NEW MATERIAL:The α,α-dimethylbenzylhydroxylamine derivative of formula I [Y is H, lower alkyl, lower alkylcarbamoyl, or phenylcarbamoyl; Z is group of formula II (X is O or S; R is alkyl, methyl phenyl aralkyl, or phenoxymethyl; R' is H or methyl), -C(=O), -C(=O)OR or group of formula III].

EXAMPLE: The compound of formula I wherein Y is H and Z is group of formula IV.

USE: Herbicide having strong herbicidal activity to a wide range of weeds, and effective by the application to the weeds immediately before sprouting or at the initial stage of growth. It kills the weeds in the field of paddy rice plant, corn, potato, soybean, wheat, orchard, etc.

PREPARATION: The compound of formula VI which is one of the compound of formula I can be prepared by reacting the compound of formula V (novel compound) with the compound of formula R-N=C=X in a solvent such as benzene, toluene, etc. The starting compound of formula V is obtained by the half-reduction of α-nitrocumene.