective synthesis methods.

In another embodiment of the invention, subgroups of compounds of formula) are those wherein An stands for optionally substituted aryl group; or An is optionally substituted phenyl ; or Ar2 stands for optionally substituted aryl ; or Ar2 is optionally substituted phenyl ; or Ar1 and Ar2 independently of each other stand for optionally substituted phenyl ; or the optional substituents Rig of Ar1 are preferably selected from the group comprising halogen, C1-C5alkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, Ct-C4haloalkoxy, C3-C6cycloalkyl, -CN and -CO-R, 8 ; or the optional substituents R20 of Ar2 are preferably selected from the group comprising halogen, C,-C5alkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4aikoxy, C1-C4haloalkoxy, C3-C6cycloalkyl,-CN,-CO-Ri8,-NRi6Ri7,-NR2-CO-Ri6,-NR3-CO-ORi 6,<BR> -NR2-CO-NR16R17,-NR2-CO-SR16,-NR2-CS-OR16,-NR2-CS-NR16Rr7,-N R2-CS-SR16, C1-C5alkylthio, C1-C5alkylsulfinyl, Ci-C5alkylsulfonyl, C,-C5haloalkylthio, C1-C5haloalkylsul- finyl, C1-C5haloalkylsulfonyl,-NR2-SO2-NRi6Rl7, nitro, cyano and-CS-NH2; or the optional substituents R15 and R20 of Ar1 and Ar2 are selected from the group comprising C1-C5alkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl, Ct-C4alkoxy, C1-C4haloalkoxy and C3-C6cycloalkyl ; or the optional substi- tuents Pis and R20 of Ar1 and Ar2 are selected from the group comprising bromo, chloro, fluoro, iodo, cyano, hydroxy, amino, nitro, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, allyloxy, propargyloxy, benzyloxy, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, 2-cyano-2-methyl-butyloxy, methylsulfonyl, methylsulfinyl, methylthio, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, aminocarbonylmethyl, methoximinoethyl, aminocarbonyl, butylcarbonylamino, tert-butylcarbonylamino, triazol-1-ylmethyl, 1,2, 4-triazol-1-ylmethyl, N-morpholinocar- bonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy-ethoxy, morpholinocarbonyloxyethoxy and cyanopyri- dyloxyethoxy ; or the optional substituents R15 and R20 of Ar1 and Ar2 are selected from the group comprising bromo, chloro, fluoro, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethyl and trifluoromethoxy ; or the optional substituent R21 on Ar2 is selected from optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted imidazolyl, optionally substituted thiazolyloxy, optionally substituted pyridyloxy, optionally substituted pyridyl, optionally substituted pyrimidinyloxy, optionally substituted pyrimidinyl, optionally substituted oxadiazolyl, optionally substituted triazolyl, optionally substituted pyrazolyl, optionally substituted oxadiazolyloxy, optionally substituted triazolyloxy and optionally substituted pyrazolyloxy ; or the optional substituent R21 on Ar2 is selected from halogen, C1-C5alkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, -CN, -NO2, -NR16R17, -CO- R18 and the acyclic or cyclic ketals and acetals of-CO-R18 ; or the optional substituent R21 on Ar2 is selected from-CO-R18,-O-CO-R18, optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substi- tuted phenoxy, optionally substituted imidazolyl, optionally substituted imidazolyloxy, optio- nally substituted thiazolyloxy, optionally substituted thiazolyl, optionally substituted thiadia- zolyloxy, optionally substituted thiadiazolyl, optionally substituted pyridyloxy, optionally substituted pyridyl, optionally substituted pyrimidinyloxy, optionally substituted pyrimidinyl, optionally substituted oxadiazolyl, optionally substituted oxadiazolyloxy, optionally substi- tuted triazolyl, optionally substituted pyrazolyl, optionally substituted triazolyloxy and optio- nally substituted pyrazolyloxy ; or the optional substituent R21 on Ar2 is selected from -CO-C1-C5alkyl, -O-CO-C1-C5alkyl and -CO-C1-C4alkoxy ; or the optional substituent R21 on Ar2 is selected from aminocarbonyl, dimethylaminocarbonyl, acetyl, propionyl, acetoxy, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, benzoyl, methoximinoethyl, 1-imidazolyl, 5- (3-methyl- 1,2, 4-thiadiazolyloxy), 2-pyridyl, 2-pyridyloxy, 4-pyrimidinyl, 2- (3, 5-dichloropyridyloxy), 2- (4, 6-dichloropyridyloxy), 2- (4, 6-dimethoxypyrimidinylthio), 2-oxadiazolyl, 2- (5-methyl- oxadiazolyl), 2- (5-ethyl-oxadiazolyl), 1-triazolyl, 1-pyrazolyl, 1- (3, 4-dimethylpyrazolyl), 4- (2-methylthiazolyl), 2- (1, 3, 4-oxydiazolyl), N-pyrrolidin-2-onyl, and 2-quinoxalinyl, or Ri, R2, R5, R6, R7 and R8 independently of each other stand for hydrogen or methyl ; or Ri and R5 are independently of each other C1-C5alkyl and R2 and R6 are hydrogen; or R3 is hydrogen or C,-C5alkyl optionally substituted with C1-C4alkoxy, C3-C4alkenyloxy, or C3-C4alkynyloxy ; or R3 is hydrogen, C1-C5alkyl or C1-C4alkoxy-C1-C5alkyl ; or R4 is hydrogen or C1-C5alkyl optionally substituted with halogen, C-C3alkoxy, Ci-Caatkyiamino or di-C1-C3alkylamino ; or R4 is hydrogen, C1-C5alkyl or C1-C5haloalkyl or R4 is C1-C5alkyl or C1-C5haloalkyl ; or Y stands for O-Rg, where Rg is hydrogen, substituted C1-C5alkyl ; C3-C5alkenyl, C3-C5alkynyl, phenyl, 4-halogenophenyl ; Rio and Rn independently of each other stand for hydrogen; C1-C5alkyl optionally substitu- ted by halogen, Cl-C5haloalkyl, Cl-C4alkoxy,,, Cl-C5alkylamino, di (C1-C5alkyl) amino, or aryl which in turn is optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5alkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy or -CN ; or stand for C3-C5alkenyl optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alk- oxy, C1-C5alkylamino, di (C1-C5alkyl) amino, or aryl which in turn is optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5alkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl, C,-C4alkoxy or-CN ; or stand for C3-C5alkynyl optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5haloalkyl, C,-C4alkoxy, Ci-Csaikyiamino, di (C1-C5alkyl) amino, or aryl which in turn is optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5alkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy or-CN; or stand for a group -NH-CH(R12) CO-Z; or Rio and R11 together form a 5-ring-membered non-aromatic carbocyclic ring; or together form a 6-ring-membered non-aromatic carbocyclic ring which is interrupted by -O-, -S- or -N (Cl-C5alkyl)- ; R12 designates C1-C5alkyl optionally substituted by halogen, C,-C5haloalkyl or aryl which in turn is optionally substituted by halogen, C,-C5alkyl, Ci-C5haloalkyl, C,-C4alkoxy, hydroxy or -CN ; Z is-ORg ; NR13R20 ; R13 and R20 independently of each other stand for hydrogen; C,-C5alkyl optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C5alkylamino, di (C1-C5alkyl) amino, or aryl which in turn is optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5alkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy or-CN; or stand for C3-C5alkenyl optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C5alkylamino, di (C1-C5alkyl) amino, or aryl which in turn is optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5alkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy or-CN; or stand for Ca-Csaikynyt optionatty substituted by halogen, Ci-C5haloalkyl, Ci-C4alkoxy, C1-C5alkylamino, di (C1-C5alkyl) amino, or aryl which in turn is optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5alkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy or-CN; or R13 and R20 together form a 5-ring-membered non-aromatic carbocyclic ring; or together form a 6-ring-membered non- aromatic carbocyclic ring which is interrupted by -O-, -S- or -N (C1-C5alkyl)-; W is-0- ; or X is a direct bond; or the suffixes (a) and (b) designate the number 1; or the suffix (c) stands for the number zero.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the subgroup of formula I is wherein Ar1 and Ar2 independently of each other stand for optionally substituted phenyl ; and the optional substituents R15 of Ar1 are preferably selected from the group comprising halogen, C1-C5alkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4haloalkoxy, C3-C6cycloalkyl, -CN and -CO-R18; and the optional substituents R20 of Ar2 are preferably selected from the group comprising halogen, C1-C5alkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4haloalkoxy, C3-C6cycloalkyl, -CN, - R16 NR2-CS-OR16, -NR2-CS-NR16R17, -NR2-CS-SR16, C1-C5alkylthio, C1-C5alkylsulfinyl, C1-C5alkylsulfonyl, Cl-C5haloalkylthio, Cl-C, 5haloalkylsulfinyl, Cl-C5haloalkylsulfonyl, -NR2-S02-NR16R17, nitro, cyano and-CS-NH2 ; and the optional substituent R21 on Ar2 is selected from optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted imidazolyl, optionally substituted thiazolyloxy, optionally substituted pyridyloxy, optionally substituted pyridyl, optionally substituted pyrimidinyloxy, optionally substituted pyrimidinyl, optionally substituted oxadiazolyl, optionally substituted triazolyl, optionally substituted pyrazolyl, optionally substituted oxadiazolyloxy, optionally substituted triazolyloxy and optionally substituted pyrazolyloxy.

Further preferred subgroups are those wherein A) Ar1 and Ar2 independently stand for optionally substituted aryl groups; and the optional substituents R15 of Ar1 are preferably selected from the group comprising halogen, C1-C5alkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4haloalkoxy, C3-C6cycloalkyl, -CN and -CO-R18 ; and the optional substituents R20 of Ar2 are preferably selected from the group comprising halogen, C,-C5alkyl, Ci-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C,-C4haloalkoxy, C3-C6cycloalkyl,-CN, -CO-R18, -NR16R17, -NR2-CO-R16, -NR3-CO-OR16, -NR2-CO-NR16R17, -NR2-CO-SR16, -NR2-CS-OR16, -NR2-CS-NR16R17, -NR2-CS-SR16, C1-C5alkylthio, C1-C5alkylsulfinyl, C1-C5alkylsulfonyl, Ci-C5haloalkylthio, C1-C5haloalkylsulfinyl, C,-C5haloalkylsulfonyl, -NR2-SO2-NR16R17, nitro, cyano and-CS-NH2; and the optional substituent R21 on Ar2 is selected from halogen, Ci-Cgatkyt, C,-C5haloalkyl, C,-C4alkoxy,-CN,-N02,-NR16R17,-CO-Ri8 and the acyclic or cyclic ketals and acetals of -CO-R18; -O-CO-R18, optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted imidazolyl, optionally substituted thiazolyloxy, optionally substituted pyridyloxy, optionally substituted pyridyl, optionally substituted pyrimidinyloxy, optionally substituted pyrimidinyl, optionally substituted oxadiazolyl, optionally substituted triazolyl, optionally substituted pyrazolyl, optionally substituted oxadiazolyloxy, optionally substituted triazolyloxy and optionally substituted pyrazolyloxy ; and Ri, R2, R5, R6, R7 and R8 independently of each other are hydrogen or methyl ; and R3 is hydrogen or C1-C5alkyl optionally substituted with C1-C4alkoxy, C3-C4alkenyloxy, or C3-C4alkynyloxy ; and R4 is hydrogen or C,-C5alkyl optionally substituted with halogen, C1-C3alkoxy, C1-C3alkylamino or di-C1-C3alkylamino ; and W is -O-; and Y is OR9, where Rg is hydrogen, Ci-C5alkyl ; C3-C5alkenyl, C3-C5alkynyl, 4-halogenophenyl or Y is NR10R11 and R10 and R11 independently of each other, stand for hydrogen; C1-C5alkyl, or aryl which in turn is optionally substituted by halogen, Ci-Csaikyi, C,-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy or-CN; or stand for C3-C5alkenyl ; or stand for C3-C5alkynyl ; or stand for a group-NH-CH (R12) CO-Z; or Rio and R1 together form a 5-ring-membered non-aromatic carbocyclic ring; or together form a 6-ring-membered non-aromatic carbocyclic ring which is interrupted by -O-, -S- or -N (C1-C5alkyl)-; R12 designates C,-C5alkyl ; Z is-OR9, NR13R14 ; R13 and R14 independently of each other, stand for hydrogen; C1-C5alkyl, or aryl which in turn is optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C5alkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy or-CN; or stand for C3-C5alkenyl ; or stand for C3-C5alkynyl ; or stand for a group-NH-CH (R12) CO-Y; or R13 and R14 together form a 5-ring-membered non-aromatic carbocyclic ring; or together form a 6-ring-membered non-aromatic carbocyclic ring which is interrupted by -O-, -S- or -N(C1-C5alkyl)-; X is a direct bond; and the suffixes (a) and (b) designate the number 1; and the suffix (c) stands for the number zero; or wherein B) Ar1 and Ar2 independently of each other stand for optionally substituted phenyl ; and the optional substituents R15 and R20 of Ar1 and Ar2 are selected from the group comprising C1-C5alkyl, C1-C5haloalkyl, C,-C4alkoxy, C1-C4haloalkoxy and C3-C6cycloalkyl ; and the optional substituent R21 on Ar2 is selected from -CO-C1-C5alkyl, -CO-C1-C4alkoxy, -O-CO-C1-C5alkyl, optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted phenoxy, optionally substituted imidazolyl, optionally substituted imidazolyloxy, optionally substituted thiazolyl- oxy, optionally substituted thiazolyl, optionally substituted thiadiazolyloxy, optionally substi- tuted thiadiazolyl, optionally substituted pyridyloxy, optionally substituted pyridyl, optionally substituted pyrimidinyloxy, optionally substituted pyrimidinyl, optionally substituted oxadia- zolyl, optionally substituted oxadiazolyloxy, optionally substituted triazolyl, optionally substi- tuted pyrazolyl, optionally substituted triazolyloxy and optionally substituted pyrazolyloxy ; and R, and R5 are independently C1-C5alkyl and R2 and R6 are hydrogen; and R3 is hydrogen, C1-C5alkyl or Ci-C4alkoxy-C1-C5alkyl ; and R4 is C1-C5alkyl or C1-C5haloalkyl ; and W is -O-; and Y is OR9, where Rg is hydrogen, C1-C5alkyl ;C3-C5alkenyl, C3-C5alkynyl, 4-halogenophenyl ; X is a direct bond; and the suffixes (a) and (b) designate the number 1; and the suffix (c) stands for the number zero; or wherein C) Ar1 and Ar2 independently of each other stand for optionally substituted phenyl ; and the optional substituents R15 and R20 of Ar1 and Ar2 are selected from the group comprising bromo, chloro, fluoro, iodo, cyano, hydroxy, amino, nitro, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, allyloxy, propargyloxy, benzyloxy, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, 2-cyano-2-methyl-butyloxy, methylsulfonyl, methylsulfinyl, methylthio, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, aminocarbonylmethyl, methoximinoethyl, aminocarbonyl, butylcarbonylamino, tert-butylcarbonylamino, triazol-1-ylmethyl, 1,2, 4-triazol-1-ylmethyl, N-morpholinocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy-ethoxy, morpholinocarbonyloxyethoxy and cyanopyridyloxyethoxy ; and the optional substituent R21 on Ar2 is selected from aminocarbonyl, dimethylaminocarbonyl, acetyl, propionyl, acetoxy, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, benzoyl, methoximinoethyl, 1-imidazolyl, 5-(3-methyl-1, 2, 4-thiadiazolyloxy), 2-pyridyl, 2-pyridyloxy, 4-pyrimidinyl, 2- (3, 5-dichloropyridyloxy), 2- (4, 6-dichloropyridyloxy), 2- (4, 6-dimethoxypyrimidinylthio), 2-oxadiazolyl, 2- (5-methyl-oxadiazolyl), 2- (5-ethyl-oxadiazolyl), 1-triazolyl, 1-pyrazolyl, 1- (3, 4-dimethylpyrazolyl), 4- (2-methylthiazolyl), 2- (1, 3, 4-oxydiazolyl), N-pyrrolidin-2-onyl, and 2-quinoxalinyl, and R, and R5 are independently C1-C5alkyl and R2 and R6 are hydrogen; and R3 is hydrogen, C1-C5alkyl or C1-C4alkoxy-C,-C5alkyl ; and R4 is C1-C5alkyl or Ci-Cshatoaiky) ; and W is -O-; and Y is OR9, where Rg is hydrogen, Ci-Csatky ! ; C3-C5alkenyl, C3-C5alkynyl, 4-halogenophenyl ; X is a direct bond; and the suffixes (a) and (b) designate the number 1; and the suffix (c) stands for the number zero; or wherein D) Ar1 and Ar2 independently of each other stand for optionally substituted phenyl ; and the optional substituents R15 and R20 of Ar1 and Ar2 are selected from the group comprising bromo, chloro, fluoro, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethyl and trifluoromethoxy ; and the optional substituent R21 on Ar2 is selected from aminocarbonyl, acetyl, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, 1-imidazolyl, 5-(3-methyl-1, 2, 4-thiadiazolyloxy), 2-pyridyl, 2-pyridyloxy, 4-pyrimidinyl, 2- (3, 5-dichloropyridyloxy), 2- (4, 6-dimethoxypyrimidinylthio), 2-oxadiazolyl, 2-(5-methyl-oxadiazolyl), 2-(5-ethyl-oxadiazolyl), 1-(1, 2, 4-triazolyl), 1-pyrazolyl, 4- (2-methylthiazolyl), 2- (1, 3, 4-oxydiazolyl), and N-pyrrolidin-2-onyl, and R1 and R5 are methyl and R2 and R6 are hydrogen; and R3 is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, ethoxymethyl or methoxymethyl, and R4 is methyl, ethyl, propyl or fluoromethyl ; and W is -O-; and Y is OR9, where Rg is hydrogen, Ci-Cgaiky) or halogenophenyl, or Y is NR10R11 ; X is a direct bond; and the suffixes (a) and (b) designate the number 1; and the suffix (c) stands for the number zero.

In particular, Rg is methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, tert.-butyl, 4-chlorophenyl, or 2-methylprop-1-yl ; Rio and Rn are hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, 4-methoxyphenyl, 4-methoxybenzyl, 4-chlorophenyl, propargyl, 1-phenyleth-1-yl, 2- (3, 4-dimethyoxy) eth-1-yi ; preferably, if Rio and R11 together form a 5-or 6-ring-membered ring, said ring is a pyrrolidine ring, a morpholine ring or a piperidine ring.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the compound of formula I is a compound of formula la wherein R1, R2, and R5 are hydrogen or methyl ; R3 is hydrogen, methyl, ethoxymethyl ; R4 is methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, fluoromethyl ; R6 is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl ; R, 5 is hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, more specifically, 2-fluoro, 4-chloro or 4-fluoro ; R20 is hydrogen, 3-methyl, 4-methyl, 4-isopropyl, 4-propen-1-yl, 4-propin-1-yl, 4-cyano, 4-hydroxy, 3-methoxy, 4-methoxy, 4-ethoxy, 4-methylthio, 4-methylsulfonyl, 4-trifuorome- thyl, 4-fluoro, 2-chloro, 3-chloro, 4-chloro, 4-bromo, 4-iodo, 2, 3-dichloro, 3, 4-dichloro or 2, 4-dichloro ; R21 is hydrogen, aminocarbonyl, dimethylaminocarbonyl, acetyl, propionyl, acetoxy, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, benzoyl, methoximinoethyl, 1-imidazolyl, 5- (3-methyl- 1,2, 4-thiadiazolyloxy), 2-pyridyl, 2-pyridyloxy, 4-pyrimidinyl, 4- (4-thiaimidazolyloxy), 2- (3, 5-dichloropyridyloxy), 2- (4, 6-dichloropyridyloxy), 2- (4, 6-dimethoxypyrimidinylthio), 2-oxadiazolyl, 2- (5-methyl-oxadiazolyl), 2- (5-ethyl-oxadiazolyl), 1-triazolyl, 1-pyrazolyi, 1- (3, 4-dimethylpyrazolyi), 1- (3, 5-dimethylpyrazolyl), 4- (2-methylthiazolyl), 1- (4-trifuoro- methylthiazolyloxy), 2- (1, 3, 4-oxydiazolyl), N-pyrrolidin-2-onyl, and 2-quinoxalinyl ; Y is hydrogen, hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropyloxy, 4-chlorophenyloxy, amino, methylamino, ethylamino, n-butylamino, dimethylamino, methylmethoxyamino, propargylamino, 4-methoxyphenylamino, 4-chlorophenylamino, 1-phenylethylamino, morpholino, 4-methoxybenzylamino, 3, 4-dimethoxyphenethylamino.

Preferred individual compounds are: 2, N-dimethyl-2-phenylmethanesulfonylamino-3- (- [1, 2,4] triazol-1-yl-phenoxy)-propionamide, 2-methyl-2-phenylmethanesulfonylamino-3- (4- [1, 2,4] triazol-1-yl-phenoxy)-propionic acid methyl ester, 2-methyl-2-phenylmethanesulfonylamino-3- (4- [1, 2,4] triazol-1-yl-phenoxy)-propionamide, 2-methyl-2-phenylmethanesulfonylamino-3- (4- [1, 2, 4]triazol-1-yl-phenoxy)-propionic acid, N- (4-chloro-phenyl)-2-methyl-2-phenylmethanesulfonylamino-3- (4- [1, 2,4] triazol-1-yl- phenoxy) -propionamide, N- (3-trifluoro-phenyl)-2-methyl-2-phenylmethanesulfonylamino-3 - (4- [1, 2,4] triazol-1-yl- phenoxy) -propionamide, N-(1-phenyl-ethyl)-2-methyl-2-phenylmethanesulfonylamino-3-( 4-[1, 2,4] triazol-1-yl- phenoxy) -propionamide, N- [2- (3, 4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-2-methyl-2-phenylmethanesulfonyla mino-3- (4- [1,2, 4] triazol-1-yl-phenoxy)-propionamide, <BR> <BR> <BR> 3- (4-ethoxy-phenoxy)-2, N-dimethyl-2-phenylmethanesulfonylamino-propionamide, <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 3- (4-thoxy-phenoxy)-2-methyl-N- (1-phenyl-ethyl)-2-phenylmethanesulfonylamino- propionamide, 3- (4-ethoxy-phenoxy)-2-methyl-N- (4-methoxy-benzyl)-2-phenylmethanesulfonylamino- propionamide, <BR> <BR> <BR> 2- (4-ethoxy-phenoxymethyl)-2-phenylmethanesulfonylamino-butyra mide, <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 3- (4-ethoxy-phenoxy)-2-methyl-N- [2- (3, 4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-2- phenylmethanesulfonylamino-propionamide, 3- (4-ethoxy-phenoxy)-2, N, N-trimethyl-2-phenylmethanesulfonylamino-propionamide, 3- (4-ethoxy-phenoxy)-2-methyl-2-phenylmethanesulfonylamino-N-p rop-2-ynyl- propionamide, <BR> <BR> <BR> 3- (4-ethoxyphenoxy)-2-methyl-2-phenylmethanesulfonylamino-1-mo rpholin-4-yl-propan-1- one, 3- (4-ethoxy-phenoxy)-N-methoxy-2, N-dimethyl-2-phenylmethanesulfonylamino- propionamide, N-methoxy-2-methyl-2-phenylmethanesulfonylamino-3- (4- [1, 2,4] triazol-1-yl-phenoxy)- propionamide, N- (-1-ethynyl-cyclohexyl)-2-methyl-2-phenylmethanesulfonylamin o-3- (4- [1, 2,4] triazol-1-yl- phenoxy) -propionamide, and 3- (4-ethoxy-phenoxy)-2-methyl-2-phenylmethanesulfonylamino- propionic acid methyl ester.

Surprisingly, with developing the compounds of formula I a new type of microbiocides has been provided which satisfies to a greater extend the need for an agent for controlling phytopathogenic microorganisms on crop plants having a high level of activity, paired with long lasting effective protection.

The compounds of formula I and the respective starting materials may be obtained according to the processes of Schemes 1 to 6.

Scheme 1 : wherein Ar1, Ar2, a, b, c, W, Y and R1 to R8, are defined as under formula 1, and A stands for a leaving group like an anhydride, i. e.-0-S02- (CRiR2) a-X-Ari or-O-CO-C1-C5alkyl, but preferably for halogen, especially bromine or more preferably chlorine.

The compounds of formula I may be prepared by sulfonylation of an a-amino-acid derivative of formula III with a sulfonyl-halide/anhydride of formula 11 wherein A is a leaving group, Suitable solvents for this reaction include ketones, such as acetone and methylethylketone, halogenated hydrocarbons such as chloroform, carbontetrachloride, dichloromethane, dichloro-ethane, aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene or xylene, ethers such as t-butyl- methyl-ether, di-ethyl-ether, tetrahydrofuran and dioxane. The reaction is performed prefe- rentially in the presence of a base and a catalyst. Typical bases include tertiary amines such as trimethylamine, triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, dimethyl-aniline, diazabi-cyc- looctane and N-methylmorpholine, aromatic amines such pyridine and quinoline as weil as inorganic bases such as alkaline bicarbonates or-carbonates. Typical salts are for example sodium and potassium bicarbonate and sodium, potassium or cesium carbonate. Suitable catalysts such as N, N-dialkyl- or cyloalkyl-aminopyridines, like e. g.

4-N, N-dimethylaminopyridine, may improve the yield.

The substituents R3 may be introduced into the final active ingredients when starting from the subgroup compounds of formula I wherein R3 is hydrogen, by reacting them e. g. with an alkylating agent R3-A'wherein A'designates a leaving group, preferably a halogen atom, e. g. bromo or chloro. Suitable alkylating agents thus include suitably substituted alkylhalides or alkyl-O-sulfonates, e. g. or alkoxy-alkylhalides. On the other hand, when introducing R3 with the starting compounds of formula lil, alkylating of the compounds of the subgroup of formula III, wherein R3 is hydrogen, may be achieved in a similar way by any commonly known alkylation method. Such alkylation prior to sulfonylation with a compound of formula 11, as alternative to converting R3 within the final products of formula 1, allows to introduce a wide variety of radicals R3 while leaving the choice to decide at which stage such optional conversion is preferably performed. a-Amino-acid derivatives of formula III may easily be prepared by the so-called Strecker- Synthesis according to Scheme 2 as described e. g. generically in any textbook on organic chemistry, or in a procedure disclosed in the patent literature (EP-A-953565-A; Nihon Noyaku or US 3,529, 019, Colgate-Palmolive) starting from the corresponding ketone of formula IV.

Scheme 2 Preparation of the ketones/intermediate aminonitriles are described in patent application nos. GB 0214116.6 and PCT/EP03/06482, which are incorporated by reference for all useful purposes.

Further methods to prepare sulfonylation agent of formula 11 are known to the artisan.

General ways of preparing such compounds are e. g. described in Houben Weyl, Vol. E11, p 1067 ff (1985).

Another synthesis to prepare compounds of formula I is described in Scheme 3.

Scheme 3 Compounds of formula (V) wherein Ar2, a, b, c, W, Y and R, to R8 are defined as under formula I and L is a leaving group such as e. g. halogen, preferably chlorine, bromine or iodine or a sulfonyloxy group such a e. g. methylsulfonyloxy-, toluylsulfonyloxy-or trifluoro- methylsulfonyloxy-group, is coupled with a compound of formula Ari-X'wherein X'is either an anionic radical species of X such as O-, S~, SO-, SO2-combined with an alkaline-or earthalkaline-metal cation as counterion or is defined as X-H such as OH, SH, NHR3. In this case the reactions are generally carried out in the presence of a base such as alkaline-, earthalkaline-carbonates or hydrogencarbonates such e. g. sodium or potassium-carbonate, sodium or potassium-hydrogen-carbonate, cesium-carbonate or an agent capable of scavenging the formed acid. a-Aminoacids of formula (III) wherein Ar1, Ar2, a, b, c, W, Y and R, to R8, are defined as under formula 1, may also be prepared by adaptation of methods developed by Seebach (Angew. Chem. lnt. Ed. 1996, 35, 2708-2748) as described in Scheme 4. The methods described by Seebach allow both the preparation of racemic and of enantiomerically pure aminoacids of either absolute configuration.

Scheme 4: Scope and limitations with respect of stereochemistry and the substituents are well known from the literature. The symbol T in formula (VI) designates a protecting group such as the t-butyloxycarbonyi-or benzyloxycarbonyl-groups, often referred to as (BOC) -or (Z)- groups. L designate a leaving group as defined above. Consecutive alkylation of compounds (VI), which may be either racemic or a pure enantiomer of either configuration yields, following the rules elaborated by Seebach, through the intermediate compounds (IX) and (X) compounds (III) in racemic form or as pure enantiomeres of either configuration.

Yet another way to prepare intermediate amino acid derivatives of formula (III) is described in Scheme 5.

Alkylation of malonic-acid derivatives of formula (XI), where R stands for C1-C5-alkyl, preferrably for methyl, with compounds (VIII), which themselves may be prepared as described e. g. in Acta Chemica Scandinavica, 53 (1), 41-47 (1999) leads to compounds (XII) were Ar2, R5-R8, b, c and W are defined as above. Hydrolysis of compounds of formula (XII) by alkali-or earthalkali-bases in solvents like alkohols with addition of water gives the mono-ester derivatives of formula (XIII). In analogy to methods described in the literature (F. Björkling et al. Tetrahedron 1985, 41 (7), 1347) enantiomerically pure compounds of formula (XIII) may be optained by kinetic resolution using ester hydrolysing enzymes such as esterases or more specifically pig liver esterases. The racemic or enantiomerically pure intermediates of formula (XIII) are then transformed to the compounds of formula (XIV) or (XV) by a Curtius rearrangement as e. g. described by K. Ninomiya, T. Shiori, S. Yamada, Tetrahedron 1974, 30, 2151. By transformations well known in the field of amino-acid chemistry intermediate compounds XIV respectively XV lead to compounds (III).

Scheme 5: Yet another way to prepare intermediate amino acid derivatives of formula (III) is described in Scheme 6: Oxiranes of formula XVI where R5, R6 are lower alkyl, in particular Ci-C5-alkyl, or hydrogen and R4 is defined as above are in a racemic form prepared by methods described in the genereal literature. Enantiomerically pure oxiranes of formula XVI are e. g. prepared by methods described by Sharpless (assymetric Sharpless epoxidation). Transformations to the compounds XVII, XVIII and XIX and the ring opening of the aziridines of formula XXI where W means OH, SH, NH2 are achieved in analogy to procedures described e. g. Castro et al, Tetrahedron Asymmetry 13 (2002) 1321-1325 or e. g. Goodman et al. J. org. Chem.

1995,60, 790-791 or e. g. Pritchard et al. Tetrahedron, 52 (40), 13035-13050 (1996).

Scheme 6: Enantiomeric mixtures of formula I may be separated into the enantiomers by chromatography on chiral stationary phase or by classical methodes of fractionated crystallization of diastereomeric salts of a suitable precursor and subsequent conversion into the desired products. Enantiomers or diastereoisomers may also be prepared by enantioselective or diastereoselective synthesis methods.

The compounds of formula I are oils or solids at room temperature and are distinguished by valuable microbiocidal properties. They can be used in the agricultural sector or related fields preventatively and curatively in the control of plant-destructive microorganisms. The compounds of formula I according to the invention are distinguished at low rates of concen- tration not only by outstanding microbiocidal, especially fungicidal, activity but also by being especially well tolerated by plants.

Surprisingly, it has now been found that the compounds of formula I have for practical pur- poses a very advantageous microbiocidal spectrum in the control of phytopathogenic micro- organisms, especially fungi. They possess very advantageous curative and preventive pro- perties and are used in the protection of numerous crop plants. With the compounds of for- mula I it is possible to inhibit or destroy phytopathogenic microorganisms that occur on vari- ous crops of useful plants or on parts of such plants (fruit, blossom, leaves, stems, tubers, roots), while parts of the plants which grow later also remain protected, for example, against phytopathogenic fungi.

The novel compounds of formula I prove to be effective against specific genera of the fun- gus class Fungi imperfecti (e. g. Cercospora), Basidiomycetes (e. g. Puccinia) and Ascomy- cetes (e. g. Erysiphe and Venturia) and especially against Oomycetes (e. g. Plasmopara, Pe- ronospora, Pythium and Phytophthora). They therefore represent in plant protection a valu- able addition to the compositions for controlling phytopathogenic fungi. The compounds of formula I can also be used as dressings for protecting seed (fruit, tubers, grains) and plant cuttings from fungal infections and against phytopathogenic fungi that occur in the soil.

The invention relates also to compositions comprising compounds of formula I as active ingredient, especially plant-protecting compositions, and to the use thereof in the agri- cultural sector or related fields.

In addition, the present invention includes the preparation of those compositions, wherein the active ingredient is homogeneously mixed with one or more of the substances or groups of substances described herein. Also included is a method of treating plants which is distin- guished by the application of the novel compounds of formula I or of the novel compositions.

Target crops to be protected within the scope of this invention comprise, for example, the following species of plants : cereals (wheat, barley, rye, oats, rice, maize, sorghum and related species); beet (sugar beet and fodder beet); pomes, stone fruit and soft fruit (apples, pears, plums, peaches, almonds, cherries, strawberries, raspberries and black- berries); leguminous plants (beans, lentils, peas, soybeans); oil plants (rape, mustard, poppy, olives, sunflowers, coconut, castor oil plants, cocoa beans, groundnuts); cucurbi- taceae (marrows, cucumbers, melons); fibre plants (cotton, flax, hemp, jute); citrus fruit (oranges, lemons, grapefruit, mandarins); vegetables (spinach, lettuce, asparagus, cabbages, carrots, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, paprika); lauraceae (avocado, cinnamon, camphor) and plants such as tobacco, nuts, coffee, sugar cane, tea, pepper, vines, hops, bananas and natural rubber plants, and also ornamentals.

The compounds of formula I are normally used in the form of compositions and can be applied to the area or plant to be treated simultaneously or in succession with other active ingredients. Those other active ingredients may be fertilisers, micronutrient donors or other preparations that influence plant growth. It is also possible to use selective herbicides or insecticides, fungicides, bactericides, nematicides, molluscicides or mixtures of several of those preparations, if desired together with further carriers, surfactants or other application- promoting adjuvants customarily employed in formulation technology.

The compounds of formula I can be mixed with other fungicides, resulting in some cases in unexpected synergistic activities. Such mixtures are not limited to two active ingredients (one of formula I and one of the list of other fungicides), but to the contrary many comprise more than one active ingredient of the component of formula I and more than one other fungicide. Mixing components which are particularly suited for this purpose include e. g.

Azoles, such as azaconazole, bitertanol, bromuconazole, cyproconazole, difenoconazole, diniconazole, epoxiconazole, fenbuconazole, fluquinconazole, flusilazole, flutriafol, hexa- conazole, imazalil, S-imazalil, imibenconazole, ipconazole, metconazole, myclobutanil, oxpoconazole, pefurazoate, penconazole, pyrifenox, prochloraz, propiconazole, prothiocon- azole, simeconazole, tebuconazole, tetraconazole, triadimefon, triadimenol, triflumizole and triticonazole ; pyrimidinyl carbinoles, such as ancymidol, fenarimol and nuarimol ; 2-amino- pyrimidines, such as bupirimate, dimethirimol and ethirimol ; morpholines, such as dodemorph, fenpropidine, fenpropimorph, spiroxamine and tridemorph; anilinopyrimidines, such as cyprodinil, mepanipyrim and pyrimethanil ; pyrroles, such as fenpiclonil and fludioxonil ; phenylamides, such as benalaxyl, furalaxyl, metalaxyl, R-metalaxyl, ofurace and oxadixyl ; benzimidazoles, such as benomyl, carbendazim, debacarb, fuberidazole and thiabendazole ; dicarboximides, such as chlozolinate, dichlozoline, iprodione, myclozoline, procymidone and vinclozoline ; carboxamides, such as carboxin, fenfuram, flutolanil, furametpyr, mepronil, oxycarboxin and thifluzamide ; guanidines, such as guazatine, dodine and iminoctadine; strobilurines, such as azoxystrobin, dimoxystrobin (SSF-129), fluoxa- strobin, kresoxim-methyl, metominostrobin, orysastrobin, picoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin and trifloxystrobin ; dithiocarbamates, such as ferbam, mancozeb, maneb, metiram, propineb, thiram, zineb and ziram; N-halomethylthiotetrahydrophthalimides, such as captafol, captan, dichlofluanid, fluoromides, folpet and tolyfluanid ; Copper-compounds, such as Bordeaux mixture, copper hydroxide, copper oxychloride, copper sulfate, cuprous oxide, mancopper and oxine-copper; nitrophenol-derivatives, such as dinocap and nitrothal-isopropyl ; organo- P-derivatives, such as edifenphos, iprobenphos, isoprothiolane, phosdiphen, pyrazophos and tolclofos-methyl ; various others, such as acibenzolar-S-methyl, anilazine, benthiava- licarb, blasticidin-S, boscalid, chinomethionate, chloroneb, chlorothalonil, IKF-916 (proposed name cyazofamid), cyflufenamid, cymoxanil, dichlone, diclomezine, dicloran, diethofencarb, dimethomorph, ethaboxam, fenoxanil, SYP-LI90 (proposed name: flumorph), dithianon, etridiazole, famoxadone, fenamidone, fentin, ferimzone, fluazinam, flusulfamide, fenhexa- mid, fosetyl-aluminium, hymexazol, iprovalicarb, kasugamycin, methasulfocarb, metrafe- none, pencycuron, phthalide, picobenzamid, polyoxins, probenazole, propamocarb, pyroqui- lon, proquinazid, quinoxyfen, quintozene, silthiofam, sulfur, triazoxide, triadinil, tricyclazole, triforine, validamycin, or zoxamide.

In the above mentioned mixtures, the mixture ratio of the active ingredients is so selected that it reaches optional control of the phytopathogenic microorganism on the host plants.

This ratio is in general between 100: 1 and 1: 100, more preferably between 10: 1 and 1: 10 of a compound of formula I vis-a-vis the second fungicide. The mixtures may not only comprise one of the listed combinational active ingredients, but may comprise more than one additional active ingredients selected from that specified group, thus forming for example 3-way-or even 4-way-mixtures.

Suitable carriers and surfactants may be solid or liquid and correspond to the substances ordinarily employed in formulation technology, such as e. g. natural or regenerated mineral substances, solvents, dispersants, wetting agents, tackifiers, thickeners, binders or fertilisers. Such carriers and additives are described, for example, in WO 95/30651.

A preferred method of applying a compound of formula 1, or an agrochemical composition comprising at least one of those compounds, is application to the foliage (foliar application), the frequency and the rate of application depending upon the risk of infestation by the pathogen in question. The compounds of formula I may also be applied to seed grains (coating) either by impregnating the grains with a liquid formulation of the active ingredient or by coating them with a solid formulation.

The compounds of formula I are used in unmodified form or, preferably, together with the adjuvants conventionally employed in formulation technology, and are for that purpose advantageously formulated in known manner e. g. into emulsifiable concentrates, coatable pastes, directly sprayable or dilutable solutions, dilute emulsions, wettable powders, soluble powders, dusts, granules, and by encapsulation in e. g. polymer substances. As with the nature of the compositions, the methods of application, such as spraying, atomising, dusting, scattering, coating or pouring, are chosen in accordance with the intended object- ives and the prevailing circumstances.

Advantageous rates of application are normally from 1 g to 2 kg of active ingredient (a. i.) per hectare (ha), preferably from 10 g to 1 kg a. i./ha, especially from 25 g to 750 g a. i./ha.

When used as seed dressings, rates of from 0.001 g to 5.0 g of active ingredient per kg of seed are advantageously used.

The formulations, i. e. the compositions, preparations or mixtures comprising the com- pound (s) (active ingredient (s) ) of formula I and, where appropriate, a solid or liquid adjuvant, are prepared in known manner, e. g. by homogeneously mixing and/or grinding the active ingredient with extenders, e. g. solvents, solid carriers and, where appropriate, surface-active compounds (surfactants).

Further surfactants customarily used in formulation technology will be known to the person skilled in the art or can be found in the relevant technical literature.

The agrochemical compositions usually comprise 0.01 to 99 % by weight, preferably 0.1 to 95 % by weight, of a compound of formula 1, 99.99 to 1 % by weight, preferably 99.9 to 5 % by weight, of a solid or liquid adjuvant, and 0 to 25 % by weight, preferably 0.1 to 25 % by weight, of a surfactant.

Whereas commercial products will preferably be formulated as concentrates, the end user will normally employ dilute formulations.

The compositions may also comprise further ingredients, such as stabilisers, antifoams, viscosity regulators, binders and tackifiers, as well as fertilisers or other active ingredients for obtaining special effects.

The Examples which follow illustrate the invention described above, without limiting the scope thereof in any way. Temperatures are given in degrees Celsius. The compounds are numbered with the compound number of the table given below.

Preparation Examples : Example P1 : 2-Methyl-2-phenylmethanesulfonylamino-3- (4- [1, 2,4] triazol-1-yl-phenoxy)- propionic acid (Tab. 100) 15.9 g 2- [ (4- [1, 2,4] triazol-1-yl-phenoxy)-methyl]-2-benzylsusfonylamino-butyroni trile are added to 100 ml conc. hydrogen chloride solution with stirring. The suspension is heated to +80 °C for 4 hours, cooled to room temperature the formed solid is filtered off and thoroughly washed with water and re-crystallized from i-propanol. Yield 9.83 g white crystals. M. p. 148-151 °C Example P2: 2-Methyl-2-phenylmethanesulfonylamino-3- (4- [1, 2, 4] triazol-1-yl-phenoxy)- propionamide (Tab.: 101) 1.98 g 2- [ (4- [1, 2,4] Triazol-1-yi-phenoxy)-methyl]-2-benzylsulfonylamino-butyroni trile, 1.3 g potassium hydroxide, 4 drops of hydro-peroxide (30 %) in 10 ml water are stirred for 18 hours at room temperature. After addition of 60 ml water the solution is acidified to pH 2 by addition of a 2 N hydrogen chloride solution and extracted with ethyl acetate. After evaporation of the solvent the residue is subjected to flash chromatography (eluant : ethyl acetate) to give 0.160 g of the product as white crystals. M. p. 195-198 °C.

Example P3: 3- (4-Ethoxy-phenoxy)-2-methyl-2-phenylmethanesulfonylamino- propionic acid methyl ester. (Tab.: 082) a) 1-Ethoxy-4-methylsulfanylmethoxy-benzene 45.0 g of 4-ethoxyphenol is added to a solution of 40.2 g of potassium t-butylate in 500 ml of tetrahydrofurane and stirred for 10 minutes. The solvent is thoroughly evaporated on the rotavap and the residue dissolved in 200 ml dimethylformamide. 40.9 g of chloromethyl- methylsulfide are added drop wise over 1 h letting the reaction mixture warm up to +41 °C.

Stirring is continued for 3.5 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture is poured into water and extracted with ethyl acetate, washed with brine and water, dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent evaporated. Flash chromatography (eluant : hexane/ethyl acetate 98: 2) yielded 36.3 g of yellow oil. b) 1-Chlormethoxy-4-ethoxy-benzene 38 g of 1-ethoxy-4-methylsulfanylmethoxy-benzene are dissolved in 300 ml of dichloromethane and 26.2 g of sulfuryl chloride are added slowly (slightly exothermic). After 2 hours of stirring at room temperature the solvent is evaporated thoroughly to yield 36.2 of yellow-brown oil, which is used in the following reaction without further purification. c) 2- (4-Ethoxy-phenoxy-methyl)-2-methyl-malonic acid dimethyl ester 11.5 g of sodium hydride (55 % in oil) are suspended in 150 ml of tetrahydrofurane under nitrogen atmosphere. 29.6 g of methyl-malonic acid dimethyl ester are added during 20 minutes while maintaining the temperature at +25°C by cooling. Stirring is continued until the gas evolution ceased. 37.8 g of 1-Chlormethoxy-4-ethoxy-benzene are then added over a period of 20 minutes maintaining the temperature at around +30°C. After 1.5 hours the mixture is cooled to +5°C and 25 ml of ammonium chloride is added carefully, then poured into water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is washed with brine and dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and the solvent evaporated. Flash chromatography (eluant : hexane/ethyl acetate 95: 5) yielded 41.6 g of a slightly yellow powder. d) 2- (4-Ethoxy-phenoxy-methyl)-2-methyl-malonic acid mono methyl ester 36.4 g of 2- (4-Ethoxy-phenoxy)-2-methyl-malonic acid dimethyl ester are dissolved in 450 mi methanol. A solution of 8.9 g potassium hydroxide pellets dissolved in 30 mi of water is added over a period of 20 minutes and stirring is continued for 20 hours at room temperature. Methanol is evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue dissolved in water and neutral residues extracted with t-butyl-methyl ether. The water phase is acidified to pH 3 and extracted with ethyl acetate, the organic extract washed with brine and dried over sodium sulfate. Evaporation of the solvent yielded 33.4 g of a slightly yellow powder pure enough for further reactions. e) N-t-butoxycarbonyl-3- (4-ethoxy-phenoxy)-2-methyl-propionic acid methyl ester 32.8 g of 2- (4-Ethoxy-phenoxy)-2-methyl-malonic acid mono methyl ester are dissolved in dry toluene by slight warming followed by the addition of 12.9 g of triethylamine and 41.6 g diphenylphosphoryl azide (DPPA). The mixture is slowly heated to reflux. A vigorous evolution of gas started at a temperature of about +75 °C. After 2.5 hours refluxing 80 ml of dry t-butanol is slowly added and refluxing continued for 12 hours. The solvents of the reaction mixture are evaporated and the residue extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is washed with citric acid solution (5 %), saturated potassium carbonate solution and brine, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to yield after flash chromatography (eluant : hexane/ethyl acetate 9: 1) 14.8 g of a slightly yellow oil. f) 2-Amino-3- (4-ethoxy-phenoxy)-2-methyl-propionic acid methyl ester 0.57 g N-t-Butoxycarbonyl-3- (4-ethoxy-phenoxy)-2-methyl-propionic acid methyl ester are dissolved in 20 mi 1 N trifluoroacetic acid in dichloromethane. After 3.5 hours at room temperature the solvents are evaporated to yield 0.41 g product. g) 0.340 g 2-amino-3- (4-ethoxy-phenoxy)-2-methyl-propionic acid methyl ester are dissolved in 10 ml tetrahydrofurane followed by the addition of 0.310 g of 1, 4-diazabicyclo [2,2, 2] oc- tane DABCO and 0.310 g of phenyl-methansulfo-chloride. After stirring for 20 hours at room temperature the mixture was without further work-up procedure subjected to flash chromatography (eluant : hexane/ethyl acetate 3: 1) to give 0.301 g 3- (4-ethoxy-phenoxy)-2- methy,-2-pheny, methanesu, fonylamino-propionic acid methyl ester as resinous oil.

Example P4: 3- (4-Ethoxy-phenoxy)-N-methoxy-2, N-dimethyl-2-phenylmethanesul- fonylamino-propionamide (Tab.: 083) a) 14.8 g N-t-Butoxycarbonyl-3- (4-ethoxy-phenoxy)-2-methyl-propionic acid methyi ester are dissolved in 200 ml methanol and a solution of 5.5 g potassium hydroxide pellets dissolved in 10 ml of water added to it. After heating to reflux for 20 hours the solvents are evaporated, the residue treated with water and neutral organic matter removed by extraction with t-butyl-methylether The water phase is made acidic by addition of 2N hydrogen chloride solution and extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate solution is washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to yield 13.5 g N-t-butoxycarbonyl-3- (4-ethoxy-phenoxy)-2-methyl-propionic acid as a slightly brown resinous product which is used for further reactions without purification. b) 1.0 g of N-t-Butoxycarbonyl-3- (4-ethoxy-phenoxy)-2-methyl-propionic acid, 0. 316g methoxy-methylamine hydrochloride and 0.960 g tri-ethylamine are mixed in 20 ml dichloromethane. After addition of 0.825 g bis- (2-oxo-3-oxazolidinyl) phosphinic acid chloride (BOPP-CI) the mixture is stirred for 18 hours at room temperature. The solvent is then evaporated and the residue, without further work-up procedure, subjected to flash to give 0. 190 g N-t-butoxycarbonyl-3 (4-ethoxy-phenoxy)-2-methyl-N-methyl-N-methoxy- propionamide. c) 0.180 g N-t-Butoxycarbonyl-3- (4-ethoxy-phenoxy)-2-methyl-N-methyl-N-methoxy- propionamide dissolved in 6 ml of 1 N trifluoro-acetic acid in dichloromethane are stirred at room temperature for 20 hours. The solvent is evaporated, water added and made basic to pH 8 by addition of 2 N sodium hydroxide. After extraction with ethyl. acetate, washing of the organic phase with brine and drying it over sodium sulfate 0.100 g of 3- (4-ethoxy-phenoxy)- 2-methyl-N-methyl-N-methoxy-propionamide are recovered and used in the next step without further purification. d) 0.100 g 3- (4-ethoxy-phenoxy)-2-methyl-N-methyl-N-methoxy-propionamide and 0.081 g DABCO are dissolved in 8 ml tetrahydrofurane. After addition of 0.081 phenyl- methansulfochlorid the mixture is stirred for 20 hours at room temperature. This mixture is then subjected to flash chromatography without further work-up to yield 45 mg of a white solid. M. p. 179-181 °C.

Example P5: 3- (4-Ethoxy-phenoxy)-2-methyl-2-phenylmethanesulfonylamino-1- morpholin-4-yl-propan-1-one (Tab.: 092) 0.370 g 2-Amino-3- (4-ethoxy-phenoxy)-2methyl-1-morpholin-4-yi-propan-1-one and 0.276 g DABCO are dissolved in 8 ml tetrahydrofurane. After addition of 0.274 phenyl-methane sulfonyl chloride the mixture is stirred for 20 h at room temperature. This mixture is then subjected to flash chromatography without further work-up to yield 260 mg of a white solid.

M. p. 109-111 °C.

Example P6: 3- (4-Ethoxy-phenoxy)-2-methyl-2-phenylmethanesulfonylamino-N-p rop-2- ynyl-propionamide (Tab.: 087) 0.880 g 2-Amino-3- (4-ethoxy-phenoxy)-2methyl- N-prop-2-ynyl-propionamide and 0.233 g DABCO are dissolved in 8 ml tetrahydrofurane. After addition of 0.232 phenyl-methansul- fonyl chloride the mixture is stirred for 20 hours. This mixture is then subjected to flash chromatography without further work-up to yield 320 mg of a white solid. M. p. 155-156 °C. Example P7: (+)-3- (4-Chloro-phenoxy)-2-methyl-2-phenylmethanesulfonylamino- propionamide a) (+)-2- (4-chlor-phenoxy-methyl)-2-methyl-malonic acid mono methyl ester 300 mi Phosphate buffer are heated to 30 °C and 124 mg of pig liver esterase are added and left for 15 minutes 3 g of 2-(4-chlor-phenoxy-methyl)-2-methy,-malonic acid dimethyl ester in 10 mi of isopropanol the mixture is stirred at +30°C for 17 hours. The reaction mixture is extracted with ethylacetate to remove neutral organic matter, the remaining solution acidified to pH 2 with 2N hydrogenchlorid and extracted again with ethylacetate.

The organic extract is dried over sodium sulfate, the solvent evaporated and the residue chromatographed (RP-18 column, eluant : acetonitril/water 1: 1). Yield 1.73 g, M. p. 93 °C [a] = + 6, 9° (c= 0.0109 g ml-1 acetonitrile). b) (-)-N-t-butoxycarbonyl-3- (4-chloro-phenoxy)-2-methyl-propionic acid methyl ester is prepared as described above. [a] =-93. 7 ° (c= 0.0099 g ml-1 acetonitrile). c) (-)-N-t-butoxycarbonyl-3- (4-chloro-phenoxy)-2-methyl-propionic acid amide [a] =-3. 7 ° (c= 0,0111 g ml-1 acetonitrile). d) (+)-3- (4-Chloro-phenoxy)-2-methyl-2-phenylmethanesulfonylamino-pro pionamide, [a] = + 9.4 ° (c = 0.0101 g ml-1 dimethylsulfoxide) In analogous manner the compounds of following Table 1 are obtained.

Table No, R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 (R15)N (R20)N R21 Y m.p.[°C] 001 H H H CH3 H H H 2-Cl H OH 002 H H H CH2CH3 H H H 2-Cl H OH 003 H H H CH3 H H H 2-Cl H NH2 004 H H H CH2CH3 H H H 2-Cl H NH2 005 H H H CH3 H H H 2-Cl H NHCH3 006 H H H CH2CH3 H H H 2-Cl H NHCH3 007 H H H CH3 H H H 2-Cl H N (CH3)2 008 H H H CH2CH3 H H H 2-Cl H OCH3 009 H H H CH3 H H H 2-Cl H OCH2CH3 010 H H H CH2CH3 H H H 2-Cl H morpholino 011 H H H CH3 H H H 2-Cl H OCH3 012 H H H CH3 H H H 2,3-Cl2 H OH 013 H H H CH2CH3 H H H 2,3-Cl2 H OH 014 H H H CH3 H H H 3,4-Cl2 H OH 015 H H H CH3 H H H 2,4-Cl2 H OH 016 H H H CH3 H H H 4-CF3 H OH No, R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 (R15)n (R20)n R21 Y m.p.[°C] 017 H H H CH2CH3 H H H 4-CF3 H OH 018 H H H CH3 H H H 2,3-Cl2 H OCH3 019 H H H CH2CH3 H H H 2,3-Cl2 H OCH3 020 H H H CH3 H H H 3,4-Cl2 H OCH3 021 H H H CH3 H H H 2,4-Cl2 H OCH3 022 H H H CH3 H H H 4-CF3 H OCH3 023 H H H CH2CH3 H H H 4-CF3 H OCH3 024 H H H CH3 H H H 2,3-Cl2 H NHCH3 025 H H H CH2CH3 H H H 2,3-Cl2 H NHCH3 026 H H H CH3 H H H 3,4-Cl2 H NHCH3 027 H H H CH3 H H H 2,4-Cl2 H NHCH3 028 H H H CH3 H H H 4-CF3 H NHCH3 029 H H H CH2CH3 H H H 4-CF3 H NHCH3 030 H H H CH3 H H H 4- CH (CH3)2 H OCH3 031 H H H CH3 H H H 4-Cl H OCH3 032 H H H CH3 H H 4-Cl 4-Cl H OCH3 033 H H H CH2CH3 H H H 4-Cl H OCH3 034 H H CH3 CH3 H H H 4-Cl H OCH3 035 H H H CH2CH3 CH3 H H 4-Cl H OCH3 036 H H H CH2CH3 CH3 CH2CH3 H 4-Cl H NHCH3 037 H H H CH3 CH3 CH3 H 4-Cl H NHCH3 No, R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 (R15)n (R20)n R21 Y m.p.[°C] 038 H H H CH3 H H H 3-OCH3,4-Cl H OH 039 H H H CH3 H H H 4-OCF3 H OCH3 040 H H H CH2CH3 H H H 4-OCF3 H OCH3 041 H H H CH3 H H H 4-F H OCH3 042 H H H CH3 H H 4-F 4-F H OCH3 043 CH3 H H CH3 H H H 4-F H NHCH3 044 H H H CH2CH3 H H H 4-F H NHCH3 045 H H H CH3 H H H 4- CH3 H OCH3 046 H H H CH3 H H 4-F 4- CH3 H OCH3 047 H H H CH2CH3 H H H 4- CH3 H NHCH3 048 H H H CH3 H H H 3- CH3 H OH 049 H H H CH3 H H H 4-OCH3 H OCH3 050 H H H CH2CH3 H H H 4-OCH3 H OCH3 051 H H H CH2CH3 CH3 CH3 H 4-OCH3 H NHCH3 052 H H H CH3 CH3 CH3 H 4-OCH3 H OH 053 H H H CH2CH3 CH3 CH2CH3 H 4-OCH3 H OH 054 H H H CH2CH3 H H H 3-Cl; 4-OCH3 H OCH3 055 H H H CH3 H H H 3-Cl; 4-OCH3 H OCH3 056 H H H CH3 H H H 2-F; 4-OCH3 H OCH3 057 H H H CH3 H H H 2-Cl; 4-OCH3 H OCH3 No, Ri R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 (Ri5) n (R20) 069 H H H CH2CH3 H H H 4-SCH3 H OH 070 H H H CH3 H H H 4-SO2CH3 H OCH3 071 H H H CH2CH3 H H H 4-CN H OH 072 H H H CH3 H H H 4-CN H OH 073 H H H (CH2) H H H 4-CN H OH 074 H H H CH2 (CH3) 2 H H H 4-CN H OH 075 H H H CH3 H H H H N-N OCH3 (4)-</ 0 076 H H H CH2CH3 H H H H (4) zu 077 H H H CH2CH3 H H H 4-OCH2CH3 H OH 078 H H H CH3 H H H 4-OCH2CH3 H NH-CH (CH3)- phenyl 079 H H H CH3 H H H 4-OCH2CH3 179-181 080 H H H CH3 H H H 4-OCH2CH3 H NH (CH2) 2-3, methoxy- phenyl 081 H H CH3 H H H 4-OCH2CH3 H N (CH3) 156-157 082 H H H CH3 H H H 4-OCH2CH3 H OCH3 resinous oil 083 H H H CH3 H H H 4-OCH2CH3 H NH2 solid 084 H H H CH2CH3 H H 4-F 4-OCH2CH3 H OCH3 No, R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 (Ri5) n (R20) 085 H H H CH3 H H 4-F 4-OCH2CH3 H NHCH3 086 CH3 H H H H 4-F OH 087 H H CH3 155-156 088 H H H CH3 H H H 4-OCH2CH3 H NHCH3 solid 089 H H H CH3 H H H 4-OCH2CH3 H OCH2CH3 090 H H H CH3 H H | H OCH (CH3) 091 H CH3 methoxy- phenyl 092 H H H CH3 109-111 093 CH3 H H CH3 H H 4-F 4-OCH2CH3 H OH 094 H H H CH2CH3 H H 4-CI H OCH3 095 H H CH3 096 H H H CH2CH3 H 2-F 4-OCH2CH3 H OCH3 097 H H H CH3 H H 2-F 4-OCH2CH3 H NHCH3 098 H H H H H H 4-OCH2CH3 H 099 H H H CH2CH3 H H H N zon 100 H H H CH3 H H H H OH 148-151 (4h-N No, R, R2 R3 R4 Rs R6 (Ri5) 101 H H H CH3 H H H H 195-198 (4eNst 102 H H H CH3 H H H H N NHCH3 176-181 \,--N 103 H H H CH3 H H H H, (4eNstN 104 H H H CH3 H H H. (4HNst 105 H H H CH3 H H H H (4)-N'N 0-4-CI-phenyl resin (4HNiN 106 H H H CH2CH3 H 4-F H N OH (4HNst \==N 107 H H H CH3 H H H H. r (4}-N 3, 4. dimethox y- phenyl 108 H H H CH3 H H H 2-CI, CH phenol 109 H H H CH3 H H H 2-CI N NH- propargyl No, Ri R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 (R1s) 110 H H CH3 H H H H N morpholino N 111 H H H CH3 H H H H N N (CH3) 2 zon 112 H XL zon 113 H H H CH3 H H H H N OCH 4N 114 H H H CH3 H H H H N NHCH2CH3 I-\--N 115 H H CH3 H H H N resin (4)-nu 116 H H H CH3 H H H H (4-N 117 H H H (CH2) 2CH3 H H H H N OCH3 (4)-N 118 H H H CH2 (CH3) 2 H H H H N NHCH3 (4)-N 119 H H H H H, OH zon No, R, R4 R5 R6 (Rl5) 144 H H H CH2CH3 H H H H (4 N N--/ 145 H H H CH3 H H 4-F H OH (4tN=N N 146 CH3 H H CH3 H H H H OH (4P4N=3/N N 147 H H H CH3 H H H H (4jan N 148 H H H CH2CH3 H H H H 4-COCH3 OH 149 H H H CH3 H H H H 4-COCH3 OH 150 H H CH2CH3 H H 4-F H 4-COCH3 OH 151 H H H CH3 H H H 3, H OH 152 H H H CH2CH3 H H H 3, H OH 153 H H H CH3 H H 4-F 4-OCH2C=-CH H OH 154 H H CH2CH3 H H 4-OCH2C_CH H OH 155 H H H CH2CH2CH3 H H H 4-OCH2C_CH H OH 156 H H H CH3 H H H 4-OCH2CH=CH2 H OH 157 H H H CH2CH3 H H H 4-OCH2CH=CH2 H OH 158 H H H CH2CH2CH3 H H H 4-OCH2CH=CH2 H OH No, Ri R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 (Ris) n (R2o) R21 Y m. p. 159 H H H CH2CH3 H H H H (-) N 160 H H H CH2CH3 H H H H (+)-isomer N 161 H H H CH3 H H H H/--N (+)-isomer (4-\ 162 -/N isomer (4) N 163 H H H CH3 H H H H/-'N (+)-isomer (4rNuNg 164 H H H CH3 H H H isomer (-) (4rNuNg 165 H H H CH2CH3 H H 4-OCH2CH3 isomer 166 H H H CH2CH3 H H H 4-OCH2CH3 H OH (+)-isomer 167 H H H CH3 H H H 4-OCH2CH3 H NH2 (-)-isomer 168 H H H CH3 H H H 4-OCH2CH3 H NH2 (+)-isomer 169 H H H CH3 H H H 4-OCH2CH3 H OH (-)-isomer 170 H H H CH3 H H H 4-OCH2CH3 H OH (+)-isomer 171 H H H CH2CH3 H H H 4-CN H OH No, Ri R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 (Rt5) 172 H H H CH3 H H H 4-CN H (-)-isomer 173 H H H CH2CH3 H H H 4-CN H 174 H H H CH3 H H H 4-CN H (+)-isomer 175 H H H CH2CH3 H H H 4-CI H OH (-)-isomer 176 H H H CH2CH3 H H H 4-CI H OH (+)-isomer 177 H H H CH3 H H H 4-CI H OH (-)-isomer 178 H H H CH3 H H H 4-CI H OH (+)-isomer 179 H H H CH3 H H H 4-CI H NH2 (-)-isomer 180 H H H CH3 H H H 4-CI H NH2 +9. (10. 1 mg/ml DMSO) 181 H H H CH3 H H H H (4) \ 0-< S 182 H H H CH2CH3 H H H H (4) 0- S 183 H H H CH3 H H H H (4) \ 0 S 184 H H H CH2CH3 H H H H (4) 0-- S n R2t m. p. [°C]Formulations may be prepared analogously to those described in, for example, WO 95/30651.

Biological Examples Phytophthora infestans (late blight of potato/tomato): Tomato leaf disks are placed on water agar in a multiwell plate (24-well format) and sprayed with test solutions. After drying, the leaf disks are inoculated with a spore suspension of the fungus. After appropriate incubation the activity of a compound is assessed 4 dpi (days after inoculation) as preventive fungicidal activity.

Within the tested dose range of 200 to 22 ppm the Compounds No. 078,079, 080, 081, 082, 083, 084,088, 099,100, 102,105, 107,108 and 115 inhibited at least 80% of fungal growth.

Plasmopara viticola (downy mildew of grapevine): Grape vine leaf disks are placed on agar in a multiwell plate (24-well format) and sprayed with test solutions. After drying, the leaf disks are inoculated with a spore suspension of the fungus. After appropriate incubation the activity of a compound is assessed 7 dpi (days after inoculation) as preventive fungicidal activity.

Within the tested dose range of 200 to 22 ppm the Compounds No. 078,079, 080,081, 082,083, 084,088, 099,100, 102,105, 107,108 and 115 inhibited at least 80% of fungal growth.

Erysiphe graminis f sp. hordei (Barley powdery mildew) : Barley leaf segments are placed on agar in a multiwell plate (24-well format) and sprayed with test solutions. After drying, the leaf disks are inoculated with a spore suspension of the fungus. After appropriate incubation the activity of a compound is assessed 4 dpi (days after inoculation) as preventive fungicidal activity.

Within the tested dose range of 200 to 22 ppm the Compounds No. 079,092 and 108 inhibited at least 80% of fungal growth.

Erysiphe graminis f. sp. trifici (Wheat powdery mildew) : Barley leaf segments are placed on agar in a multiwell plate (24-well format) and sprayed with test solutions. After drying, the leaf disks are inoculated with a spore suspension of the fungus. After appropriate incubation the activity of a compound is assessed 4 dpi (days after inoculation) as preventive fungicidal activity.

Within the tested dose range of 200 to 22 ppm the Compounds No. 107 and 108 inhibited at least 80% of fungal growth.

Pyrenophora teres (Net blotch) : Barley leaf segments are placed on agar in a multiwell plate (24-well format) and sprayed with test solutions. After drying, the leaf disks are inoculated with a spore suspension of the fungus. After appropriate incubation the activity of a compound is assessed 4 dpi (days after inoculation) as preventive fungicidal activity.

Within the tested dose range of 200 to 22 ppm the Compound No. 079 inhibited at least 80% of fungal growth.

Puccinia recondita (Brown rust): Wheat leaf segments are placed on agar in a multiwell plate (24-well format) and sprayed with test solutions. After drying, the leaf disks are inoculated with a spore suspension of the fungus. After appropriate incubation the activity of a compound is assessed 9 dpi (days after inoculation) as preventive fungicidal activity.

Within the tested dose range of 200 to 22 ppm the Compound No. 108 inhibited at least 80% of fungal growth.

Septoria nodorum (Glume blotch) : Wheat leaf segments are placed on agar in a multiwell plate (24-well format) and sprayed with test solutions. After drying, the leaf disks are inoculated with a spore suspension of the fungus. After appropriate incubation the activity of a compound is assessed 4 dpi (days after inoculation) as preventive fungicidal activity.

Within the tested dose range of 200 to 22 ppm the Compound No. 82 inhibited at least 80% of fungal growth.

Pyricularia oryzae (Rice blast) : Rice leaf segments are placed on agar in a multiwell plate (24-well format) and sprayed with test solutions. After drying, the leaf disks are inoculated with a spore suspension of the fungus. After appropriate incubation the activity of a compound is assessed 4 dpi (days after inoculation) as preventive fungicidal activity.

Within the tested dose range of 200 to 22 ppm the Compound No. 115 inhibited at least 80% of fungal growth.

Action against Plasmopara viticola on vines a) Residual-protective action Vine seedlings are sprayed at the 4-to 5-leaf stage with a spray mixture (0.02 % active ingredient) prepared from a wettable powder formulation of the test compound. After 24 hours, the treated plants are infected with a sporangia suspension of the fungus. Fungus infestation is evaluated after incubation for 6 days at 95-100 % relative humidity and +20°C. b) Residual-curative action Vine seedlings are infected at the 4-to 5-leaf stage with a sporangia suspension of the fungus. After incubation for 24 hours in a humidity chamber at 95-100 % relative humidity and +20°C, the infected plants are dried and sprayed with a spray mixture (0. 02 % active ingredient) prepared from a wettable powder formulation of the test compound. After the spray coating has dried, the treated plants are placed in the humidity chamber again.

Fungus infestation is evaluated 6 days after infection.

Compounds of Tables 1 exhibit a good fungicidal action against Plasmopara viticola on vines. Compounds No.: 080,083, 087,088, 091,099, 100,102 at 200 ppm inhibit fungal infestations in both tests D-1 a) and D-1 b) by 80-100 %. At the same time untreated plants showed pathogen attack of 60-100 %.

D-2: Action against Phvtophthora on tomato plants a) Residual-protective action After a cultivation period of 3 weeks, tomato plants are sprayed with a spray mixture (0.02 % active ingredient) prepared from a wettable powder formulation of the test compound. After 48 hours, the treated plants are infected with a sporangia suspension of the fungus. Fungus infestation is evaluated after incubation of the infected plants for 5 days at 90-100 % relative humidity and +20°C. b) Systemic action After a cultivation period of 3 weeks, tomato plants are watered with a spray mixture (0.02 % active ingredient based on the volume of the soil) prepared from a wettable powder formula- tion of the test compound. Care is taken that the spray mixture does not come into contact with the parts of the plants that are above the ground. After 96 hours, the treated plants are infected with a sporangia suspension of the fungus. Fungus infestation is evaluated after incubation of the infected plants for 4 days at 90-100 % relative humidity and +20°C.

Compounds of Tables 1 exhibit a good fungicidal action against Plasmopara viticola on vines. Compounds No. 078,080, 082,083, 087,088, 099,100, 102,108 and 115 at 200 ppm inhibit fungal infestations in both tests D-1 a) and D-1 b) by 80-100 %. At the same time untreated plants showed pathogen attack of 60-100 %.

D-3: Action against Phytophthora on potato plants a) Residual-protective action 2-3 week old potato plants (Bintje variety) are sprayed with a spray mixture (0.02 % active ingredient) prepared from a wettable powder formulation of the test compound. After 48 hours, the treated plants are infected with a sporangia suspension of the fungus. Fungus infestation is evaluated after incubation of the infected plants for 4 days at 90-100 % relative humidity and +20°C. b) Systemic action 2-3 week old potato plants (Bintje variety) are watered with a spray mixture (0.02 % active ingredient based on the volume of the soil) prepared from a wettable powder formulation of the test compound. Care is taken that the spray mixture does not come into contact with the parts of the plants that are above the ground. After 48 hours, the treated plants are infected with a sporangia suspension of the fungus. Fungus infestation is evaluated after incubation of the infected plants for 4 days at 90-100 % relative humidity and +20°C. Fungal infestation is effectively controlled with compounds of Table 1.

Compounds No. 087, 088, 100, at 200 ppm inhibit fungal infestations in both tests D-3a) and D-3b) by 60-100 %. At the same time untreated plants showed a pathogen attack of 60-100%.