The present invention relates to herbicidally active pyridinium derivatives, as well as to processes and intermediates used for the preparation of such derivatives. The invention further extends to herbicidal compositions comprising such derivatives, as well as to the use of such compounds and compositions for controlling undesirable plant growth: in particular the use for controlling weeds, in crops of useful plants.

The present invention is based on the finding that pyridinium derivatives of formula (I) as defined herein, exhibit surprisingly good herbicidal activity. Thus, according to the present invention there is provided the use of a compound of formula (I) or an agronomically acceptable salt or zwitterionic species thereof, as a herbicide: wherein

R ¹ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, Ci-C6alkyl, C2-C6alkenyl, C2-C6alkynyl, Cs-Cecycloalkyl, Ci-C ₆ haloalkyl, -OR ⁷ , -OR ^15a , -N(R ⁶ )S(0) ₂ R ¹⁵ , -N(R ⁶ )C(0)R ¹⁵ , -N(R ⁶ )C(0)0R ¹⁵ , - N(R ⁶ )C(0)NR ¹⁶ R ¹⁷ , -N(R ⁶ )CHO, -N(R ^7a ) ₂ and -S(0) _r R ¹⁵ ;

R ² is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, Ci-C6alkyl and Ci-C6haloalkyl; and wherein when R ¹ is selected from the group consisting of -OR ⁷ , -OR ^15a , -N(R ⁶ )S(0) ₂ R ¹⁵ , - N(R ⁶ )C(0)R ¹⁵ , -N(R ⁶ )C(0)0R ¹⁵ , -N(R ⁶ )C(0)NR ¹⁶ R ¹⁷ , -N(R ⁶ )CHO, -N(R ^7a ) ₂ and -S(0) _r R ¹⁵ , R ² is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and Ci-C6alkyl; or

R ¹ and R ² together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a C3-C6cycloalkyl ring or a 3- to 6- membered heterocyclyl, which comprises 1 or 2 heteroatoms individually selected from N and O; and

Q is (CR ^1a R ^2b ) _m ; m is 0, 1 , 2 or 3; each R ^1a and R ^2b are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, Ci-C6alkyl, Ci-Cehaloalkyl, -OH, -OR ⁷ , -OR ^15a , -NH ₂ , -NHR ⁷ , -NHR ^15a , -N(R ⁶ )CHO, -NR ^7b R ^7c and -S(0) _r R ¹⁵ ; or each R ^1a and R ^2b together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a C3-C6cycloalkyl ring or a 3- to 6- membered heterocyclyl, which comprises 1 or 2 heteroatoms individually selected from N and O; and

R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro, -S(0)rR ¹⁵ , Ci-C6alkyl, Ci-C6fluoroalkyl, Ci-C6fluoroalkoxy, Ci-C6alkoxy, C3-C6cycloalkyl and - N(R ⁶ ) ₂ ; each R ⁶ is independently selected from hydrogen and Ci-C6alkyl; each R ⁷ is independently selected from the group consisting of Ci-C6alkyl, -S(0) ₂ R ¹⁵ , -C(0)R ¹⁵ , - C(0)0R ¹⁵ and -C(0)NR ¹⁶ R ¹⁷ ; each R ^7a is independently selected from the group consisting of -S(0) ₂ R ¹⁵ , -C(0)R ¹⁵ , -C(0)0R ¹⁵ - C(0)NR ¹⁶ R ¹⁷ and -C(0)NR ⁶ R ^15a ;

R ^7b and R ^7c are independently selected from the group consisting of Ci-C6alkyl, -S(0) ₂ R ¹⁵ , -C(0)R ¹⁵ , - C(0)0R ¹⁵ , -C(0)NR ¹⁶ R ¹⁷ and phenyl, and wherein said phenyl is optionally substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 R ⁹ substituents, which may be the same or different; or

R ^7b and R ^7c together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a 4- to 6-membered heterocyclyl ring which optionally comprises one additional heteroatom individually selected from N, O and S; and

A is a fused bicyclic structure of general formula; in which:

(i) ring A ¹ and ring A ² each have 5 members;

(ii) A includes at least one heteroatom selected from N, O and S, with the remainder being carbon atoms;

(iii) at least one of ring A ¹ and ring A ² is aromatic, or A as a whole is aromatic;

(iv) A can be attached to the remainder of the compound of formula (I) at any available position of ring A ² provided it is a carbon atom; (v) one of the carbon atoms is optionally a carbonyl;

(vi) A is optionally substituted in any available position in either or both of ring A ¹ or ring A ² by p substituents R ⁸ , which may be the same or different; and

(vii) p is 0 to 5; when A is substituted on one or more carbon atoms by R ⁸ , then each R ⁸ is independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, -NH ₂ , -NHR ⁷ , -N(R ⁷ )2, -OH, -OR ⁷ , -S(0) _r R ¹⁵ , - NR ⁶ S(0) ₂ R ¹⁵ , -C(0)OR ¹⁰ , -C(0)R ¹⁵ , -C(0)NR ¹⁶ R ¹⁷ , -S(0) ₂ NR ¹⁶ R ¹⁷ , Ci-Cealkyl, Ci-C ₆ haloalkyl, C ₃ - C6cycloalkyl, C3-C6halocycloalkyl, C3-C6cycloalkoxy, C ₂ -C6alkenyl, C ₂ -C6haloalkenyl, C ₂ -C6alkynyl, Ci- C3alkoxyCi-C3alkyl-, hydroxyCi-Cealkyl-, Ci-C3alkoxyCi-C3alkoxy-, Ci-C6haloalkoxy, Ci- C3haloalkoxyCi-C3alkyl-, C3-C6alkenyloxy, C3-C6alkynyloxy, N-C3-C6cycloalkylamino, -C(R ⁶ )=NOR ⁶ , phenyl, a 3- to 6- membered heterocyclyl, which comprises 1 or 2 heteroatoms individually selected from N and O, and a 5- or 6- membered heteroaryl, which comprises 1 , 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms individually selected from N, O and S, and wherein said phenyl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl moieties are optionally substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 substituents, which may be the same or different, selected from R ⁹ ; and when A is substituted on one or more N atoms by one or more R ⁸ , then each R ⁸ is independently selected from the group consisting of -OR ⁷ , -S(0) _r R ¹² , Ci-C6alkyl, Ci-C6haloalkyl, C3-C6cycloalkyl, C ₃ - Cehalocycloalkyl, C3-C6cycloalkoxy, C ₂ -C6alkenyl, C ₂ -C6haloalkenyl, C ₂ -C6alkynyl, Ci-C3alkoxyCi- C3alkyl-, hydroxyC ₂ -C6alkyl-, Ci-C6haloalkoxy, Ci-C3haloalkoxyCi-C3alkyl-, Ci-C6alkoxycarbonyl, C ₃ - C6alkenyloxy, C3-C6alkynyloxy, Ci-C6alkylcarbonyl, Ci-C6alkylaminocarbonyl, di-Ci- Cealkylaminocarbonyl, phenyl and heteroaryl, wherein the heteroaryl moiety is a 5- or 6-membered monocyclic aromatic ring which comprises 1 , 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms individually selected from N, O and S, and wherein any of said phenyl or heteroaryl moieties are optionally substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 substituents, which may be the same or different, selected from R ⁹ ; each R ⁹ is independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, cyano, -OH, -N(R ⁶ ) ₂ , Ci-C ₄ alkyl, Ci-C ₄ alkoxy, Ci-C ₄ haloalkyl and Ci-C ₄ haloalkoxy;

X is selected from the group consisting of C3-C6cycloalkyl, phenyl, a 5- or 6- membered heteroaryl, which comprises 1 , 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms individually selected from N, O and S, and a 4- to 6- membered heterocyclyl, which comprises 1 , 2 or 3 heteroatoms individually selected from N, O and S, and wherein said cycloalkyl, phenyl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl moieties are optionally substituted by 1 or 2 substituents, which may be the same or different, selected from R ⁹ , and wherein the aforementioned CR ¹ R ² , Q and Z moieties may be attached at any position of said cycloalkyl, phenyl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl moieties; n is 0 or 1 ;

Z is selected from the group consisting 0f -C(O)OR ¹ °, -CH ₂ OH, -CHO, -C(0)NH0R ¹¹ , -C(0)NHCN, - 0C(0)NH0R ¹¹ , -0C(0)NHCN, -NR ⁶ C(0)NH0R ¹¹ , -NR ⁶ C(0)NHCN, -C(0)NHS(0) ₂ R ¹² , - 0C(0)NHS(0) ₂ R ¹² , -NR ⁶ C(0)NHS(0) ₂ R ¹² , -S(0) ₂ 0R ¹⁰ , -0S(0) ₂ 0R ¹⁰ , -NR ⁶ S(0) ₂ 0R ¹⁰ , -NR ⁶ S(0)OR ¹⁰ , -NHS(0) ₂ R ¹⁴ , -S(0)OR ¹⁰ , -OS(0)OR ¹⁰ , -S(0) ₂ NHCN, -S(0) ₂ NHC(0)R ¹⁸ , -S(0) ₂ NHS(0) ₂ R ¹² , - 0S(0) ₂ NHCN, -0S(0) ₂ NHS(0) ₂ R ¹² , -0S(0) ₂ NHC(0)R ¹⁸ , -NR ⁶ S(0) ₂ NHCN, -NR ⁶ S(0) ₂ NHC(0)R ¹⁸ , - N(0H)C(0)R ¹⁵ , -0NHC(0)R ¹⁵ , -NR ⁶ S(0) ₂ NHS(0) ₂ R ¹² , -P(0)(R ¹³ )(OR ¹⁰ ), -P(0)H(OR ¹⁰ ), -

0P(0)(R ¹³ )(0R ¹ °), -NR ⁶ P(0)(R ¹³ )(OR ¹⁰ ) and tetrazole;

R ¹⁰ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Ci-C6alkyl, phenyl and benzyl, and wherein said phenyl or benzyl are optionally substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 R ⁹ substituents, which may be the same or different;

R ¹¹ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Ci-C6alkyl and phenyl, and wherein said phenyl is optionally substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 R ⁹ substituents, which may be the same or different;

R ¹² is selected from the group consisting of Ci-C6alkyl, Ci-C6haloalkyl, Ci-C6alkoxy, -OH, -N(R ⁶ ) ₂ and phenyl, and wherein said phenyl is optionally substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 R ⁹ substituents, which may be the same or different;

R ¹³ is selected from the group consisting of -OH, Ci-C6alkyl, Ci-C6alkoxy and phenyl;

R ¹⁴ is Ci-Cehaloalkyl;

R ¹⁵ is selected from the group consisting of Ci-C6alkyl and phenyl, and wherein said phenyl is optionally substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 R ⁹ substituents, which may be the same or different;

R ^15a is phenyl, wherein said phenyl is optionally substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 R ⁹ substituents, which may be the same or different;

R ¹⁶ and R ¹⁷ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and Ci-C6alkyl; or R ¹⁶ and R ¹⁷ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a 4- to 6-membered heterocyclyl ring which optionally comprises one additional heteroatom individually selected from N, O and S;

R ¹⁸ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Ci-C6alkyl, Ci-C6haloalkyl, Ci-C6alkoxy, -N(R ⁶ ) ₂ and phenyl, and wherein said phenyl is optionally substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 R ⁹ substituents, which may be the same or different; and r is 0, 1 or 2. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a compound of formula (I) or an agronomically acceptable salt or zwitterionic species thereof, as defined herein, with the proviso that the compound of formula (I) is not

3-[4-(4-isopropyl-2,5-dimethyl-3,6-dioxo-pyrrolo[3,4-c]py rrol-1 -yl) pyridin-1 -ium-1 -yl]propanoic acid (or an agronomically acceptable salt or zwitterionic species thereof).

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an agrochemical composition comprising a herbicidally effective amount of a compound of formula (I) and an agrochemically-acceptable diluent or carrier. Such an agricultural composition may further comprise at least one additional active ingredient.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of controlling or preventing undesirable plant growth, wherein a herbicidally effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a composition comprising this compound as active ingredient, is applied to the plants, to parts thereof or the locus thereof.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a process forthe preparation of compounds of formula (I).

As used herein, the term "halogen" or “halo” refers to fluorine (fluoro), chlorine (chloro), bromine (bromo) or iodine (iodo), preferably fluorine, chlorine or bromine.

As used herein, cyano means a -CN group.

As used herein, hydroxy means an -OH group.

As used herein, nitro means an -NO2 group.

As used herein, the term "Ci-C6alkyl" refers to a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain radical consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, containing no unsaturation, having from one to six carbon atoms, and which is attached to the rest of the molecule by a single bond. Ci-C ₄ alkyl and Ci- C2alkyl are to be construed accordingly. Examples of Ci-C6alkyl include, but are not limited to, methyl (Me), ethyl (Et), n-propyl, 1-methylethyl (iso-propyl), n-butyl, and 1-dimethylethyl (f-butyl).

As used herein, the term "Ci-C6alkoxy" refers to a radical of the formula -OR _a where R _a is a Ci- C6alkyl radical as generally defined above. Ci-C ₄ alkoxy is to be construed accordingly. Examples of Ci- ₄ alkoxy include, but are not limited to, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, iso-propoxy and f-butoxy. As used herein, the term "Ci-C6haloalkyl" refers to a Ci-C6alkyl radical as generally defined above substituted by one or more of the same or different halogen atoms. Ci-C ₄ haloalkyl is to be construed accordingly. Examples of Ci-C6haloalkyl include, but are not limited to chloromethyl, fluoromethyl, fluoroethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl and 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl.

As used herein, the term "C2-C6alkenyl" refers to a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain radical group consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, containing at least one double bond that can be of either the (E)- or (^-configuration, having from two to six carbon atoms, which is attached to the rest of the molecule by a single bond. C ₂ -C ₄ alkenyl is to be construed accordingly. Examples of C2-C6alkenyl include, but are not limited to, prop-1 -enyl, allyl (prop-2-enyl) and but-1-enyl.

As used herein, the term “C2-C6haloalkenyl” refers to a C2-C6alkenyl radical as generally defined above substituted by one or more of the same or different halogen atoms. Examples of C2-C6haloalkenyl include, but are not limited to chloroethylene, fluoroethylene, 1 ,1-difluoroethylene, 1 ,1-dichloroethylene and 1 ,1 ,2-trichloroethylene.

As used herein, the term "C2-C6alkynyl" refers to a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain radical group consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, containing at least one triple bond, having from two to six carbon atoms, and which is attached to the rest of the molecule by a single bond. C ₂ -C ₄ alkynyl is to be construed accordingly. Examples of C2-C6alkynyl include, but are not limited to, prop-1-ynyl, propargyl (prop-2-ynyl) and but-1-ynyl.

As used herein, the term "Ci-C6haloalkoxy" refers to a Ci-C6alkoxy group as defined above substituted by one or more of the same or different halogen atoms. Ci-C ₄ haloalkoxy is to be construed accordingly. Examples of Ci-C6haloalkoxy include, but are not limited to, fluoromethoxy, difluoromethoxy, fluoroethoxy, trifluoromethoxy and trifluoroethoxy.

As used herein, the term "Ci-C3haloalkoxyCi-C3alkyl" refers to a radical of the formula Rb-0-R _a - where Rb is a Ci-C3haloalkyl radical as generally defined above, and R _a is a Ci-C3alkylene radical as generally defined above.

As used herein, the term "Ci-C3alkoxyCi-C3alkyl" refers to a radical of the formula Rb-0-R _a - where Rb is a Ci-C3alkyl radical as generally defined above, and R _a is a Ci-C3alkylene radical as generally defined above.

As used herein, the term " Ci-C3alkoxyCi-C3alkoxy-" refers to a radical of the formula Rb-0-R _a - O- where Rb is a Ci-C3alkyl radical as generally defined above, and R _a is a Ci-C3alkylene radical as generally defined above.

As used herein, the term "C3-C6alkenyloxy" refers to a radical of the formula -OR _a where R _a is a C3-C6alkenyl radical as generally defined above.

As used herein, the term "C3-C6alkynyloxy" refers to a radical of the formula -OR _a where R _a is a C3-C6alkynyl radical as generally defined above.

As used herein, the term “hydroxyCi-Cealkyl” refers to a Ci-C6alkyl radical as generally defined above substituted by one or more hydroxy groups.

As used herein, the term "Ci-C6alkylcarbonyl" refers to a radical of the formula -C(0)R _a where R _a is a Ci-C6alkyl radical as generally defined above.

As used herein, the term "Ci-C6alkoxycarbonyl" refers to a radical of the formula -C(0)0R _a where R _a is a Ci-C6alkyl radical as generally defined above. As used herein, the term “aminocarbonyl” refers to a radical of the formula -C(0)NH ₂ .

As used herein, the term "C3-C6cycloalkyl" refers to a stable, monocyclic ring radical which is saturated or partially unsaturated and contains 3 to 6 carbon atoms. C3-C ₄ cycloalkyl is to be construed accordingly. Examples of C3-C6cycloalkyl include, but are not limited to, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl.

As used herein, the term "C3-C6halocycloalkyl" refers to a C3-C6cycloalkyl radical as generally defined above substituted by one or more of the same or different halogen atoms. C3-C ₄ halocycloalkyl is to be construed accordingly.

As used herein, the term "C3-C6cycloalkoxy" refers to a radical of the formula -OR _a where R _a is a C3-C6cycloalkyl radical as generally defined above.

As used herein, the term “N-C3-C6cycloalkylamino” refers to a radical of the formula -NHR _a where R _a is a C3-C6cycloalkyl radical as generally defined above.

As used herein, except where explicitly stated otherwise, the term "heteroaryl" refers to a 5- or 6- membered monocyclic aromatic ring which comprises 1 , 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms individually selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. The heteroaryl radical may be bonded to the rest of the molecule via a carbon atom or heteroatom. Examples of heteroaryl include, furyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, thienyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidyl or pyridyl.

As used herein, except where explicitly stated otherwise, the term "heterocyclyl" or "heterocyclic" refers to a stable 4- to 6-membered non-aromatic monocyclic ring radical which comprises 1 , 2, or 3 heteroatoms individually selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. The heterocyclyl radical may be bonded to the rest of the molecule via a carbon atom or heteroatom. Examples of heterocyclyl include, but are not limited to, pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidyl, tetrahydrofuryl, tetrahydrothienyl, tetrahydrothiopyranyl, piperidyl, piperazinyl, tetrahydropyranyl, dihydroisoxazolyl, dioxolanyl, morpholinyl or d-lactamyl.

The presence of one or more possible asymmetric carbon atoms in a compound of formula (I) means that the compounds may occur in chiral isomeric forms, i.e. , enantiomeric or diastereomeric forms. Also atropisomers may occur as a result of restricted rotation about a single bond. Formula (I) is intended to include all those possible isomeric forms and mixtures thereof. The present invention includes all those possible isomeric forms and mixtures thereof for a compound of formula (I). Likewise, formula (I) is intended to include all possible tautomers (including lactam-lactim tautomerism and keto-enol tautomerism) where present. The present invention includes all possible tautomeric forms for a compound of formula (I). Similarly, where there are di-substituted alkenes, these may be present in E or Z form or as mixtures of both in any proportion. The present invention includes all these possible isomeric forms and mixtures thereof for a compound of formula (I).

The compounds of formula (I) will typically be provided in the form of an agronomically acceptable salt, a zwitterion or an agronomically acceptable salt of a zwitterion. This invention covers all such agronomically acceptable salts, zwitterions and mixtures thereof in all proportions. For example a compound of formula (I) wherein Z comprises an acidic proton, may exist as a zwitterion, a compound of formula (l-l), or as an agronomically acceptable salt, a compound of formula (l-ll) as shown below: wherein, Y represents an agronomically acceptable anion and j and k represent integers that may be selected from 1 , 2 or 3, dependent upon the charge of the respective anion Y.

A compound of formula (I) may also exist as an agronomically acceptable salt of a zwitterion, a compound of formula (l-lll) as shown below:

MqYk

(l-lll) wherein, Y represents an agronomically acceptable anion, M represents an agronomically acceptable cation (in addition to the pyridazinium cation) and the integers j, k and q may be selected from 1 , 2 or 3, dependent upon the charge of the respective anion Y and respective cation M.

Thus where a compound of formula (I) is drawn in protonated form herein, the skilled person would appreciate that it could equally be represented in unprotonated or salt form with one or more relevant counter ions.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a compound of formula (l-ll) wherein k is 2, j is 1 and Y is selected from the group consisting of halogen, trifluoroacetate and pentafluoropropionate. In this embodiment a nitrogen atom in ring A may be protonated or a nitrogen atom comprised in R ¹ , R ² , R ⁸ , Q orX may be protonated. Preferably, in a compound of formula (l-ll), k is 2, j is 1 and Y is chloride, wherein a nitrogen atom in ring A is protonated. Suitable agronomically acceptable salts of the present invention, represented by an anion Y, include but are not limited chloride, bromide, iodide, fluoride, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, acetate, adipate, methoxide, ethoxide, propoxide, butoxide, aspartate, benzenesulfonate, benzoate, bicarbonate, bisulfate, bitartrate, butylsulfate, butylsulfonate, butyrate, camphorate, camsylate, caprate, caproate, caprylate, carbonate, citrate, diphosphate, edetate, edisylate, enanthate, ethanedisulfonate, ethanesulfonate, ethylsulfate, formate, fumarate, gluceptate, gluconate, glucoronate, glutamate, glycerophosphate, heptadecanoate, hexadecanoate, hydrogen sulfate, hydroxide, hydroxynaphthoate, isethionate, lactate, lactobionate, laurate, malate, maleate, mandelate, mesylate, methanedisulfonate, methylsulfate, mucate, myristate, napsylate, nitrate, nonadecanoate, octadecanoate, oxalate, pelargonate, pentadecanoate, pentafluoropropionate, perchlorate, phosphate, propionate, propylsulfate, propylsulfonate, succinate, sulfate, tartrate, tosylate, tridecylate, triflate, trifluoroacetate, undecylinate and valerate.

Suitable cations represented by M include, but are not limited to, metals, conjugate acids of amines and organic cations. Examples of suitable metals include aluminium, calcium, cesium, copper, lithium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium, iron and zinc. Examples of suitable amines include allylamine, ammonia, amylamine, arginine, benethamine, benzathine, butenyl-2-amine, butylamine, butylethanolamine, cyclohexylamine, decylamine, diamylamine, dibutylamine, diethanolamine, diethylamine, diethylenetriamine, diheptylamine, dihexylamine, diisoamylamine, diisopropylamine, dimethylamine, dioctylamine, dipropanolamine, dipropargylamine, dipropylamine, dodecylamine, ethanolamine, ethylamine, ethylbutylamine, ethylenediamine, ethylheptylamine, ethyloctylamine, ethylpropanolamine, heptadecylamine, heptylamine, hexadecylamine, hexenyl-2-amine, hexylamine, hexylheptylamine, hexyloctylamine, histidine, indoline, isoamylamine, isobutanolamine, isobutylamine, isopropanolamine, isopropylamine, lysine, meglumine, methoxyethylamine, methylamine, methylbutylamine, methylethylamine, methylhexylamine, methylisopropylamine, methylnonylamine, methyloctadecylamine, methylpentadecylamine, morpholine, N,N-diethylethanolamine, N- methylpiperazine, nonylamine, octadecylamine, octylamine, oleylamine, pentadecylamine, pentenyl-2- amine, phenoxyethylamine, picoline, piperazine, piperidine, propanolamine, propylamine, propylenediamine, pyridine, pyrrolidine, sec-butylamine, stearylamine, tallowamine, tetradecylamine, tributylamine, tridecylamine, trimethylamine, triheptylamine, trihexylamine, triisobutylamine, triisodecylamine, triisopropylamine, trimethylamine, tripentylamine, tripropylamine, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, and undecylamine. Examples of suitable organic cations include benzyltributylammonium, benzyltrimethylammonium, benzyltriphenylphosphonium, choline, tetrabutylammonium, tetrabutylphosphonium, tetraethylammonium, tetraethylphosphonium, tetramethylammonium, tetramethylphosphonium, tetrapropylammonium, tetrapropylphosphonium, tributylsulfonium, tributylsulfoxonium, triethylsulfonium, triethylsulfoxonium, trimethylsulfonium, trimethylsulfoxonium, tripropylsulfonium and tripropylsulfoxonium.

Preferred compounds of formula (I), wherein Z comprises an acidic proton, can be represented as either (l-l) or (l-ll). For compounds of formula (l-ll) emphasis is given to salts when Y is chloride, bromide, iodide, hydroxide, bicarbonate, acetate, pentafluoropropionate, triflate, trifluoroacetate, methylsulfate, tosylate and nitrate, wherein j and k are 1. Preferably, Y is chloride, bromide, iodide, hydroxide, bicarbonate, acetate, trifluoroacetate, methylsulfate, tosylate and nitrate, wherein j and k are 1. For compounds of formula (l-ll) emphasis is also given to salts when Y is carbonate and sulfate, wherein j is 2 and k is 1 , and when Y is phosphate, wherein j is 3 and k is 1 . Where appropriate compounds of formula (I) may also be in the form of (and/or be used as) an N-oxide.

Compounds of formula (I) wherein m is 0 and n is 0 may be represented by a compound of formula (I- la) as shown below: wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ , R ⁵ , A and Z are as defined for compounds of formula (I).

Compounds of formula (I) wherein m is 1 and n is 0 may be represented by a compound of formula (I- Ib) as shown below:

(l-lb) wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ^1a , R ^2b , R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ , R ⁵ , A and Z are as defined for compounds of formula (I).

Compounds of formula (I) wherein m is 2 and n is 0 may be represented by a compound of formula (I- lc) as shown below: wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ^1a , R ^2b , R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ , R ⁵ , A and Z are as defined for compounds of formula (I). Compounds of formula (I) wherein m is 3 and n is 0 may be represented by a compound of formula (I- Id) as shown below: wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ^1a , R ^2b , R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ , R ⁵ , A and Z are as defined for compounds of formula (I).

The following list provides definitions, including preferred definitions, for substituents n, m, r, A, Q, X, Z, p1 p2 p1a p2b p2 p3 p3a p4 p5 p6 p7 p7a p7b p7c p8 p9 p10 p11 p12 p13 p14 p15 p15a p16

R ¹⁷ and R ¹⁸ with reference to the compounds of formula (I) according to the invention. For any one of these substituents, any of the definitions given below may be combined with any definition of any other substituent given below or elsewhere in this document.

R ¹ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, Ci-C6alkyl, C2-C6alkenyl, C2-C6alkynyl, Cs-Cecycloalkyl, Ci-C ₆ haloalkyl, -OR ⁷ , -OR ^15a , -N(R ⁶ )S(0) ₂ R ¹⁵ , -N(R ⁶ )C(0)R ¹⁵ , -N(R ⁶ )C(0)0R ¹⁵ , - N(R ⁶ )C(0)NR ¹⁶ R ¹⁷ , -N(R ⁶ )CHO, -N(R ^7a ) ₂ and -S(0) _r R ¹⁵ . Preferably, R ¹ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, Ci-C6alkyl, Ci-C6fluoroalkyl, -OR ⁷ , -NHS(0) ₂ R ¹⁵ , -NHC(0)R ¹⁵ , - NHC(0)0R ¹⁵ , -NHC(0)NR ¹⁶ R ¹⁷ , -N(R ^7a ) ₂ and -S(0) _r R ¹⁵ . More preferably, R ¹ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, Ci-C6alkyl, Ci-C6fluoroalkyl, -OR ⁷ and -N(R ^7a )2. Even more preferably, R ¹ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Ci-C6alkyl, -OR ⁷ and -N(R ^7a )2. Even more preferably still, R ¹ is hydrogen or Ci-C6alkyl. Yet even more preferably still, R ¹ is hydrogen or methyl. Most preferably R ¹ is hydrogen.

R ² is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, Ci-C6alkyl and Ci-C6haloalkyl. Preferably, R ² is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, Ci-C6alkyl and Ci- Cefluoroalkyl. More preferably, R ² is hydrogen or Ci-C6alkyl. Even more preferably, R ² is hydrogen or methyl. Most preferably R ² is hydrogen.

Wherein when R ¹ is selected from the group consisting of -OR ⁷ , -OR ^15a , -N(R ⁶ )S(0) ₂ R ¹⁵ , -N(R ⁶ )C(0)R ¹⁵ , -N(R ⁶ )C(0)0R ¹⁵ , -N(R ⁶ )C(0)NR ¹⁶ R ¹⁷ , -N(R ⁶ )CHO, -N(R ^7a ) ₂ and -S(0) _r R ¹⁵ , R ² is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and Ci-C6alkyl. Preferably, when R ¹ is selected from the group consisting of -OR ⁷ , -NHS(0) ₂ R ¹⁵ , -NHC(0)R ¹⁵ , -NHC(0)0R ¹⁵ , -NHC(0)NR ¹⁶ R ¹⁷ , -N(R ^7a ) ₂ and -S(0) _r R ¹⁵ , R ² is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl.

Alternatively, R ¹ and R ² together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a C3-C6cycloalkyl ring or a 3- to 6- membered heterocyclyl, which comprises 1 or 2 heteroatoms individually selected from N and O. Preferably, R ¹ and R ² together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a C3- C6cycloalkyl ring. More preferably, R ¹ and R ² together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a cyclopropyl ring.

In one embodiment R ¹ and R ² are hydrogen.

In another embodiment R ¹ is methyl and R ² is hydrogen.

In another embodiment R ¹ is methyl and R ² is methyl.

Q is (CR ^1a R ^2b )m. m is 0, 1 , 2 or 3. Preferably, m is 0,1 or 2. More preferably, m is 1 or 2. Most preferably, m is 1.

Each R ^1a and R ^2b are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, Ci- Cealkyl, Ci-C ₆ haloalkyl, -OH, -OR ⁷ , -OR ^15a , -NH ₂ , -NHR ⁷ , -NHR ^15a , -N(R ⁶ )CHO, -NR ^7b R ^7c and -S(0) _r R ¹⁵ . Preferably, each R ^1a and R ^2b are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, Ci-C6alkyl, Ci-C6fluoroalkyl, -OH, -NH ₂ and -NHR ⁷ . More preferably, each R ^1a and R ^2b are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Ci-C6alkyl, -OH and -NH ₂ . Even more preferably, each R ^1a and R ^2b are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, -OH and -NH ₂ . Even more preferably still, each R ^1a and R ^2b are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl. Most preferably R ^1a and R ^2b are hydrogen.

In another embodiment each R ^1a and R ^2b are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and Ci-C6alkyl.

Alternatively, each R ^1a and R ^2b together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a C3- C6cycloalkyl ring or a 3- to 6- membered heterocyclyl, which comprises 1 or 2 heteroatoms individually selected from N and O. Preferably, each R ^1a and R ^2b together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a C3-C6cycloalkyl ring. More preferably, each R ^1a and R ^2b together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a cyclopropyl ring.

R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro, -S(0)rR ¹⁵ , Ci-C6alkyl, Ci-C6fluoroalkyl, Ci-C6fluoroalkoxy, Ci-C6alkoxy, C3-C6cycloalkyl and - N(R ⁶ ) ₂ . Preferably, R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Ci-C6alkyl, Ci-C6fluoroalkyl, Ci-C6fluoroalkoxy, Ci-C6alkoxy, C3-C6cycloalkyl and -N(R ⁶ ) ₂ . More preferably, R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Ci- C6alkyl and Ci-C6alkoxy. Even more preferably, R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and Ci-C6alkyl. Even more preferably still, R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl. Most preferably, R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen. Each R ⁶ is independently selected from hydrogen and Ci-C6alkyl. Preferably, each R ⁶ is independently selected from hydrogen and methyl.

Each R ⁷ is independently selected from the group consisting of Ci-C6alkyl, -S(0) ₂ R ¹⁵ , -C(0)R ¹⁵ , - C(0)0R ¹⁵ and -C(0)NR ¹⁶ R ¹⁷ . Preferably, each R ⁷ is independently selected from the group consisting of Ci-C6alkyl, -C(0)R ¹⁵ and -C(0)NR ¹⁶ R ¹⁷ . More preferably, each R ⁷ is Ci-C6alkyl. Most preferably, each R ⁷ is methyl.

Each R ^7a is independently selected from the group consisting of -S(0) ₂ R ¹⁵ , -C(0)R ¹⁵ , -C(0)0R ¹⁵ - C(0)NR ¹⁶ R ¹⁷ and -C(0)NR ⁶ R ^15a . Preferably, each R ^7a is independently -C(0)R ¹⁵ or -C(0)NR ¹⁶ R ¹⁷ .

R ^7b and R ^7c are independently selected from the group consisting of Ci-C6alkyl, -S(0) ₂ R ¹⁵ , -C(0)R ¹⁵ , - C(0)0R ¹⁵ , -C(0)NR ¹⁶ R ¹⁷ and phenyl, and wherein said phenyl is optionally substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 R ⁹ substituents, which may be the same or different. Preferably, R ^7b and R ^7c are independently selected from the group consisting of Ci-C6alkyl, -C(0)R ¹⁵ and -C(0)NR ¹⁶ R ¹⁷ . More preferably, R ^7b and R ^7c are Ci-C6alkyl. Most preferably, R ^7b and R ^7c are methyl.

Alternatively, R ^7b and R ^7c together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a 4- to 6- membered heterocyclyl ring which optionally comprises one additional heteroatom individually selected from N, O and S. Preferably, R ^7b and R ^7c together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a 5- to 6-membered heterocyclyl ring which optionally comprises one additional heteroatom individually selected from N and O. More preferably, R ^7b and R ^7c together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form an pyrrolidyl, oxazolidinyl, imidazolidinyl, piperidyl, piperazinyl or morpholinyl group.

A is a fused bicyclic structure of general formula; in which:

(i) ring A ¹ and ring A ² each have 5 members;

(ii) A includes at least one heteroatom selected from N, O and S, with the remainder being carbon atoms;

(iii) at least one of ring A ¹ and ring A ² is aromatic, or A as a whole is aromatic;

(iv) A can be attached to the remainder of the compound of formula (I) at any available position of ring A ² provided it is a carbon atom; (v) one of the carbon atoms is optionally a carbonyl;

(vi) A is optionally substituted in any available position in either or both of ring A ¹ or ring A ² by p substituents R ⁸ , which may be the same or different; and

(vii) p is 0 to 5.

Preferably A comprises at least one nitrogen atom in either ring A ¹ or A ² .

Preferably at least ring A ² is aromatic, more preferably, A as a whole is aromatic. In one embodiment, A as a whole is aromatic, and ring A ¹ includes at least one heteroatom selected from N, O and S, with the remainder being carbon atoms, and ring A ² includes at least one heteroatom selected from N, O and S with the remainder being carbon atoms.

Preferably A contains 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 heteroatoms selected from N, O and S, with the remainder being carbon atoms. More preferably A contains 2,3,4, 5 or 6 heteroatoms selected from N, O and S, with the remainder being carbon atoms. Even more preferably A contains 3, 4, 5 or 6 heteroatoms selected from N, O and S, with the remainder being carbon atoms.

Yet even more preferably, A is selected from the group consisting of formula A-l to A-LXXVII below (the skilled person would appreciate that if p is > 1 then R ⁸ may be substituted on any available position of rings A-l to A-LXXVII),

A-LXXVII Yet even more preferably still, A is selected from the group consisting of formula A-l to A-LXVI below, wherein the jagged line defines the point of attachment to the remaining part of a compound of formula

(I)·

Further more preferably still, A is selected from the group consisting of formula A-la to A-LXVIa below

A-LXVa A-LXVIa wherein the jagged line defines the point of attachment to the remaining part of a compound of formula

(I)· In one embodiment A is selected from the group consisting of formula A- III, A-IX, A-XII, A-XV, A-XVIII, A-XXI, A-XXIV, A-XXVII, A-XXX, A-XXXII, A-XXXIII, A-XXXV, A-XXXVI, A-XXXVIII, A-XL, A-XLII, A- XLIII, A-XLIV, A-XLV, A-XLVIII, A-XLIX, A-L, A-LI, A-LII, A-LVIII, A-LXI, A-LXII, A-LXIV, A-LXV, A- LXVII, A-LXVIII, A-LXIX, A-LXX, A-LXXI, A-LXXII, A-LXXIII, A-LXXIV, A-LXXV, A-LXXVI and A-LXXVII (preferably, A is selected from the group consisting of formula A- III, A-IX, A-XII, A-XV, A-XVIII, A-XXI, A-XXIV, A-XXVII, A-XXX, A-XXXII, A-XXXIII, A-XXXV, A-XXXVI, A-XXXVIII, A-XL, A-XLII, A-XLIII, A- XLIV, A-XLV, A-XLVIII, A-XLIX, A-L, A-LI, A-LII, A-LVIII, A-LXI, A-LXII, A-LXIV and A-LXV) and p is 0 or 1 , preferably 0. In another embodiment A is selected from the group consisting of formula A-XII, A-XXX, A-XXXV, A- XXXVIII, A-XLIII, A-XLIX, A-L, A-LXXI, A-LXXII, A-LXXIII, A-LXXIV, A-LXXV, A-LXXVI and A-LXXVII below (preferably, A-XII, A-XXXV and A-XLIII), A-LXXVI A-LXXVII wherein the jagged line defines the point of attachment to the remaining part of a compound of formula

(I)· In a further embodiment, A is selected from the group consisting of formula A-a, A-b and A-c (preferably A is A-c) below, wherein each X ¹ is independently CH or N; W ¹ is O, S or N(Me) (preferably W ¹ is S); and each A ³ is independently selected from the group consisting of CH, N, O, S and N(Me) (preferably CH, N and S); and wherein the jagged line defines the point of attachment to the remaining part of a compound of formula (I).

Preferably p is 0, 1 or 2, more preferably 0 or 1 , most preferably 0. when A is substituted on one or more carbon atoms by R ⁸ , then each R ⁸ is independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, -NH ₂ , -NHR ⁷ , -N(R ⁷ )2, -OH, -OR ⁷ , -S(0) _r R ¹⁵ , - NR ⁶ S(0) ₂ R ¹⁵ , -C(0)OR ¹⁰ , -C(0)R ¹⁵ , -C(0)NR ¹⁶ R ¹⁷ , -S(0) ₂ NR ¹⁶ R ¹⁷ , Ci-Cealkyl, Ci-C ₆ haloalkyl, C ₃ - C6cycloalkyl, C3-C6halocycloalkyl, C3-C6cycloalkoxy, C ₂ -C6alkenyl, C ₂ -C6haloalkenyl, C ₂ -C6alkynyl, Ci- C3alkoxyCi-C3alkyl-, hydroxyCi-Cealkyl-, Ci-C3alkoxyCi-C3alkoxy-, Ci-C6haloalkoxy, Ci- C3haloalkoxyCi-C3alkyl-, C3-C6alkenyloxy, C3-C6alkynyloxy, N-C3-C6cycloalkylamino, -C(R ⁶ )=NOR ⁶ , phenyl, a 3- to 6- membered heterocyclyl, which comprises 1 or 2 heteroatoms individually selected from N and O, and a 5- or 6- membered heteroaryl, which comprises 1 , 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms individually selected from N, O and S, and wherein said phenyl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl moieties are optionally substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 substituents, which may be the same or different, selected from R ⁹ .

Preferably, when A is substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms, each R ⁸ is independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, -NH ₂ , -NHR ⁷ , -N(R ⁷ ) ₂ , -OR ⁷ , -S(0) _r R ¹⁵ , -NR ⁶ S(0) ₂ R ¹⁵ , -C(0)OR ¹⁰ , -C(0)R ¹⁵ , -C(0)NR ¹⁶ R ¹⁷ , Ci-C ₆ alkyl, Ci-C ₆ haloalkyl, Cs-Cecycloalkyl, Ci-C ₃ alkoxyCi- C3alkyl-, hydroxyCi-Cealkyl- and Ci-C6haloalkoxy.

More preferably, when A is substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms, each R ⁸ is independently selected from the group consisting of chloro, fluoro, cyano, -NH ₂ , -N(Me) ₂ , -OMe, -S(0) ₂ Me, -C(0)0Me, -C(0)0H, -C(0)Me, -C(0)NH ₂ , -C(0)NHMe, -C(0)N(Me) ₂ , methyl, ethyl and trifluoromethyl, even more preferably methyl.

When A is substituted on one or more N atoms by one or more R ⁸ , then each R ⁸ is independently selected from the group consisting of -OR ⁷ , -S(0) _r R ¹² , Ci-C6alkyl, Ci-C6haloalkyl, C3-C6cycloalkyl, C ₃ - Cehalocycloalkyl, C3-C6cycloalkoxy, C ₂ -C6alkenyl, C ₂ -C6haloalkenyl, C ₂ -C6alkynyl, Ci-C3alkoxyCi- C3alkyl-, hydroxyC ₂ -C6alkyl-, Ci-C6haloalkoxy, Ci-C3haloalkoxyCi-C3alkyl-, Ci-C6alkoxycarbonyl, C ₃ - C6alkenyloxy, C3-C6alkynyloxy, Ci-C6alkylcarbonyl, Ci-C6alkylaminocarbonyl, di-Ci- C6alkylaminocarbonyl, phenyl and heteroaryl, wherein the heteroaryl moiety is a 5- or 6-membered monocyclic aromatic ring which comprises 1 , 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms individually selected from N, O and S, and wherein any of said phenyl or heteroaryl moieties are optionally substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 substituents, which may be the same or different, selected from R ⁹ .

Preferably, when A is substituted on one or more N atoms by one or more R ⁸ , then each R ⁸ is selected from the group consisting of -OR ⁷ , Ci-C6alkyl and Ci-C6haloalkyl. More preferably, R ⁸ is Ci-C6alkyl. Even more preferably still, each R ⁸ is methyl or ethyl. Most preferably R ⁸ is methyl. Preferably, each R ⁹ is independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, cyano, -N(R ⁶ ) ₂ , Ci- C ₄ alkyl, Ci-C ₄ alkoxy, Ci-C ₄ haloalkyl and Ci-C ₄ haloalkoxy. More preferably, each R ⁹ is independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, Ci-C ₄ alkyl, Ci-C ₄ alkoxy and Ci-C ₄ haloalkyl. Even more preferably, each R ⁹ is independently selected from the group consisting of halogen and Ci-C ₄ alkyl.

X is selected from the group consisting of C3-C6cycloalkyl, phenyl, a 5- or 6- membered heteroaryl, which comprises 1 , 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms individually selected from N, O and S, and a 4- to 6- membered heterocyclyl, which comprises 1 , 2 or 3 heteroatoms individually selected from N, O and S, and wherein said cycloalkyl, phenyl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl moieties are optionally substituted by 1 or 2 substituents, which may be the same or different, selected from R ⁹ , and wherein the aforementioned CR ¹ R ² , Q and Z moieties may be attached at any position of said cycloalkyl, phenyl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl moieties.

Preferably, X is selected from the group consisting of phenyl and a 4- to 6- membered heterocyclyl, which comprises 1 or 2 heteroatoms individually selected from N and O, and wherein said phenyl or heterocyclyl moieties are optionally substituted by 1 or 2 substituents, which may be the same or different, selected from R ⁹ , and wherein the aforementioned CR ¹ R ² , Q and Z moieties may be attached at any position of said phenyl or heterocyclyl moieties.

More preferably, X is a 4- to 6- membered heterocyclyl, which comprises 1 or 2 heteroatoms individually selected from N and O, and wherein said heterocyclyl moieties is optionally substituted by 1 or 2 substituents, which may be the same or different, selected from R ⁹ , and wherein the aforementioned CR ¹ R ² , Q and Z moieties may be attached at any position of said heterocyclyl moiety.

In one embodiment, X is a 5-membered heterocyclyl, which comprises 1 heteroatom, wherein said heteroatom is N, and wherein the aforementioned CR ¹ R ² , Q and Z moieties may be attached at any position of said heterocyclyl moiety. Preferably, X is a 5-membered heterocyclyl, which comprises 1 heteroatom, wherein said heteroatom is N, and wherein the aforementioned CR ¹ R ² and Q moieties are attached adjacent to the N atom and the Z moiety is attached to the N atom.

In another embodiment, X is phenyl optionally substituted by 1 or 2 substituents, which may be the same or different, selected from R ⁹ , and wherein the aforementioned CR ¹ R ² , Q and Z moieties may be attached at any position of said phenyl moiety. Preferably, X is phenyl and the aforementioned CR ¹ R ² and Q moieties are attached in a postion para to the Z moiety. n is 0 or 1 . Preferably, n is 0.

Z is selected from the group consisting of -C(0)OR ¹⁰ , -CH2OH, -CHO, -C(0)NH0R ¹¹ , -C(0)NHCN, - 0C(0)NH0R ¹¹ , -0C(0)NHCN, -NR ⁶ C(0)NH0R ¹¹ , -NR ⁶ C(0)NHCN, -C(0)NHS(0) ₂ R ¹² , -

0C(0)NHS(0) ₂ R ¹² , -NR ⁶ C(0)NHS(0) ₂ R ¹² , -S(0) ₂ 0R ¹⁰ , -0S(0) ₂ 0R ¹⁰ , -NR ⁶ S(0) ₂ 0R ¹⁰ , -NR ⁶ S(0)OR ¹⁰ , -NHS(0) ₂ R ¹⁴ , -S(0)OR ¹⁰ , -OS(0)OR ¹⁰ , -S(0) ₂ NHCN, -S(0) ₂ NHC(0)R ¹⁸ , -S(0) ₂ NHS(0) ₂ R ¹² , - 0S(0) ₂ NHCN, -0S(0) ₂ NHS(0) ₂ R ¹² , -0S(0) ₂ NHC(0)R ¹⁸ , -NR ⁶ S(0) ₂ NHCN, -NR ⁶ S(0) ₂ NHC(0)R ¹⁸ , - N(0H)C(0)R ¹⁵ , -0NHC(0)R ¹⁵ , -NR ⁶ S(0) ₂ NHS(0) ₂ R ¹² , -P(0)(R ¹³ )(OR ¹⁰ ), -P(0)H(OR ¹⁰ ), -

0P(0)(R ¹³ )(0R ¹ °), -NR ⁶ P(0)(R ¹³ )(OR ¹⁰ ) and tetrazole.

Preferably, Z is selected from the group consisting of -C(0)OR ¹⁰ , -C(0)NH0R ¹¹ , -C(0)NHCN, - 0C(0)NH0R ¹¹ , -NR ⁶ C(0)NH0R ¹¹ , -C(0)NHS(0) ₂ R ¹² , -0C(0)NHS(0) ₂ R ¹² , -NR ⁶ C(0)NHS(0) ₂ R ¹² , - S(0) ₂ 0R ¹⁰ , -0S(0) ₂ 0R ¹⁰ , -NR ⁶ S(0) ₂ 0R ¹⁰ , -NR ⁶ S(0)OR ¹⁰ , -NHS(0) ₂ R ¹⁴ , -S(0)OR ¹⁰ , -OS(0)OR ¹⁰ , - S(0) ₂ NHC(0)R ¹⁸ , -S(0) ₂ NHS(0) ₂ R ¹² , -0S(0) ₂ NHS(0) ₂ R ¹² , -0S(0) ₂ NHC(0)R ¹⁸ , -NR ⁶ S(0) ₂ NHC(0)R ¹⁸ , -N(0H)C(0)R ¹⁵ , -0NHC(0)R ¹⁵ , -NR ⁶ S(0) ₂ NHS(0) ₂ R ¹² , -P(0)(R ¹³ )(OR ¹⁰ ), -P(0)H(OR ¹⁰ ), -

0P(0)(R ¹³ )(0R ¹ °), -NR ⁶ P(0)(R ¹³ )(OR ¹⁰ ) and tetrazole.

More preferably, Z is selected from the group consisting of -C(0)OR ¹⁰ , -C(0)NH0R ¹¹ , -C(0)NHCN, - C(0)NHS(0) ₂ R ¹² , -S(0) ₂ 0R ¹⁰ , -0S(0) ₂ 0R ¹⁰ , -NR ⁶ S(0) ₂ 0R ¹⁰ , -NHS(0) ₂ R ¹⁴ , -S(0)OR ¹⁰ , -

P(0)(R ¹³ )(OR ¹⁰ ) and tetrazole.

Even more preferably Z is selected from the group consisting of -C(0)OR ¹⁰ , -C(0)NHCN, - C(0)NHS(0) ₂ R ¹² , -S(0) ₂ 0R ¹⁰ , and -P(0)(R ¹³ )(OR ¹⁰ ).

Even more preferably still Z is selected from the group consisting of -C(0)0H, -C(0)0CH3, - C(0)0CH ₂ CH ₃ , -C(0)0CH(CH ₃ ) ₂ , -C(0)0C(CH ₃ ) ₃ , -C(0)0CH ₂ C ₆ H ₅ , -C(0)0C ₆ H ₅ , -C(0)NHS(0) ₂ CH ₃ , - S(0) ₂ 0H, -P(0)(0H)( OCH ₂ CH ₃ ) and -P(0)(0CH ₂ CH ₃ )(0CH ₂ CH ₃ ).

Yet even more preferably still, Z is selected from the group consisting of -C(0)0H, -C(0)0CH ₃ , - C(0)0C(CH ₃ ) ₃ and -S(0) ₂ 0H.

Most preferably Z is -C(0)0H or -S(0) ₂ 0H.

R ¹⁰ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Ci-C6alkyl, phenyl and benzyl, and wherein said phenyl or benzyl are optionally substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 R ⁹ substituents, which may be the same or different. Preferably, R ¹⁰ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Ci-C6alkyl, phenyl and benzyl. More preferably, R ¹⁰ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and Ci-C6alkyl. Most preferably, R ¹⁰ is hydrogen.

R ¹¹ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Ci-C6alkyl and phenyl, and wherein said phenyl is optionally substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 R ⁹ substituents, which may be the same or different. Preferably, R ¹¹ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Ci-C6alkyl and phenyl. More preferably, R ¹¹ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and Ci-C6alkyl. Even more preferably, R ¹¹ is Ci-C6alkyl. Most preferably, R ¹¹ is methyl.

R ¹² is selected from the group consisting of Ci-C6alkyl, Ci-C6haloalkyl, Ci-C6alkoxy, -OH, -N(R ⁶ ) ₂ and phenyl, and wherein said phenyl is optionally substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 R ⁹ substituents, which may be the same or different. Preferably, R ¹² is selected from the group consisting of Ci-C6alkyl, Ci-C6haloalkyl, Ci- C6alkoxy, -OH, -N(R ⁶ )2 and phenyl. More preferably, R ¹² is selected from the group consisting of Ci- Cealkyl, Ci-C6haloalkyl and -N(R ⁶ )2. Even more preferably, R ¹² is selected from the group consisting of methyl, -N(Me)2 and trifluoromethyl. Most preferably, R ¹² is methyl.

R ¹³ is selected from the group consisting of -OH, Ci-C6alkyl, Ci-C6alkoxy and phenyl. Preferably R ¹³ is selected from the group consisting of -OH, Ci-C6alkyl and Ci-C6alkoxy. More preferably, R ¹³ is selected from the group consisting of -OH and Ci-C6alkoxy. Even more preferably, R ¹³ is selected from the group consisting of -OH, methoxy and ethoxy. Most preferably, R ¹³ is -OH.

R ¹⁴ is Ci-C6haloalkyl. Preferably, R ¹⁴ is trifluoromethyl.

R ¹⁵ is selected from the group consisting of Ci-C6alkyl and phenyl, and wherein said phenyl is optionally substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 R ⁹ substituents, which may be the same or different. Preferably, R ¹⁵ is selected from the group consisting of Ci-C6alkyl and phenyl. More preferably, R ¹⁵ is Ci-C6alkyl. Most preferably R ¹⁵ is methyl.

R ^15a is phenyl, wherein said phenyl is optionally substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 R ⁹ substituents, which may be the same or different. Preferably, R ^15a is phenyl optionally substituted by 1 R ⁹ substituent. More preferably, R ^15a is phenyl.

R ¹⁶ and R ¹⁷ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and Ci-C6alkyl. Preferably, R ¹⁶ and R ¹⁷ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl.

Alternatively, R ¹⁶ and R ¹⁷ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a 4- to 6- membered heterocyclyl ring which optionally comprises one additional heteroatom individually selected from N, O and S. Preferably, R ¹⁶ and R ¹⁷ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a 5- to 6-membered heterocyclyl ring which optionally comprises one additional heteroatom individually selected from N and O. More preferably, R ¹⁶ and R ¹⁷ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form an pyrrolidyl, oxazolidinyl, imidazolidinyl, piperidyl, piperazinyl or morpholinyl group.

R ¹⁸ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Ci-C6alkyl, Ci-C6haloalkyl, Ci-C6alkoxy, -N(R ⁶ )2 and phenyl, and wherein said phenyl is optionally substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 R ⁹ substituents, which may be the same or different. Preferably, R ¹⁸ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Ci-C6alkyl, Ci-C6haloalkyl, Ci-C6alkoxy, -N(R ⁶ )2 and phenyl. More preferably, R ¹⁸ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Ci-C6alkyl and Ci-C6haloalkyl. Further more preferably, R ¹⁸ is selected from the group consisting of Ci-C6alkyl and Ci-C6haloalkyl. Most preferably, R ¹⁸ is methyl or trifluoromethyl. r is 0, 1 or 2. Preferably, r is 0 or 2. In a set of preferred embodiments, in a compound according to formula (I) of the invention,

R ¹ is hydrogen or Ci-C6alkyl;

R ² is hydrogen or Ci-C6alkyl;

Q is (CR ^1a R ^2b ) _m ; m is 0, 1 or 2;

R ^1a and R ^2b are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Ci-C6alkyl, -OH and - NH ₂ ;

R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl; each R ⁶ is independently selected from hydrogen and methyl; each R ⁷ is Ci-C6alkyl;

A is a fused bicyclic structure of general formula; in which:

(i) ring A ¹ and ring A ² each have 5 members;

(ii) A contains 3,4, 5 or 6 heteroatoms selected from N, O and S, with the remainder being carbon atoms;

(iii) A as a whole is aromatic;

(iv) A is attached to the remainder of the compound of formula (I) at any available position of ring A ² provided it is a carbon atom;

(v) A is optionally substituted in any available position in either or both of ring A ¹ or ring A ² by p substituents R ⁸ , which may be the same or different; and

(vi) p is 0, 1 or 2; when A is substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms, each R ⁸ is independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, -NH ₂ , -NR ⁶ R ⁷ , -OR ⁷ , -S(0) _r R ¹² , -NR ⁶ S(0) _r R ¹² , -C(0)OR ¹⁰ , - C(0)R ¹⁵ , -C(0)NR ¹⁶ R ¹⁷ , Ci-Cealkyl, Ci-C ₆ haloalkyl, Cs-Cecycloalkyl, Ci-CsalkoxyCi-Csalkyl-, hydroxyCi- C6alkyl- and Ci-C6haloalkoxy; when A is substituted on one or more N atoms by one or more R ⁸ , then each R ⁸ is Ci-C6alkyl, most preferably methyl; n is 0;

Z is selected from the group consisting of -C(0)OR ¹⁰ , -C(0)NHCN, -C(0)NHS(0) ₂ R ¹² , -S(0) ₂ 0R ¹⁰ , and -P(0)(R ¹³ )(OR ¹⁰ ); R ¹⁰ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Ci-C6alkyl, phenyl and benzyl;

R ¹² is selected from the group consisting of Ci-C6alkyl, Ci-C6haloalkyl and -N(R ⁶ )2;

R ¹³ is selected from the group consisting of -OH and Ci-C6alkoxy;

R ¹⁵ is Ci-Cealkyl;

R ¹⁶ and R ¹⁷ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl; and r is 0 or 2.

More preferably,

R ¹ is hydrogen or methyl;

R ² is hydrogen or methyl;

Q is (CR ^1a R ^2b ) _m ; m is 0, 1 or 2;

R ^1a and R ^2b are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl;

R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen;

A is selected from the group consisting of formula A-l to A-LXVI and p is 0, 1 , or 2, more preferably 0 or 1 , most preferably 0; when A is substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms, each R ⁸ is independently selected from the group consisting of chloro, fluoro, cyano, -NH2, -N(Me)2, -OMe, -S(0) ₂ Me, -C(0)0Me, -C(0)0H, - C(0)Me, -C(0)NH ₂ , -C(0)NHMe, -C(0)N(Me) ₂ , methyl, ethyl and trifluoromethyl, even more preferably methyl; when A is substituted on one or more N atoms by one or more R ⁸ , then each R ⁸ is Ci-C6alkyl, or most preferably methyl; n is 0; and

Z is selected from the group consisting 0f -C(O)OH, -C(0)0CH3, -C(0)0CH2CH3, -C(0)0CH(CH3)2, - C(0)0C(CH ₃ )3, -C(0)0CH ₂ C ₆ H5, -C(0)0C ₆ H ₅ , -C(0)NHS(0) ₂ CH ₃ , -S(0) ₂ 0H, -P(0)(0H)( OCH2CH3) and -P(0)(0CH2CH3)(0CH ₂ CH3).

In a further set of preferred embodiments, the compound according to formula (I) is selected from a compound of formula (l-aa) to (l-di) below

l-am l-an l-ao

wherein p is 0, 1 or 2; preferably 0 or 1 , more preferably 0; when A is substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms, each R ⁸ is independently selected from the group consisting of chloro, fluoro, cyano, -Nhb, -N(Me)2, -OMe, -S(0) ₂ Me, -C(0)0Me, -C(0)0H, - C(0)Me, -C(0)NH ₂ , -C(0)NHMe, -C(0)N(Me) ₂ , methyl, ethyl and trifluoromethyl, even more preferably methyl; when A is substituted on one or more N atoms by one or more R ⁸ , then each R ⁸ is Ci-C6alkyl, or most preferably methyl; and

Z is selected from the group consisting 0f -C(O)OH, -C(0)0CH3, -C(0)0CH2CH3, -C(0)0CH(CH3)2, - C(0)0C(CH ₃ )3, -C(0)0CH ₂ C ₆ H5, -C(0)0C ₆ H ₅ , -C(0)NHS(0) ₂ CH ₃ , -S(0) ₂ 0H, -P(0)(0H)( OCH2CH3) and -P(0)(0CH ₂ CH3)( OCH2CH3), preferably Z is -C(0)0H or -S(0) ₂ 0H.

In another preferred embodiment,

R ¹ is hydrogen or methyl;

R ² is hydrogen or methyl;

Q is (CR ^1a R ^2b ) _m ; m is 0, 1 or 2;

R ^1a and R ^2b are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl;

R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen;

A is selected from the group consisting of formula A-l to A-LXXVII and p is 0, 1 , or 2, more preferably 0 or 1 , most preferably 0; when A is substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms, each R ⁸ is independently selected from the group consisting of chloro, fluoro, cyano, -NH2, -N(Me)2, -OMe, -S(0) ₂ Me, -C(0)0Me, -C(0)0H, - C(0)Me, -C(0)NH ₂ , -C(0)NHMe, -C(0)N(Me) ₂ , methyl, ethyl and trifluoromethyl (preferably methyl); when A is substituted on one or more N atoms by one or more R ⁸ , then each R ⁸ is Ci-C6alkyl, or most preferably methyl; n is 0; and

Z is selected from the group consisting of -C(0)0H, -C(0)0CH3, -C(0)0C(CH3)3 and -S(0)20H.

Preferably, in this embodiment,

R ¹ is hydrogen;

R ² is hydrogen;

Q is (CR ^1a R ^2b ) _m ; m is 0, 1 or 2;

R ^1a and R ^2b are hydrogen;

R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen;

A is selected from the group consisting of formula A- III, A-IX, A-XII, A-XV, A-XVIII, A-XXI, A-XXIV, A- XXVII, A-XXX, A-XXXII, A-XXXIII, A-XXXV, A-XXXVI, A-XXXVIII, A-XL, A-XLII, A-XLIII, A-XLIV, A-XLV, A-XLVIII, A-XLIX, A-L, A-LI, A-LII, A-LVIII, A-LXI, A-LXII, A-LXIV, A-LXV, A-LXVII, A-LXVIII, A-LXIX, A- LXX, A-LXXI, A-LXXII, A-LXXIII, A-LXXIV, A-LXXV, A-LXXVI and A-LXXVII and p is 0 or 1 , preferably 0; when A is substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms, each R ⁸ is methyl; when A is substituted on one or more N atoms by one or more R ⁸ , then each R ⁸ is methyl; n is 0; and

Z is selected from the group consisting of -C(0)0H, -C(0)0CH3, -C(0)0C(CH3)3 and -S(0)20H (preferably, Z is -C(0)0H or -S(0) ₂ 0H).

More preferably, in this embodiment,

R ¹ is hydrogen;

R ² is hydrogen;

Q is (CR ^1a R ^2b ) _m ; m is 0, 1 or 2;

R ^1a and R ^2b are hydrogen;

R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen;

A is selected from the group consisting of formula A-XII, A-XXX, A-XXXV, A-XXXVIII, A-XLIII, A-XLIX, A-L, A-LXXI, A-LXXII, A-LXXIII, A-LXXIV, A-LXXV, A-LXXVI and A-LXXVII (preferably, A-XII, A-XXXV and A-XLIII) and p is 0 or 1 , preferably 0; when A is substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms, each R ⁸ is methyl; when A is substituted on one or more N atoms by one or more R ⁸ , then each R ⁸ is methyl; n is 0; and

Z is selected from the group consisting of -C(0)0H, -C(0)0CH3, -C(0)0C(CH3)3 and -S(0)20H (preferably, Z is -C(0)0H or -S(0) ₂ 0H).

In another preferred set of embodiments,

R ¹ is hydrogen;

R ² is hydrogen;

Q is (CR ^1a R ^2b ) _m ; m is 0, 1 or 2;

R ^1a and R ^2b are hydrogen;

R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen;

A is selected from the group consisting of formula A-a, A-b and A-c (preferably A is A-c) below, wherein each X ¹ is independently CH or N;

W ¹ is O, S or N(Me) (preferably W ¹ is S); each A ³ is independently selected from the group consisting of CH, N, O, S and N(Me) (preferably CH, N and S); and wherein the jagged line defines the point of attachment to the remaining part of a compound of formula (I); n is 0; and Z is selected from the group consisting of -C(0)0H, -C(0)0CH3, -C(0)0C(CH3)3 and -S(0)20H (preferably, Z is -C(0)0H or -S(0) ₂ 0H).

In one set of embodiments, the compound according to formula (I) is is selected from a compound selected from the group consisting of A1 to A20 listed in Table A.

It should be understood that compounds of formula (I) may exist/be manufactured in ‘procidal form’, wherein they comprise a group ‘G’. Such compounds are referred to herein as compounds of formula (l-IV). G is a group which may be removed in a plant by any appropriate mechanism including, but not limited to, metabolism and chemical degradation to give a compound of formula (l-l), (l-ll) or (l-lll) wherein Z contains an acidic proton, for example see the scheme below:

Whilst such G groups may be considered as ‘procidal’, and thus yield active herbicidal compounds once removed, compounds comprising such groups may also exhibit herbicidal activity in their own right. In such cases in a compound of formula (l-l V) (wherein Y represents an agronomically acceptable anion), Z-G may include but is not limited to, any one of (G1) to (G7) below and E indicates the point of attachment to the remaining part of a compound of formula (I): In embodiments where Z-G is (G1) to (G7), G, R ¹⁹ , R ²⁰ , R ²¹ , R ²² and R ²³ are defined as follows:

G is Ci-C6alkyl, C2-C6alkenyl, C2-C6alkynyl, -C(R ²¹ R ²² )0C(0)R ¹⁹ , phenyl or phenyl-Ci-C ₄ alkyl-, wherein said phenyl moiety is optionally substituted by 1 to 5 substituents independently selected from halo, cyano, nitro, Ci-C6alkyl, Ci-C6haloalkyl or Ci-C6alkoxy.

R ¹⁹ is Ci-C6alkyl or phenyl,

R ²⁰ is hydroxy, Ci-C6alkyl, Ci-C6alkoxy or phenyl,

R ²¹ is hydrogen or methyl, R ²² is hydrogen or methyl,

R ²³ is hydrogen or Ci-C6alkyl.

The compounds in Tables 1 to 34 below illustrate the compounds of the invention. The skilled person would understand that the compounds of formula (I) may exist as an agronomically acceptable salt, a zwitterion or an agronomically acceptable salt of a zwitterion as described hereinbefore.

Table 1 :

This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-1): (T-1) wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen.

Table 2:

This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-2):

(T-2) wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen.

Table 3:

This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-3): wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen.

Table 4: This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-4): wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen. Table 5:

This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-5): wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen.

Table 6:

This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-6): (T-6) wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen. Table 7:

This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-7): wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen.

Table 8:

This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-8): wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen.

Table 9:

This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-9): (T-9) wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen. Table 10:

This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-10): (T-10) wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen.

Table 11 :

This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-11): wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen.

Table 12: This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-12): wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen. Table 13:

This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-13): (T-13) wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen. Table 14:

This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-14):

(T-14) wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen.

Table 15:

This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-15):

(T-15) wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen.

Table 16:

This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-16): (T-16) wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen. Table 17:

This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-17): (T-17) wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen.

Table 18:

This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-18): wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen.

Table 19: This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-19): wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen. Table 20:

This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-20): (T-20) wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen. Table 21 :

This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-21):

(T-21) wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen. Table 22:

This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-22):

(T-22) wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen.

Table 23:

This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-23): (T-23) wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen. Table 24:

This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-24): wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen.

Table 25: This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-25): wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen. Table 26:

This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-26): wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen.

Table 27:

This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-27): wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen. Table 28:

This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-28): wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen.

Table 29:

This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-29): wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen.

Table 30:

This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-30): (T-30) wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen. Table 31 :

This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-31): (T-31) wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen. Table 32:

This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-32): wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen.

Table 33: This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-33): wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen. Table 34:

This table discloses 65 specific compounds of the formula (T-34): wherein A is as defined in Table 1 and R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen.

The compounds of the present invention may be prepared according to the following schemes in which the substituents n, m, r, A, Q, X, Z, R ¹ , R ² , R ^1a , R ^2b , R ² , R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ , R ^7a , R ^7b R ^7c , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ¹⁰ , R ¹¹ , R ¹² , R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ , R ¹⁵ , R ^15a , R ¹⁶ , R ¹⁷ and R ¹⁸ are as defined hereinbefore unless explicitly stated otherwise. The compounds of the preceeding Tables 1 to 34 may thus be obtained in an analogous manner.

The compounds of formula (I) may be prepared by the alkylation of compounds of formula (X), wherein R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ , R ⁵ and A are as defined for compounds of formula (I), with a suitable alkylating agent of formula (W), wherein R ¹ , R ² , Q, X, n and Z are as defined for compounds of formula (I) and LG is a suitable leaving group, for example, halide or pseudohalide such as triflate, mesylate or tosylate, in a suitable solvent at a suitable temperature, as described in reaction scheme 1. Example conditions include stirring a compound of formula (X) with an alkylating agent of formula (W) in a solvent, or mixture of solvents, such as acetone, dichloromethane, dichloroethane, A/,A/-dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, 1 ,4-dioxane, water, acetic acid or triflu roacetic acid at a temperature between -78°C and 150°C. An alkylating agent of formula (W) may include, but is not limited to, bromoacetic acid, methyl bromoacetate, 3-bromopropionoic acid, methyl 3-bromopropionate, 2-bromo-A/-methoxyacetamide, sodium 2- bromoethanesulphonate, 2,2-dimethylpropyl 2-(trifluoromethylsulfonyloxy)ethanesulfonate, 2-bromo-A/- methanesulfonylacetamide, 3-bromo-A/-methanesulfonylpropanamide, dimethoxyphosphorylmethyl trifluoromethanesulfonate, dimethyl 3-bromopropylphosphonate, 3-chloro-2, 2-dimethyl-propanoic acid and diethyl 2-bromoethylphosphonate. Such alkylating agents and related compounds are either known in the literature or may be prepared by known literature methods. Compounds of formula (I) which may be described as esters of N- alkyl acids, which include, but are not limited to, esters of carboxylic acids, phosphonic acids, phosphinic acids, sulfonic acids and sulfinic acids, may be subsequently partially or fully hydrolysed by treament with a suitable reagent, for example, aqueous hydrochloric acid or trimethylsilyl bromide, in a suitable solvent at a suitable temperature between 0°C and 100°C.

Reaction scheme 1 formula (X) formula (I)

Additionally, compounds of formula (I) may be prepared by reacting compounds of formula (X), wherein R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ , R ⁵ and A are as defined for compounds of formula (I), with a suitably activated electrophilic alkene of formula (B), wherein Z is -S(0) ₂ 0R ¹⁰ , -P(0)(R ¹³ )(OR ¹⁰ ) or -C(0)OR ¹⁰ and R ¹ , R ² , R ^1a , R ¹⁰ and R ¹³ are as defined for compounds of formula (I), in a suitable solvent at a suitable temperature. Compounds of formula (B) are known in the literature, or may be prepared by known methods. Example reagents include, but are not limited to, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, 3,3-dimethylacrylic acid, methyl acrylate, ethene sulfonic acid, isopropyl ethylenesulfonate, 2,2-dimethylpropyl ethenesulfonate and dimethyl vinylphosphonate. The direct products of these reactions, which may be described as esters of N-alkyl acids, which include, but are not limited to, esters of carboxylic acids, phosphonic acids, phosphinic acids, sulfonic acids and sulfinic acids, may be subsequently partially or fully hydrolysed by treament with a suitable reagent in a suitable solvent at a suitable temperature, as described in reaction scheme 2.

Reaction scheme 2 formula (I), wherein formula (I), wherein formula (X) m=1 , n=0 and m=1 , n=0 and

Z=S(0) ₂ 0R ¹⁰ , P(0)(R ¹³ )(0R ¹⁰ ), Z=S(0) ₂ 0H, P(0)(R ¹³ )(0H), C(0)0R ¹⁰ C(0)0H

In a related reaction compounds of formula (I), wherein Q is C(R ^1a R ^2b ), m is 1 , 2 or 3, n=0 and Z is - S(0) ₂ 0H, -0S(0) ₂ 0H or -NR ⁶ S(0) ₂ 0H, may be prepared by the reaction of compounds of formula (X), wherein R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ , R ⁵ and A are as defined for compounds of formula (I), with a cyclic alkylating agent of formula (E), (F) or (AF), wherein Y ^a is C(R ^1a R ^2b ), O or NR ⁶ and R ¹ , R ² , R ^1a and R ^2b are as defined for compounds of formula (I), in a suitable solvent at a suitable temperature, as described in reaction scheme 3. Suitable solvents and suitable temperatures are as previously described. An alkylating agent of formula (E) or (F) may include, but is not limited to, 1 ,3-propanesultone, 1 ,4-butanesultone, ethylenesulfate, 1 ,3-propylene sulfate and 1 ,2,3-oxathiazolidine 2,2-dioxide. Such alkylating agents and related compounds are either known in the literature or may be prepared by known literature methods.

Reaction scheme 3

A compound of formula (I), wherein m is 0, n is 0 and Z is -S(0) ₂ 0H, may be prepared from a compound of formula (I), wherein m is 0, n is 0 and Z is C(0)OR ¹⁰ , by treatment with trimethylsilylchlorosulfonate in a suitable solvent at a suitable temperature, as described in reaction scheme 4. Preferred conditions include heating the carboxylate precursor in neat trimethylsilylchlorosulfonate at a temperature between 25°C and 150°C.

Reaction scheme 4 formula (I), wherein formula (I), wherein m=0, n=0 m=0, n=0 and Z=C(0)0R ¹⁰ and Z=S(0) ₂ 0H

Furthermore, compounds of formula (I) may be prepared by reacting compounds of formula (X), wherein R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ , R ⁵ and A are as defined for compounds of formula (I), with a suitable alcohol of formula (WW), wherein R ¹ , R ² , Q, X, n and Z are as defined for compounds of formula (I), under Mitsunobu-type conditions such as those reported by Petit et al, Tet. Lett. 2008, 49 (22), 3663. Suitable phosphines include triphenylphosphine, suitable azodicarboxylates include diisopropylazodicarboxylate and suitable acids include fluoroboric acid, triflic acid and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amine, as described in reaction scheme 5. Such alcohols are either known in the literature or may be prepared by known literature methods.

Reaction scheme 5 z

Acid, Ph ₃ P

In another approach a compound of formula (I), wherein n, Q, Z, X, R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ , R ⁵ and A are as defined for compounds of formula (I), may be prepared from a compound of formula (R) and an oxidant, in a suitable solvent at a suitable temperature, as outlined in reaction scheme 6. Examples of such oxidants include, but are not limited to, tetrachloro-p-benzoquinone, 2,3-dichloro-5,6- dicyanobenzoquinone, bromine, N-bromosuccinimide, manganese dioxide, selenium dioxide, potassium permanganate or biocatalysts. Related reactions are known in the literature.

Reaction scheme 6

A compound of formula (R), wherein n, Q, Z, X, R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ , R ⁵ and A are as defined for compounds of formula (I), may be prepared from a compound of formula (S) and an organometallic of formula (T), wherein M’ includes, but is not limited to, organomagnesium, organolithium, organocopper and organozinc reagents, in a suitable solvent at a suitable temperature, optionally in the presence of an additonal transition metal additive, as outlined in reaction scheme 7. Example conditions include treating a compound of formula (S) with a Grignard of formula (T), in the presence of 0.05-100 mol% copper iodide, in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran at a temperature between -78°C and 100°C. Organometallics of formula (T) are known in the literature, or may be prepared by known literature methods. Compounds of formula (S) may be prepared by analogous reactions to those for the preparation of compounds of formula (I) from a compound of formula (X). Reaction scheme 7

Compounds of formula (I) may also be prepared by oxidation of a compound of formula (BB), wherein A, R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are as defined for compounds of formula (I), as outlined in reaction scheme 8. Example conditions include stirring a compound of formula (BB) in a suitable solvent at a suitable temperature in the presence of a suitable oxidant. Examples of such oxidants include, but are not limited to, tetrachloro-p-benzoquinone, 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanobenzoquinone, bromine, N- bromosuccinimide, manganese dioxide, selenium dioxide, potassium permanganate or biocatalysts. See, for example, Toscani, Anita et al, ACS Catalysis, 8(9), 8781-8787; 2018, Chang, Meng-Yang et al, Tetrahedron Letters, 51 (37), 4886-4889; 201.

Reaction scheme 8

Compounds of formula (BB) may be prepared from a compound of formula (CC), wherein A, R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are as defined for compounds of formula (I), by analogous N-alkylation methods previously described in schemes 1 , 2 and 3, using reagents (W), (B), (E), (F), (AF) and (WW). Reaction scheme 9 formula (CC) formula (BB) Compounds of formula (X) are known in the literature or may be prepared using literature methods. Example methods include, but are not limited to, the transition metal cross-coupling of compounds of formula (H) and formula (J), or alternatively compounds of formula (K) and formula (L), as outlined in scheme 10. For organometallics of formula (J) and formula (L), M’ is either an organostannane, organoboronic acid or ester, organotrifluoroborate, organomagnesium, organocopper or organozinc, and for compounds of formula (H) and (K) Hal is defined as a halogen or pseudo halogen, for example triflate, mesylate and tosylate. Such cross-couplings include Stille (for example Sauer, J.; Heldmann, D. K. Tetrahedron, 1998, 4297), Suzuki-Miyaura (for example Luebbers, T.; Flohr, A.; Jolidon, S.; David- Pierson, P.; Jacobsen, H.; Ozmen, L.; Baumann, K. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., 2011 , 6554), Negishi (for example Imahori, T.; Suzawa, K.; Kondo, Y. Heterocycles, 2008, 1057), and Kumada (for example Heravi, M. M.; Hajiabbasi, P. Monatsh. Chem., 2012, 1575). The coupling partners may be selected with reference to the specific cross-coupling reaction and target product. Transition metal catalysts, ligands, bases, solvents and temperatures may be selected with reference to the desired cross-coupling and are known in the literature. Compounds of formula (H), formula (K) and formula (L) are known in the literature, or may be prepared by known literature methods.

Reaction scheme 10

Transition metal catalyst

Ligand

A— M' + formula (L) formula (X)

A compound of formula (J), wherein M‘ is either an organostannane, organoboronic acid or ester, organotrifluoroborate, organomagnesium, organocopper or organozinc, may be prepared from a compound of formula (K), wherein R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are as defined for compounds of formula (I), and Hal is defined as a halogen or pseudo halogen, for example triflate, mesylate and tosylate, as described in scheme 11 . Example conditions are well known in the literature, for example halogen-metal exchange (wherein Hal is iodine, bromide and chlorine), or transition metal mediated cross-coupling of either a diboron or distannane reagent (wherein Hal is iodine, bromide, chlorine, triflate, mesylate and tosylate). Example halogen-metal exchange conditions to prepare a compound of formula (J), wherein M’ is an organostannane, include treatment of a compound of formula (K) with butyl lithium then tri-n-butyltin chloride in an appropriate solvent at an appropriate temperature (for example see Koch, V.; Nieger, M.; Braese, S., Adv. Synth. Catal., 2017, 832). Example halogen-metal exchange conditions to prepare a compound of formula (J), wherein M’ is an organoboronic acid, include treatment of a compound of formula (K) with butyl lithium then triisopropyl borate in an appropriate solvent at an appropriate temperature (for example see Fudickar, W.; Linker, T., J. Org. Chem., 2017, 9258). Example halogen- metal exchange conditions to prepare a compound of formula (J), wherein M’ is an organomagnesium, include treatment of a compound of formula (K) with isopropyl magnesium chloride in an appropriate solvent at an appropriate temperature (for example see Salituro et al. WO 2018075699), or alternatively activated magnesium in an appropriate solvent at an appropriate temperature (for example see Tang et al. CN 107417486). Example halogen-metal exchange conditions to prepare a compound of formula (J), wherein M’ is an organozinc, include treatment of a compound of formula (K) with isopropyl magnesium chloride then dichloro(N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine)zinc in an appropriate solvent at an appropriate temperature (for example see Baba et al. JP 2013227251). Example transition metal mediated conditions to prepare a compound of formula (J), wherein M’ is an organostannane, include treatment of a compound of formula (K) with hexamethyldistannane and bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(ll) dichloride in an appropriate solvent at an appropriate temperature (for example see Barbachyn, M. R. et al., J. Med. Chem., 2003, 284). Example transition metal mediated conditions to prepare a compound of formula (J), wherein M’ is an organboronic acid, include treatment of a compound of formula (K) with bis(pinacolato)diboron, bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(ll) dichloride and potassium acetate in an appropriate solvent at an appropriate temperature (for example see Meng et al. CN 104276997). Compounds of formula (K) are either known in the literature or can be prepared by known methods.

Reaction scheme 11

In an addtional approach, outlined in reaction scheme 12, compounds of formula (X) may be prepared by classical ring synthesis approaches starting from a compound of formula (ZZ), wherein R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are as defined for compounds of formula (I) and T is a functional group which can be converted through one or more chemical steps into a fused bicylic structure A, wherein A is as defined for compounds of formula (I). Example functional groups include, but are not limited to, -CO2H, -C(0)NH ₂ , -C(S)NH ₂ ,-C(0)Me, -C(0)H, -CN and -Hal, and such transformations are are known in the literature.

Reaction scheme 12 A compound of formula (X) may also be prepared from a compound of formula (DD) or a compound of formula (CC) using similar oxidation conditions as described previously, as outlined in reaction scheme 13.

Reaction scheme 13 Compounds of formula (CC) may be prepared by deprotection of a compound of formula (DD), wherein A, R ³ , R ^3a , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are as defined for compounds of formula (I) and G _a is a suitable protecting group, as outlined in reaction scheme 14. Examples of suitable protecting groups and conditions are well known in the literature. Reaction scheme 14

Compounds of formula (DD) are known in the literature or may be prepared using literature methods (for example see Dyckman et al. WO 2019126082). Example methods include, but are not limited to, the transition metal cross-coupling of compounds of formula (H) and formula (EE), wherein M’ is either an organostannane, organoboronic acid or ester, organotrifluoroborate, organomagnesium, organocopper or organozinc, as outlined in reaction scheme 15. Such cross-couplings include Stille, see for example Lee, Ju-Hyeon et al, European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 74, 246-257; 2014, Suzuki-Miyaura, see for example Kim, Eunkyung et al, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 18(18), 4993-4996; 2008 and Negishi, see for example Baskaran, Subramanian et al, PCT Int. Appl. , 2010091409. The coupling partners may be selected with reference to the specific cross-coupling reaction and target product. Transition metal catalysts, ligands, bases, solvents and temperatures may be selected with reference to the desired cross-coupling and are known in the literature. Compounds of formula (H) and formula (EE) are known in the literature, or may be prepared by known literature methods.

Reaction scheme 15

Transition metal catalyst

Ligand

A— Hal + formula (H) formula (DD)

The compounds according to the invention can be used as herbicidal agents in unmodified form, but they are generally formulated into compositions in various ways using formulation adjuvants, such as carriers, solvents and surface-active substances. The formulations can be in various physical forms, e.g. in the form of dusting powders, gels, wettable powders, water-dispersible granules, water- dispersible tablets, effervescent pellets, emulsifiable concentrates, microemulsifiable concentrates, oil- in-water emulsions, oil-flowables, aqueous dispersions, oily dispersions, suspo-emulsions, capsule suspensions, emulsifiable granules, soluble liquids, water-soluble concentrates (with water or a water- miscible organic solvent as carrier), impregnated polymer films or in other forms known e.g. from the Manual on Development and Use of FAO and WHO Specifications for Pesticides, United Nations, First Edition, Second Revision (2010). For water-soluble compounds, soluble liquids, water-soluble concentrates or water soluble granules are preferred. Such formulations can either be used directly or diluted prior to use. The dilutions can be made, for example, with water, liquid fertilisers, micronutrients, biological organisms, oil or solvents.

The formulations can be prepared e.g. by mixing the active ingredient with the formulation adjuvants in order to obtain compositions in the form of finely divided solids, granules, solutions, dispersions or emulsions. The active ingredients can also be formulated with other adjuvants, such as finely divided solids, mineral oils, oils of vegetable or animal origin, modified oils of vegetable or animal origin, organic solvents, water, surface-active substances or combinations thereof.

The active ingredients can also be contained in very fine microcapsules. Microcapsules contain the active ingredients in a porous carrier. This enables the active ingredients to be released into the environment in controlled amounts (e.g. slow-release). Microcapsules usually have a diameter of from 0.1 to 500 microns. They contain active ingredients in an amount of about from 25 to 95 % by weight of the capsule weight. The active ingredients can be in the form of a monolithic solid, in the form of fine particles in solid or liquid dispersion or in the form of a suitable solution. The encapsulating membranes can comprise, for example, natural or synthetic rubbers, cellulose, styrene/butadiene copolymers, polyacrylonitrile, polyacrylate, polyesters, polyamides, polyureas, polyurethane or chemically modified polymers and starch xanthates or other polymers that are known to the person skilled in the art. Alternatively, very fine microcapsules can be formed in which the active ingredient is contained in the form of finely divided particles in a solid matrix of base substance, but the microcapsules are not themselves encapsulated.

The formulation adjuvants that are suitable for the preparation of the compositions according to the invention are known per se. As liquid carriers there may be used: water, toluene, xylene, petroleum ether, vegetable oils, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, cyclohexanone, acid anhydrides, acetonitrile, acetophenone, amyl acetate, 2-butanone, butylene carbonate, chlorobenzene, cyclohexane, cyclohexanol, alkyl esters of acetic acid, diacetone alcohol, 1 ,2-dichloropropane, diethanolamine, p- diethylbenzene, diethylene glycol, diethylene glycol abietate, diethylene glycol butyl ether, diethylene glycol ethyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ether, A/,A/-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, 1 ,4- dioxane, dipropylene glycol, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol dibenzoate, diproxitol, alkylpyrrolidone, ethyl acetate, 2-ethylhexanol, ethylene carbonate, 1 ,1 ,1 -trichloroethane, 2-heptanone, alpha-pinene, d-limonene, ethyl lactate, ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol butyl ether, ethylene glycol methyl ether, gamma-butyrolactone, glycerol, glycerol acetate, glycerol diacetate, glycerol triacetate, hexadecane, hexylene glycol, isoamyl acetate, isobornyl acetate, isooctane, isophorone, isopropylbenzene, isopropyl myristate, lactic acid, laurylamine, mesityl oxide, methoxypropanol, methyl isoamyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl laurate, methyl octanoate, methyl oleate, methylene chloride, m-xylene, n-hexane, n-octylamine, octadecanoic acid, octylamine acetate, oleic acid, oleylamine, o-xylene, phenol, polyethylene glycol, propionic acid, propyl lactate, propylene carbonate, propylene glycol, propylene glycol methyl ether, p-xylene, toluene, triethyl phosphate, triethylene glycol, xylenesulfonic acid, paraffin, mineral oil, trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, ethyl acetate, amyl acetate, butyl acetate, propylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ether, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and alcohols of higher molecular weight, such as amyl alcohol, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, hexanol, octanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol, A/-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and the like.

Suitable solid carriers are, for example, talc, titanium dioxide, pyrophyllite clay, silica, attapulgite clay, kieselguhr, limestone, calcium carbonate, bentonite, calcium montmorillonite, cottonseed husks, wheat flour, soybean flour, pumice, wood flour, ground walnut shells, lignin and similar substances.

A large number of surface-active substances can advantageously be used in both solid and liquid formulations, especially in those formulations which can be diluted with a carrier prior to use. Surface- active substances may be anionic, cationic, non-ionic or polymeric and they can be used as emulsifiers, wetting agents or suspending agents or for other purposes. Typical surface-active substances include, for example, salts of alkyl sulfates, such as diethanolammonium lauryl sulfate; salts of alkylarylsulfonates, such as calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate; alkylphenol/alkylene oxide addition products, such as nonylphenol ethoxylate; alcohol/alkylene oxide addition products, such as tridecylalcohol ethoxylate; soaps, such as sodium stearate; salts of alkylnaphthalenesulfonates, such as sodium dibutylnaphthalenesulfonate; dialkyl esters of sulfosu coin ate salts, such as sodium di(2- ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate; sorbitol esters, such as sorbitol oleate; quaternary amines, such as lauryltrimethylammonium chloride, polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids, such as polyethylene glycol stearate; block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide; and salts of mono- and di- alkylphosphate esters; and also further substances described e.g. in McCutcheon's Detergents and Emulsifiers Annual, MC Publishing Corp., Ridgewood New Jersey (1981).

Further adjuvants that can be used in pesticidal formulations include crystallisation inhibitors, viscosity modifiers, suspending agents, dyes, anti-oxidants, foaming agents, light absorbers, mixing auxiliaries, antifoams, complexing agents, neutralising or pH-modifying substances and buffers, corrosion inhibitors, fragrances, wetting agents, take-up enhancers, micronutrients, plasticisers, glidants, lubricants, dispersants, thickeners, antifreezes, microbicides, and liquid and solid fertilisers.

The compositions according to the invention can include an additive comprising an oil of vegetable or animal origin, a mineral oil, alkyl esters of such oils or mixtures of such oils and oil derivatives. The amount of oil additive in the composition according to the invention is generally from 0.01 to 10 %, based on the mixture to be applied. For example, the oil additive can be added to a spray tank in the desired concentration after a spray mixture has been prepared. Preferred oil additives comprise mineral oils or an oil of vegetable origin, for example rapeseed oil, olive oil or sunflower oil, emulsified vegetable oil, alkyl esters of oils of vegetable origin, for example the methyl derivatives, or an oil of animal origin, such as fish oil or beef tallow. Preferred oil additives comprise alkyl esters of C8-C22 fatty acids, especially the methyl derivatives of C12-C18 fatty acids, for example the methyl esters of lauric acid, palmitic acid and oleic acid (methyl laurate, methyl palmitate and methyl oleate, respectively). Many oil derivatives are known from the Compendium of Herbicide Adjuvants, 10 ^th Edition, Southern Illinois University, 2010.

The herbicidal compositions generally comprise from 0.1 to 99 % by weight, especially from 0.1 to 95 % by weight, compounds of formula (I) and from 1 to 99.9 % by weight of a formulation adjuvant which preferably includes from 0 to 25 % by weight of a surface-active substance. The inventive compositions generally comprise from 0.1 to 99 % by weight, especially from 0.1 to 95 % by weight, of compounds of the present invention and from 1 to 99.9 % by weight of a formulation adjuvant which preferably includes from 0 to 25 % by weight of a surface-active substance. Whereas commercial products may preferably be formulated as concentrates, the end user will normally employ dilute formulations.

The rates of application vary within wide limits and depend on the nature of the soil, the method of application, the crop plant, the pest to be controlled, the prevailing climatic conditions, and other factors governed by the method of application, the time of application and the target crop. As a general guideline compounds may be applied at a rate of from 1 to 2000 l/ha, especially from 10 to 1000 l/ha. Preferred formulations can have the following compositions (weight %):

Emulsifiable concentrates: active ingredient: 1 to 95 %, preferably 60 to 90 % surface-active agent: 1 to 30 %, preferably 5 to 20 % liquid carrier: 1 to 80 %, preferably 1 to 35 %

Dusts: active ingredient: 0.1 to 10 %, preferably 0.1 to 5 % solid carrier: 99.9 to 90 %, preferably 99.9 to 99 %

Suspension concentrates: active ingredient: 5 to 75 %, preferably 10 to 50 % water: 94 to 24 %, preferably 88 to 30 % surface-active agent: 1 to 40 %, preferably 2 to 30 %

Wettable powders: active ingredient: 0.5 to 90 %, preferably 1 to 80 % surface-active agent: 0.5 to 20 %, preferably 1 to 15 % solid carrier: 5 to 95 %, preferably 15 to 90 %

Granules: active ingredient: 0.1 to 30 %, preferably 0.1 to 15 % solid carrier: 99.5 to 70 %, preferably 97 to 85 %

The composition of the present may further comprise at least one additional pesticide. For example, the compounds according to the invention can also be used in combination with other herbicides or plant growth regulators. In a preferred embodiment the additional pesticide is a herbicide and/or herbicide safener.

Thus, compounds of formula (I) can be used in combination with one or more other herbicides to provide various herbicidal mixtures. Specific examples of such mixtures include (wherein “I” represents a compound of formula (I)): I + acetochlor, I + acifluorfen (including acifluorfen-sodium), I + aclonifen, I + ametryn, I + amicarbazone, I + aminopyralid, I + aminotriazole, I + atrazine, I + beflubutamid-M, I + benquitrione, I + bensulfuron (including bensulfuron-methyl), I + bentazone, I + bicyclopyrone, I + bilanafos, I + bispyribac-sodium, I + bixlozone, I + bromacil, I + bromoxynil, I + butachlor, I + butafenacil, I + carfentrazone (including carfentrazone-ethyl), I + cloransulam (including cloransulam-methyl), I + chlorimuron (including chlorimuron-ethyl), I + chlorotoluron, I + chlorsulfuron, I + cinmethylin, I + clacyfos, I + clethodim, I + clodinafop (including clodinafop-propargyl), I + clomazone, I + clopyralid, I + cyclopyranil, I + cyclopyrimorate, I + cyclosulfamuron, I + cyhalofop (including cyhalofop-butyl), I + 2,4- D (including the choline salt and 2-ethylhexyl ester thereof), I + 2,4-DB, I + desmedipham, I + dicamba (including the aluminium, aminopropyl, bis-aminopropylmethyl, choline, dichloroprop, diglycolamine, dimethylamine, dimethylammonium, potassium and sodium salts thereof), I + diclosulam, I + diflufenican, I + diflufenzopyr, I + dimethachlor, I + dimethenamid-P, I + diquat dibromide, I + diuron, I + epyrifenacil, I + ethalfluralin, I + ethofumesate, I + fenoxaprop (including fenoxaprop-P-ethyl), I + fenoxasulfone, I + fenquinotrione, I + fentrazamide, I + flazasulfuron, I + florasulam, I + florpyrauxifen (including florpyrauxifen-benzyl), I + fluazifop (including fluazifop-P-butyl), I + flucarbazone (including flucarbazone-sodium), I + flufenacet, I + flumetsulam, I + flumioxazin, I + fluometuron, I + flupyrsulfuron (including flupyrsulfuron-methyl-sodium), I + fluroxypyr (including fluroxypyr-meptyl), I + fomesafen, I + foramsulfuron, I + glufosinate (including L- glufosinate and the ammonium salts of both), I + glyphosate (including the diammonium, isopropylammonium and potassium salts thereof), I + halauxifen (including halauxifen-methyl), I + haloxyfop (including haloxyfop-methyl), I + hexazinone, I + hydantocidin, I + imazamox (including R- imazamox), I + imazapic, I + imazapyr, I + imazethapyr, I + indaziflam, I + iodosulfuron (including iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium), I + iofensulfuron (including iofensulfuron- sodium), I + ioxynil, I + isoproturon, I + isoxaflutole, I + lancotrione, I + MCPA, I + MCPB, I + mecoprop- P, I + mesosulfuron (including mesosulfuron-methyl), I + mesotrione, I + metamitron, I + metazachlor, I + methiozolin, I + metolachlor, I + metosulam, I + metribuzin, I + metsulfuron, I + napropamide, I + nicosulfuron, I + norflurazon, I + oxadiazon, I + oxasulfuron, I + oxyfluorfen, I + paraquat dichloride, I + pendimethalin, I + penoxsulam, I + phenmedipham, I + picloram, I + pinoxaden, I + pretilachlor, I + primisulfuron-methyl, I + prometryne, I + propanil, I + propaquizafop, I + propyrisulfuron, I + propyzamide, I + prosulfocarb, I + prosulfuron, I + pyraclonil, I + pyraflufen (including pyraflufen-ethyl), I + pyrasulfotole, I + pyridate, I + pyriftalid, I + pyrimisulfan, I + pyroxasulfone, I + pyroxsulam, I + quinclorac, I + quinmerac, I + quizalofop (including quizalofop-P-ethyl and quizalofop-P-tefuryl), I + rimsulfuron, I + saflufenacil, I + sethoxydim, I + simazine, I + S-metalochlor, I + sulfentrazone, I + sulfosulfuron, I + tebuthiuron, I + tefuryltrione, I + tembotrione, I + terbuthylazine, I + terbutryn, I + tetflupyrolimet, I + thiencarbazone, I + thifensulfuron, I + tiafenacil, I + tolpyralate, I + topramezone, I + tralkoxydim, I + triafamone, I + triallate, I + triasulfuron, I + tribenuron (including tribenuron-methyl), I + triclopyr, I + trifloxysulfuron (including trifloxysulfuron-sodium), I + trifludimoxazin, I + trifluralin, I + triflusulfuron, I + 3-(2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-(3-methyl-2,6-dioxo-4-trifluoromethyl -3,6-dihydropyrimidin- 1 (2H)-yl)phenyl)-5-methyl-4,5-dihydroisoxazole-5-carboxylic acid ethyl ester, I + 4-hydroxy-1-methoxy-

5-methyl-3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridyl]imidazolidin-2- one, I + 4-hydroxy-1 ,5-dimethyl-3-[4-

(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridyl]imidazolidin-2-one, I + 5-ethoxy-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-2- pyridyl]imidazolidin-2-one, I + 4-hydroxy-1-methyl-3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridyl]imidazol idin-2-one, I + 4-hydroxy-1 ,5-dimethyl-3-[1-methyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazol-3-yl]imid azolidin-2-one, I + (4R)1-(5-tert- butylisoxazol-3-yl)-4-ethoxy-5-hydroxy-3-methyl-imidazolidin -2-one, I + 3-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-6- methyl-3-oxo-pyridazine-4-carbonyl]bicyclo[3.2.1]octane-2,4- dione, I + 2-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-6- methyl-3-oxo-pyridazine-4-carbonyl]-5-methyl-cyclohexane-1 ,3-dione, I + 2-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-

6-methyl-3-oxo-pyridazine-4-carbonyl]cyclohexane-1 ,3-dione, I + 2-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-6-methyl-

3-oxo-pyridazine-4-carbonyl]-5,5-dimethyl-cyclohexane-1 ,3-dione, I + 6-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-6- methyl-3-oxo-pyridazine-4-carbonyl]-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-cycl ohexane-1 ,3,5-trione, I + 2-[2-(3,4- dimethoxyphenyl)-6-methyl-3-oxo-pyridazine-4-carbonyl]-5-eth yl-cyclohexane-1 ,3-dione, I + 2-[2-(3,4- dimethoxyphenyl)-6-methyl-3-oxo-pyridazine-4-carbonyl]-4,4,6 ,6-tetramethyl-cyclohexane-1 ,3-dione, I + 2-[6-cyclopropyl-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-oxo-pyridazine-4- carbonyl]-5-methyl-cyclohexane-1 ,3- dione, I + 3-[6-cyclopropyl-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-oxo-pyridazine-4- carbonyl]bicyclo[3.2.1]octane-

2.4-dione, I + 2-[6-cyclopropyl-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-oxo-pyridazine-4- carbonyl]-5,5-dimethyl- cyclohexane-1 ,3-dione, I + 6-[6-cyclopropyl-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-oxo-pyridazine-4- carbonyl]-

2.2.4.4-tetramethyl-cyclohexane-1 ,3,5-trione, I + 2-[6-cyclopropyl-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-oxo- pyridazine-4-carbonyl]cyclohexane-1 ,3-dione, I + 4-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-6-methyl-3-oxo- pyridazine-4-carbonyl]-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-tetrahydropyran-3 ,5-dione, I + 4-[6-cyclopropyl-2-(3,4- dimethoxyphenyl)-3-oxo-pyridazine-4-carbonyl]-2,2,6,6-tetram ethyl-tetrahydropyran-3,5-dione, I + 4- amino-3-chloro-5-fluoro-6-(7-fluoro-1 H-indol-6-yl)pyridine-2-carboxylic acid (including agrochemically acceptable esters thereof, for example, methyl 4-amino-3-chloro-5- fluoro-6-(7-fluoro-1 H-indol-6-yl)pyridine-2-carboxylate, prop-2-ynyl 4-amino-3-chloro-5-fluoro-6-(7- fluoro-1 H-indol-6-yl)pyridine-2-carboxylate and cyanomethyl 4-amino-3-chloro-5-fluoro-6-(7-fluoro-1 H- indol-6-yl)pyridine-2-carboxylate), I + 3-ethylsulfanyl-N-(1 ,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)- [1 ,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine-8-carboxamide, I + 3-(isopropylsulfanylmethyl)-N-(5-methyl-1 ,3,4- oxadiazol-2-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-[1 ,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine-8-carboxamide, I + 3-

(isopropylsulfonylmethyl)-N-(5-methyl-1 ,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-[1 ,2,4]triazolo[4,3- a]pyridine-8-carboxamide, I + 3-(ethylsulfonylmethyl)-N-(5-methyl-1 ,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)-5- (trifluoromethyl)-[1 ,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine-8-carboxamide, I + ethyl 2-[[3-[[3-chloro-5-fluoro-6-[3- methyl-2,6-dioxo-4-(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidin-1-yl]-2-pyridy l]oxy]acetate, I + 6-chloro-4-(2,7-dimethyl-1- naphthyl)-5-hydroxy-2-methyl-pyridazin-3-one, I + 1-[2-chloro-6-(5-chloropyrimidin-2-yl)oxy-phenyl]-

4.4.4-trifluoro-butan-1-one and I + 5-[2-chloro-6-(5-chloropyrimidin-2-yl)oxy-phenyl]-3-

(difluoromethyl)isoxazole.

The mixing partners of the compound of formula (I) may also be in the form of esters or salts, as mentioned e.g. in The Pesticide Manual, Fourteenth Edition, British Crop Protection Council, 2006.

The compound of formula (I) can also be used in mixtures with other agrochemicals such as fungicides, nematicides or insecticides, examples of which are given in The Pesticide Manual.

The mixing ratio of the compound of formula (I) to the mixing partner is preferably from 1 : 100 to 1000:1 .

The mixtures can advantageously be used in the above-mentioned formulations (in which case "active ingredient" relates to the respective mixture of compound of formula (I) with the mixing partner).

Compounds of formula (I) of the present invention may also be combined with herbicide safeners. Preferred combinations (wherein Ί” represents a compound of formula (I)) include:- I + benoxacor, I + cloquintocet (including cloquintocet-mexyl); I + cyprosulfamide; I + dichlormid; I + fenchlorazole (including fenchlorazole-ethyl); I + fenclorim; I + fluxofenim; l+ furilazole I + isoxadifen (including isoxadifen-ethyl); I + mefenpyr (including mefenpyr-diethyl); I + metcamifen; I + N-(2-methoxybenzoyl)- 4-[(methylaminocarbonyl)amino] benzenesulfonamide and I + oxabetrinil.

Particularly preferred are mixtures of a compound of formula (I) with cyprosulfamide, isoxadifen (including isoxadifen-ethyl), cloquintocet (including cloquintocet-mexyl) and/or N-(2-methoxybenzoyl)-4- [(methyl-aminocarbonyl)amino]benzenesulfonamide.

The safeners of the compound of formula (I) may also be in the form of esters or salts, as mentioned e.g. in The Pesticide Manual, 14 ^th Edition (BCPC), 2006. The reference to cloquintocet-mexyl also applies to a lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, iron, ammonium, quaternary ammonium, sulfonium or phosphonium salt thereof as disclosed in WO 02/34048, and the reference to fenchlorazole-ethyl also applies to fenchlorazole, etc.

Preferably the mixing ratio of compound of formula (I) to safener is from 100:1 to 1 :10, especially from 20:1 to 1 :1.

The mixtures can advantageously be used in the above-mentioned formulations (in which case "active ingredient" relates to the respective mixture of compound of formula (I) with the safener).

The compounds of formula (I) of this invention are useful as herbicides. The present invention therefore further comprises a method for controlling unwanted plants comprising applying to the said plants or a locus comprising them, an effective amount of a compound of the invention or a herbicidal composition containing said compound. ‘Controlling’ means killing, reducing or retarding growth or preventing or reducing germination. Generally the plants to be controlled are unwanted plants (weeds). ‘Locus’ means the area in which the plants are growing or will grow.

The rates of application of compounds of formula (I) may vary within wide limits and depend on the nature of the soil, the method of application (pre-emergence; post-emergence; application to the seed furrow; no tillage application etc.), the crop plant, the weed(s) to be controlled, the prevailing climatic conditions, and other factors governed by the method of application, the time of application and the target crop. The compounds of formula (I) according to the invention are generally applied at a rate of from 10 to 2000 g/ha, especially from 50 to 1000 g/ha.

The application is generally made by spraying the composition, typically by tractor mounted sprayer for large areas, but other methods such as dusting (for powders), drip or drench can also be used.

Useful plants in which the composition according to the invention can be used include crops such as cereals, for example barley and wheat, cotton, oilseed rape, sunflower, maize, rice, soybeans, sugar beet, sugar cane and turf. Crop plants can also include trees, such as fruit trees, palm trees, coconut trees or other nuts. Also included are vines such as grapes, fruit bushes, fruit plants and vegetables.

Crops are to be understood as also including those crops which have been rendered tolerant to herbicides or classes of herbicides (e.g. ALS-, GS-, EPSPS-, PPO-, ACCase- and HPPD-inhibitors) by conventional methods of breeding or by genetic engineering. An example of a crop that has been rendered tolerant to imidazolinones, e.g. imazamox, by conventional methods of breeding is Clearfield® summer rape (canola). Examples of crops that have been rendered tolerant to herbicides by genetic engineering methods include e.g. glyphosate- and glufosinate-resistant maize varieties commercially available under the trade names RoundupReady® and LibertyLink®.

Crops are also to be understood as being those which have been rendered resistant to harmful insects by genetic engineering methods, for example Bt maize (resistant to European corn borer), Bt cotton (resistant to cotton boll weevil) and also Bt potatoes (resistant to Colorado beetle). Examples of Bt maize are the Bt 176 maize hybrids of NK® (Syngenta Seeds). The Bt toxin is a protein that is formed naturally by Bacillus thuringiensis soil bacteria. Examples of toxins, or transgenic plants able to synthesise such toxins, are described in EP-A-451 878, EP-A-374 753, WO 93/07278, WO 95/34656, WO 03/052073 and EP-A-427 529. Examples of transgenic plants comprising one or more genes that code for an insecticidal resistance and express one or more toxins are KnockOut® (maize), Yield Gard® (maize), NuCOTIN33B® (cotton), Bollgard® (cotton), NewLeaf® (potatoes), NatureGard® and Protexcta®. Plant crops or seed material thereof can be both resistant to herbicides and, at the same time, resistant to insect feeding ("stacked" transgenic events). For example, seed can have the ability to express an insecticidal Cry3 protein while at the same time being tolerant to glyphosate.

Crops are also to be understood to include those which are obtained by conventional methods of breeding or genetic engineering and contain so-called output traits (e.g. improved storage stability, higher nutritional value and improved flavour).

Other useful plants include turf grass for example in golf-courses, lawns, parks and roadsides, or grown commercially for sod, and ornamental plants such as flowers or bushes.

Compounds of formula (I) and compositions of the invention can typically be used to control a wide variety of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weed species. Examples of monocotyledonous species that can typically be controlled include Alopecurus myosuroides, Avena fatua, Brachiaria plantaginea, Bromus tectorum, Cyperus esculentus, Digitaria sanguinalis, Echinochloa crus-galli, Lolium perenne, Lolium multiflorum, Panicum miliaceum, Poa annua, Setaria viridis, Setaria faberi and Sorghum bicolor. Examples of dicotyledonous species that can be controlled include Abutilon theophrasti, Amaranthus retroflexus, Bidens pilosa, Chenopodium album, Euphorbia heterophylla, Galium aparine, Ipomoea hederacea, Kochia scoparia, Polygonum convolvulus, Sida spinosa, Sinapis arvensis, Solan um nigrum, Stellaria media, Veronica persica and Xanthium strumarium. The compounds of formula (I) are also useful for pre-harvest desiccation in crops, for example, but not limited to, potatoes, soybean, sunflowers and cotton. Pre-harvest desiccation is used to desiccate crop foliage without significant damage to the crop itself to aid harvesting. Compounds/compositions of the invention are particularly useful in non-selective burn-down applications, and as such may also be used to control volunteer or escape crop plants.

Various aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be illustrated in more detail by way of example. It will be appreciated that modification of detail may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES

The Examples which follow serve to illustrate, but do not limit, the invention.

Formulation Examples

Wettable powders a) b) c) active ingredients 25 % 50 % 75 % sodium lignosulfonate 5 % 5 % sodium lauryl sulfate 3 % 5 % sodium diisobutylnaphthalenesulfonate 6 % 10 % phenol polyethylene glycol ether 2 %

(7-8 mol of ethylene oxide) highly dispersed silicic acid 5 % 10 % 10 %

Kaolin 62 % 27 %

The combination is thoroughly mixed with the adjuvants and the mixture is thoroughly ground in a suitable mill, affording wettable powders that can be diluted with water to give suspensions of the desired concentration.

Emulsifiable concentrate active ingredients 10 % octylphenol polyethylene glycol ether 3 %

(4-5 mol of ethylene oxide) calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate 3 % castor oil polyglycol ether (35 mol of ethylene oxide) 4 %

Cyclohexanone 30 % xylene mixture 50 %

Emulsions of any required dilution, which can be used in plant protection, can be obtained from this concentrate by dilution with water. Dusts a) b) c)

Active ingredients 5 % 6 % 4 %

Talcum 95 %

Kaolin - 94 % mineral filler - - 96 %

Ready-for-use dusts are obtained by mixing the combination with the carrier and grinding the mixture in a suitable mill.

Extruder granules

Active ingredients 15 % sodium lignosulfonate 2 % carboxymethylcellulose 1 %

Kaolin 82 %

The combination is mixed and ground with the adjuvants, and the mixture is moistened with water. The mixture is extruded and then dried in a stream of air.

Coated granules

Active ingredients 8 % polyethylene glycol (mol. wt. 200) 3 %

Kaolin 89 %

The finely ground combination is uniformly applied, in a mixer, to the kaolin moistened with polyethylene glycol. Non-dusty coated granules are obtained in this manner.

Suspension concentrate active ingredients 40 % propylene glycol 10 % nonylphenol polyethylene glycol ether (15 mol of ethylene oxide) 6 %

Sodium lignosulfonate 10 % carboxymethylcellulose 1 % silicone oil (in the form of a 75 % emulsion in water) 1 %

Water 32 %

The finely ground combination is intimately mixed with the adjuvants, giving a suspension concentrate from which suspensions of any desired dilution can be obtained by dilution with water. Slow Release Capsule Suspension

28 parts of the combination are mixed with 2 parts of an aromatic solvent and 7 parts of toluene diisocyanate/polymethylene-polyphenylisocyanate-mixture (8:1). This mixture is emulsified in a mixture of 1 .2 parts of polyvinylalcohol, 0.05 parts of a defoamer and 51 .6 parts of water until the desired particle size is achieved. To this emulsion a mixture of 2.8 parts 1 ,6-diaminohexane in 5.3 parts of water is added. The mixture is agitated until the polymerization reaction is completed. The obtained capsule suspension is stabilized by adding 0.25 parts of a thickener and 3 parts of a dispersing agent. The capsule suspension formulation contains 28% of the active ingredients. The medium capsule diameter is 8-15 microns.

The resulting formulation is applied to seeds as an aqueous suspension in an apparatus suitable for that purpose.

List of Abbreviations:

Boc = fe/f-butyloxycarbonyl br = broad

CDCh = chloroform-d

CD3OD = methanol-d

°C = degrees Celsius

D2O = water-d

DCM = dichloromethane d = doublet dd = double doublet dt = double triplet

DMSO = dimethylsulfoxide

EtOAc = ethyl acetate h = hour(s)

HCI = hydrochloric acid

HPLC = high-performance liquid chromatography (description of the apparatus and the methods used for HPLC are given below) m = multiplet

M = molar min = minutes

MHz = mega hertz mL = millilitre mp = melting point ppm = parts per million q = quartet quin = quintet rt = room temperature s = singlet t = triplet

THF = tetrahydrofuran

LC/MS = Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry

Analyticals were run on a Waters ACQUITY UPLC-MS using a Sample Organizer with Sample Manager FTN+, H-class QSM, Column Manager, 2 x Column Manager Aux, photodiode array, ELSD (Wavelength range (nm): 210 to 400) and SQD 2.

Ionisation method: Electrospray positive and negative: Capillary (kV) 3.0, Cone (V) 35.0, Source Temperature (°C) 150, Cone Gas Flow (L/Hr.) 10, Desolvation Gas Flow (L/Hr.) 500.

Mass range (Da): positive 95 to 800, negative 115 to 800.

Injection volume 1 ul in acetonitrile for columns.

Column

Waters ACQUITY UPLC HSS T3 1 .8pm 2.1x50mm

Columns used the following gradient at 40°C.

Solvent A: H ₂ 0 with 0.05% TFA, Solvent B: CFhCN with 0.05% TFA

Preparative Reverse Phase HPLC Method:

Compounds purified by mass directed preparative HPLC using ES+/ES- on a Waters FractionLynx Autopurification system comprising a 2767 injector/collector with a 2545 gradient pump, two 515 isocratic pumps, SFO, 2998 photodiode array (Wavelength range (nm): 210 to 400), 2424 ELSD and QDa mass spectrometer. A Waters Atlantis T3 5micron 19x10mm guard column was used with a Waters Atlantis T3 OBD, 5micron 30x100mm prep column.

Ionisation method: Electrospray positive and negative: Cone (V) 20.00, Source Temperature (°C) 120, Cone Gas Flow (L/Hr.) 50

Mass range (Da): positive 100 to 800, negative 115 to 800.

The preparative HPLC was conducted using an 11.4 minute run time (not using at column dilution, bypassed with the column selector), according to the following gradient table:

515 pump Oml/min Acetonitrile (ACD)

515 pump 1 ml/min 90% Methanol/10% Water (make up pump) Solvent A: Water with 0.05% Trifluoroacetic Acid Solvent B: Acetonitrile with 0.05% Trifluoroacetic Acid

Preparation Examples

Example-1 : Preparation of 3-[4-([1 ,2.41triazolo[3.4-b1H ,3.41thiadiazol-6-yl)Pyridin-1-ium-1-yllpropanoic

Step 1 : Preparation of 4-amino-1 H-1 ,2,4-triazole-5-thione

To a solution of 1 ,3-diaminothiourea (2 g) in water (6 mL) was added formic acid (1.1 g) at room temperature. The resulting mixture was heated at 100°C for 4 hours, then allowed to stand at room temperature for 24 hours. The precipitate was filtered off and dried under vacuum to give 4-amino- 1 H-1 ,2,4-triazole-5-thione as an off-white solid.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-de) 13.68 (br. s, 1 H) 8.45 (s, 1 H) 5.68 (s, 2H)

Step 2: Preparation of 6-(4-pyridyl)-[1 ,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1 ,3,4]thiadiazole

To a solution of 4-amino-1 H-1 ,2,4-triazole-5-thione (0.5 g) in phosphorous oxychloride (8.22 g) was added isonicotinic acid (0.52 g) at room temperature. The resulting mixture was heated at 120°C for 6 hours. The reaction mass was cooled to room temperature, concentrated to give a residue which was basified with 2N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated to give 6-(4-pyridyl)-[1 ,2,4]triazolo[3,4- b][1 ,3,4]thiadiazole.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, CD ₃ OD) 7.92 (s, 1 H) 7.19 - 7.28 (m, 2H) 6.32 - 6.54 (m, 2H)

Step 3: Preparation of 3-[4-([1 ,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1 ,3,4]thiadiazol-6-yl) pyridin-1 -ium-1 -yl]propanoic acid 2,2,2-trifluoroacetate A1

To a solution of 6-(4-pyridyl)-[1 ,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1 ,3,4]thiadiazole (0.2 g) in acetonitrile (2 ml_) was added 3-bromopropanoic acid (0.15 g) and the mixture was heated at 70°C for 70 hours. The reaction mass was concentrated, triturated with methyl tert-butyl ether and purified by preparative reverse phase HPLC (trifluoroacetic acid was present in the eluent) to give 3-[4-([1 ,2,4]triazolo[3,4- b][1 ,3,4]thiadiazol-6-yl)pyridin-1 -ium-1 -yl]propanoic acid 2,2,2-trifluoroacetate as a white solid.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, D2O) 9.44 (s, 1 H) 9.16 (d, 2H) 8.60 (d, 2H) 4.96 (t, 2H) 3.20 (t, 2H) (CO2H proton missing)

Example 2: Preparation of 3-(4-imidazo[2,1-b1[1 ,3.41thiadiazol-2-ylpyridin-1 -ium-1 -vDpropanoic acid chloride A2

Step 1 : Preparation of 5-(4-pyridyl)-1 ,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine

A mixture of 4-cyanopyridine (5 g), trifluoroacetic acid (50 mL) and aminothiourea (4.81 g) was heated at 100°C for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated and the resulting residue was poured into diluted aqueous ammonia solution (500 mL) and stirred for 2 hours at room temperature. The resulting precipitate was filtered off and dried to give 5-(4-pyridyl)-1 ,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine as a yellow solid.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, D2O) 8.66 - 8.65 (d, 2H), 7.73 (s, 2H), 7.73 - 7.72 (d, 2H)

Step 2: Preparation of 2-(4-pyridyl)imidazo[2,1-b][1 ,3,4]thiadiazole To a mixture of 5-(4-pyridyl)-1 ,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (5 g) in water (200 mL) was added 2- chloroacetaldehyde (45% in water, 7.11 mL) at room temperature. The reaction mixture was diluted with n-butanol (30 mL) and the resulting mixture was heated at 100°C for 60 hours. The mixture was cooled and basified with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (300 mL). The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (2x250 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (300 mL), dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated. The resulting residue was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with a mixture of ethyl acetate and hexanes to give 2-(4-pyridyl)imidazo[2,1- b][1 ,3,4]thiadiazole as a dark brown solid.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-de) 8.82 - 8.81 (d, 2H), 8.32 - 8.31 (d, 1 H), 7.91 - 7.90 (d, 2H), 7.43 - 7.43 (d, 1 H)

Step 3: Preparation of methyl 3-(4-imidazo[2,1-b][1 ,3,4]thiadiazol-2-ylpyridin-1-ium-1-yl)propanoate 2,2,2-trifluoroacetate A3

To a mixture of 2-(4-pyridyl)imidazo[2,1-b][1 ,3,4]thiadiazole (0.5 g), tetrahydrofuran (5 ml_) and acetonitrile (5 mL) was added methyl 3-bromopropionate (0.413 g) at room temperature. The reaction mixture was heated at 65°C for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated, diluted with water (50 mL) and washed with dichloromethane (2x50 mL). The aqueous layer was concentrated and purified by reverse phase HPLC eluting with a mixture of water and acetonitrile (trifluoroacetic acid was present in the eluent) to give methyl 3-(4-imidazo[2,1-b][1 ,3,4]thiadiazol-2-ylpyridin-1 -ium-1 - yl)propanoate 2,2,2-trifluoroacetate as a brown solid.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, D ₂ 0) 9.11 (br d, 2H), 8.56 (br d, 2H), 8.32 (d, 1 H), 7.78 (d, 1 H), 4.90 (br t, 2H), 3.57 (s, 3H), 3.16 (br t, 2H)

Step 4: Preparation of 3-(4-imidazo[2,1-b][1 ,3,4]thiadiazol-2-ylpyridin-1-ium-1-yl)propanoic acid chloride A2

A mixture of methyl 3-(4-imidazo[2,1-b][1 ,3,4]thiadiazol-2-ylpyridin-1-ium-1-yl)propanoate 2,2,2- trifluoroacetate (0.25 g) and 6M aqueous hydrochloric acid (2 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was diluted with water (50 mL) and washed with dichloromethane (2x20 mL). The aqueous layer was concentrated to give 3-(4-imidazo[2,1-b][1 ,3,4]thiadiazol-2- ylpyridin-1-ium-1-yl)propanoic acid chloride as a pale brown solid.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, D ₂ 0) 9.09 (d, 2H), 8.53 (d, 2H), 8.26 - 8.19 (m, 1 H), 7.70 - 7.63 (m, 1 H), 4.88 (t, 2H), 3.15 (t, 2H) (CO2H proton missing)

Example 3: Preparation of 3-[4-(6-methyl-[1 ,2.41triazolo[5.1-b1H ,3.41thiadiazol-2-yl)pyridin-1-ium-1- yllpropanoic acid bromide A5

Step 1 : Preparation of N-[5-(4-pyridyl)-1 ,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]acetamidine

A mixture of 5-(4-pyridyl)-1 ,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (5.5 g), ethanol (100 mL) and ethyl ethanimidate hydrochloride (8.47 g) was stirred at room temperature for 6 days. The reaction mixture was concentrated and the resulting residue was poured into dilute aqueous ammonia solution (500 mL) and stirred for 2 hours at room temperature. The resulting precipitate was filtered off and dried to give N-[5-(4-pyridyl)-1 ,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]acetamidine as an off-white solid, which was used without further purification.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-de) 8.85 (s, 1 H), 8.75 (s, 1 H), 8.71 - 8.70 (dd, 2H), 7.81 - 7.80 (dd, 2H), 2.11 (s, 3H)

Step 2: Preparation of 6-methyl-2-(4-pyridyl)-[1 ,2,4]triazolo[5,1-b][1 ,3,4]thiadiazole

To a solution of N-[5-(4-pyridyl)-1 ,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]acetamidine (2.8 g) in DMSO (20 mL) at room temperature was added potassium iodide (3.02 g), iodine (3.69 g) and potassium carbonate (5.03 g). The resulting reaction mixture was heated at 100°C for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and quenched with 5% aqueous sodium thiosulfate (50 mL) and extracted with ethyl acetate (2x250 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated. The resulting residue was purified by chromatography on silica eluting with a mixture of ethyl acetate in hexanes to give 6-methyl-2-(4-pyridyl)-[1 ,2,4]triazolo[5,1-b][1 ,3,4]thiadiazole as a white solid.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-de) 8.84 - 8.82 (d, 2H), 7.79 - 7.77 (m, 2H), 2.60 (s, 3H)

Step 3: Preparation of 3-[4-(6-methyl-[1 ,2,4]triazolo[5,1-b][1 ,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)pyridin-1 -ium-1 - yljpropanoic acid bromide A5

A mixture of 6-methyl-2-(4-pyridyl)-[1 ,2,4]triazolo[5,1-b][1 ,3,4]thiadiazole (0.7 g) and 3-bromopropionic acid (0.394 g) in tetrahydrofuran (25 mL) was heated at 85°C for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated, diluted with water (50 mL) and washed with dichloromethane (2x50 mL). The aqueous layer was concentrated and purified by reverse phase HPLC eluting with a mixture of water and acetonitrile to give 3-[4-(6-methyl-[1 ,2,4]triazolo[5,1-b][1 ,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)pyridin-1 -ium-1 - yljpropanoic acid bromide as an off-white solid.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, D ₂ 0) 9.10 (d, 2H), 8.56 (d, 2H), 4.92 (t, 2H), 3.16 (t, 2H), 2.53 (s, 3H) (CO2H proton missing)

Example 4: Preparation of 3-[4-(1-methyl-[1 ,2,41triazolo[5.1-c1[1 ,2.41triazol-6-yl)pyridin-1-ium-1- yllpropanoic acid bromide A6

Step 1 : Preparation of N-(5-thioxo-1H-1 ,2,4-triazol-4-yl)pyridine-4-carboxamidine

To a mixture of 4-amino-1H-1 ,2,4-triazole-5-thione (2 g) in f-butanol (50.0 mL) was added 4- cyanopyridine (2.15 g) and potassium f-butoxide (3.86 g) at room temperature. The mixture was heated at 90°C for 16 hours. The resulting white precipitate was filtered off, dissolved in water (50 mL) and neutralised with 1M aqueous hydrochloric acid (50 mL). The precipitate was filtered off and dried under vacuum to give N-(5-thioxo-1H-1 ,2,4-triazol-4-yl)pyridine-4-carboxamidine as a white solid, which was used without further purification. Step 2: Preparation of N-(3-methylsulfanyl-1 ,2,4-triazol-4-yl)pyridine-4-carboxamidine

To a mixture of N-(5-thioxo-1 H-1 ,2,4-triazol-4-yl)pyridine-4-carboxamidine (1 .5 g) in water (20 mL) was added sodium hydroxide (0.311 g) followed by iodomethane (0.919 g). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. The solid was filtered off and dried under vacuum to give N-(3- methylsulfanyl-1 ,2,4-triazol-4-yl)pyridine-4-carboxamidine as a white solid.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-de) 8.74 - 8.73 (dd, 2H), 8.53 (s, 1 H), 7.84 - 7.82 (dd, 2H), 7.71 (s, 2H),

2.57 (s, 3H)

Step 3: Preparation of 6-(4-pyridyl)-1 H-[1 ,2,4]triazolo[4,3-b][1 ,2,4]triazole

A microwave vial was charged with N-(3-methylsulfanyl-1 ,2,4-triazol-4-yl)pyridine-4-carboxamidine (1 g) and N,N-dimethylacetamide (1 mL). The mixture was heated at 180°C under microwave irradiation for 2 hours. The resulting solid was filtered off and dried under vacuum to give 6-(4-pyridyl)-1 H- [1 ,2,4]triazolo[4,3-b][1 ,2,4]triazole as a yellow solid.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-de) 13.93 (s, 1 H), 9.14 (s, 1 H), 8.72 - 8.71 (dd, 2H), 7.98 - 7.97 (dd, 2H) Step 4: Preparation of 1-methyl-6-(4-pyridyl)-[1 ,2,4]triazolo[5,1-c][1 ,2,4]triazole

To a mixture of 6-(4-pyridyl)-1 H-[1 ,2,4]triazolo[4,3-b][1 ,2,4]triazole (0.4 g) in acetonitrile (10 mL) was added potassium carbonate (0.423 g) followed by iodomethane (0.304 g). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into water and extracted with ethyl acetate (2x30 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (25 mL), dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated. The resulting residue was purified by chromatography on silica eluting with a mixture of methanol in dichloromethane to give 1-methyl-6-(4-pyridyl)-[1 ,2,4]triazolo[5,1- c][1 ,2,4]triazole as a pale yellow solid.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-de) 9.16 (s, 1 H) 8.73 - 8.71 (dd, 2H), 7.98 - 7.97 (dd, 2H), 3.92 (s, 3H)

Step 5: Preparation of 3-[4-(1-methyl-[1 ,2,4]triazolo[5,1-c][1 ,2,4]triazol-6-yl) pyridin-1 -ium-1 - yl]propanoic acid bromide A6

A mixture of 1-methyl-6-(4-pyridyl)-[1 ,2,4]triazolo[5,1-c][1 ,2,4]triazole (0.15 g) and 3-bromopropionic acid (0.218 g) in 1 ,4-dioxane (5 mL) was heated at 100°C for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated, diluted with water (10 mL) and washed with dichloromethane (2x20 mL). The aqueous layer was concentrated and purified by reverse phase HPLC eluting with a mixture of water and acetonitrile to give 3-[4-(1-methyl-[1 ,2,4]triazolo[5,1-c][1 ,2,4]triazol-6-yl)pyridin-1 -ium-1 -yl]propanoic acid bromide as a white solid. Ή NMR (400 MHz, D ₂ 0) 9.00 (d, 2H), 8.75 (s, 1 H), 8.56 (d, 2H), 4.89 (t, 2H), 3.95 (s, 3H), 3.18 (t, 2H) (CO2H proton missing)

Example 5: Preparation of 3-(4-thiazolo[5,4-d1thiazol-5-ylpyridin-1 -ium-1 -vDpropanoic acid bromide A4 Step 1 : Preparation of tert-butyl N-(4-bromothiazol-5-yl)carbamate

To a solution of tert-butyl N-thiazol-5-ylcarbamate (4.5 g) in A/,A/-dimethylformamide (50 mL) was added N-bromosuccinimide (3.6 g) and the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15 minutes. Water (100 mL) was added and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (2x75 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (100 mL), dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica eluting with a mixture of ethyl acetate in hexanes to give tert-butyl N-(4-bromothiazol-5-yl)carbamate as a white solid.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-de) 9.96 (s, 1 H), 8.74 (s, 1 H), 1.47 (s, 9H) Step 2: Preparation of 4-bromothiazol-5-amine To a mixture of tert-butyl N-(4-bromothiazol-5-yl)carbamate (3 g) in trifluroethanol (30 ml_) was added chlorotrimethylsilane (2.63 ml_) at room temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. Water (50 ml_) was added and the mixture was basified with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (20 ml_). The aqueous was extracted with ethyl acetate (3x50 ml_) and the combined organic layers were washed with water (50 ml_), brine (50 ml_), dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated to give 4-bromothiazol-5-amine as a brown solid.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, CDCb) 8.09 (s, 1 H)

Step 3: Preparation of N-(4-bromothiazol-5-yl)pyridine-4-carbothioamide

To a mixture of 4-bromothiazol-5-amine (1.5 g) and methyl pyridine-4-carbodithioate (2.13 g) in acetonitrile (20 ml_) was added cesium carbonate (3.89 g) at room temperature. The reaction mixture was heated at 100°C for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was filtered through celite and the filtrate was concentrated to give N-(4-bromothiazol-5-yl)pyridine-4-carbothioamide as a brown solid, which was used without further purification.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-de) 9.45 (s, 1 H), 8.80 - 8.79 (m, 3H), 7.99 - 7.98 (d, 2H)

Step 4: Preparation of 5-(4-pyridyl)thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole

To a solution of N-(4-bromothiazol-5-yl)pyridine-4-carbothioamide (1.2 g) in A/,A/-dimethylformamide (15 ml_) was added copper iodide (0.722 g) at room temperature. The reaction mixture was heated at 100°C for 1 hour then filtered through celite. The filtrate was concentrated and the residue was purified by chromatography on silica eluting with a mixture of ethyl acetate in hexanes to give 5-(4- pyridyl)thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole as a brown solid.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-de) 9.45 (s, 1 H), 8.80 - 8.75 (m, 2H), 8.00 - 7.96 (m, 2H) Step 5: Preparation of 3-(4-thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazol-5-ylpyridin-1-ium-1-yl)propanoic acid bromide A4

A mixture of 5-(4-pyridyl)thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole (0.19 g) and 3-bromopropionic acid (0.178 g) in acetonitrile (20 ml_) was heated at 100°C for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated, diluted with water (25 ml_) and washed with dichloromethane (2x25 ml_). The aqueous layer was concentrated and purified by reverse phase HPLC eluting with water to give 3-(4-thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazol- 5-ylpyridin-1-ium-1-yl)propanoic acid bromide as a brown solid.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, D ₂ 0) 9.23 (s, 1 H), 8.89 (d, 2H), 8.44 (d, 2H), 4.79 (t, 2H), 3.07 (t, 2H) (CO2H proton missing)

Example 6: Preparation of 3-(4-thiazolo[5,4-d1thiadiazol-5-ylpyridin-1-ium-1-yl)propan oic acid chloride A9

Step 1 : Preparation of tert-butyl N-(thiadiazol-5-yl)carbamate

To a solution of 1 ,2,3-thiadiazol-5-amine (3 g) in dichloromethane (30 ml_), at room temperature, was added di-fe/f-butyl dicarbonate (8.52 ml_), triethylamine (8.58 ml_) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (0.362 g). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours then concentrated and the residue was purified by chromatography on silica eluting with a mixture of ethyl acetate in hexanes to give tert-butyl N-(thiadiazol-5-yl)carbamate as a white solid.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-de) 11 .71 (s, 1 H), 9.41 (s, 1 H), 1 .50 (s, 9H)

Step 2: Preparation of tert-butyl N-(4-bromothiadiazol-5-yl)carbamate

To a solution of tert-butyl N-(thiadiazol-5-yl)carbamate (2 g) in A/,A/-dimethylformamide (20 ml_) was added N-bromosuccinimide (1 .91 g) and the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. Water (50 mL) was added and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (2x50 ml_). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (100 mL), dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica eluting with a mixture of ethyl acetate in hexanes to give tert-butyl N-(4-bromothiadiazol-5-yl)carbamate as a white solid, which was used without further purification.

Step 3: Preparation of 4-bromothiadiazol-5-amine

To a mixture of tert-butyl N-(4-bromothiadiazol-5-yl)carbamate (1 .3 g) in trifluroethanol (20 mL) was added chlorotrimethylsilane (0.567 mL) at room temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. Water (50 mL) was added and the mixture was basified with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (20 mL). The aqueous was extracted with ethyl acetate (3x50 mL) and the combined organic layers were washed with water (50 mL), brine (50 mL), dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated to give 4-bromothiadiazol-5-amine as a brown solid.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-de) 7.33 (s, 2H)

Step 4: Preparation of N-(4-bromothiadiazol-5-yl)pyridine-4-carbothioamide

To a mixture of 4-bromothiadiazol-5-amine (0.5 g) and methyl pyridine-4-carbodithioate (0.705 g) in acetonitrile (10 mL) was added cesium carbonate (1 .22 g) at room temperature. The reaction mixture was heated at 100°C for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was filtered through celite and the filtrate was concentrated. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica eluting with a mixture of ethyl acetate in hexanes to give N-(4-bromothiadiazol-5-yl)pyridine-4-carbothioamide as a brown solid.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-de) 8.84 (s, 1 H), 8.56 - 8.55 (dd, 2H), 8.10 - 8.09 (dd, 2H)

Step 5: Preparation of 5-(4-pyridyl)thiazolo[5,4-d]thiadiazole To a solution of N-(4-bromothiadiazol-5-yl)pyridine-4-carbothioamide (0.5 g) in A/,A/-dimethylformamide (10 mL) was added copper iodide (0.3 g) at room temperature. The reaction mixture was heated at 120°C for 2 hours then filtered through celite. The filtrate was concentrated and the residue was purified by chromatography on silica eluting with a mixture of ethyl acetate in hexanes to give 5-(4- pyridyl)thiazolo[5,4-d]thiadiazole as a brown solid.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-de) 8.91 - 8.78 (m, 2H), 8.11 - 8.04 (m, 2H)

Step 6: Preparation of tert-butyl 3-(4-thiazolo[5,4-d]thiadiazol-5-ylpyridin-1-ium-1-yl)propan oate bromide A8

To a mixture of 5-(4-pyridyl)thiazolo[5,4-d]thiadiazole (0.12 g) and acetonitrile (5 mL), at room temperature, was added tert-butyl 3-bromopropanoate (0.13 g). The reaction mixture was heated at 80°C for 72 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated and the resulting residue was dissolved in water (25 mL) and washed with dichloromethane (2x25 mL). The aqueous layer was concentrated and the residue was purified by using reverse phase chromatography eluting with 100% water to give tert-butyl 3-(4-thiazolo[5,4-d]thiadiazol-5-ylpyridin-1-ium-1-yl)propan oate bromide as a brown solid.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, D ₂ 0) 9.09 (br d, 2H), 8.69 (d, 2H), 4.94 - 4.88 (m, 2H), 3.18 - 3.12 (m, 2H), 1 .35 (s, 9H)

Step 7: Preparation of 3-(4-thiazolo[5,4-d]thiadiazol-5-ylpyridin-1-ium-1-yl)propan oic acid chloride A9

A mixture of tert-butyl 3-(4-thiazolo[5,4-d]thiadiazol-5-ylpyridin-1-ium-1-yl)propan oate bromide (0.1 g) and 6M aqueous hydrochloric acid (3 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was diluted with water (10 mL) and washed with dichloromethane (2x20 mL). The aqueous layer was concentrated to give 3-(4-thiazolo[5,4-d]thiadiazol-5-ylpyridin-1-ium-1-yl)propan oic acid chloride as a light brown solid.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, D ₂ 0) 9.09 (d, 2H), 8.66 (d, 2H), 4.92 (t, 2H), 3.20 (t, 2H) (C0 ₂ H proton missing)

Example 7: Preparation of 2-(4-imidazo[2,1-b1[1 ,3.41thiadiazol-2-ylpyridin-1-ium-1-yl)ethanesulfonate

A7 A mixture of 2-(4-pyridyl)imidazo[2,1-b][1 ,3,4]thiadiazole (0.4 g), sodium 2-bromoethanesulfonate (0.436 g) and water (20 ml_) was heated at 100°C for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled, concentrated and the resulting residue was diluted with water (50 ml_) and washed with dichloromethane (2x50 ml_). The aqueous layer was concentrated and the residue was purified by reverse phase HPLC eluting with a mixture of water and acetonitrile to give 2-(4-imidazo[2,1- b][1 ,3,4]thiadiazol-2-ylpyridin-1-ium-1-yl)ethanesulfonate as a pale yellow solid.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, D ₂ 0) 9.09 (d, 2H), 8.56 (d, 2H), 8.29 (d, 1 H), 7.79 - 7.73 (m, 1 H), 5.08 - 4.93 (m, 2H), 3.60 - 3.46 (m, 2H)

Example 8: Preparation of 2-[4-([1 ,2.41triazolo[3.4-b1H ,3.41thiadiazol-6-yr)pyridin-1-ium-1-yl1acetic acid 2,2.2-trifluoroacetate A10

Step 1 : Preparation oftert-butyl 2-[4-([1 ,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1 ,3,4]thiadiazol-6-yl)pyridin-1 -ium-1 - yljacetate bromide A12

To a suspension of 6-(4-pyridyl)-[1 ,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1 ,3,4]thiadiazole (0.5 g) in acetonitrile (10 mL) was added tert-butyl 2-bromoacetate (0.54 mL) and the mixture was heated at 80°C for 16 hours.

After cooling the reaction mixture was concentrated and the residue was washed with tert-butyl methyl ether to give tert-butyl 2-[4-([1 ,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1 ,3,4]thiadiazol-6-yl) pyridin-1 -ium-1 -yljacetate bromide.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, D ₂ 0) 9.47 (s, 1H), 9.08 (d, 2H), 8.68 (d, 2H), 5.56 (s, 2H), 1.48 (s, 9H) Step 2: Preparation of 2-[4-([1 ,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1 ,3,4]thiadiazol-6-yl)pyridin-1 -ium-1 -yl]acetic acid 2,2,2-trifluoroacetate A10

To a mixture of tert-butyl 2-[4-([1 ,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1 ,3,4]thiadiazol-6-yl)pyridin-1 -ium-1 -yljacetate (0.75 g) and trifluoroacetic acid (2 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 12 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated and the residue was purified by reverse phase chromatography eluting with a mixture of acetonitrile and water (trifluoroacetic acid was present in the eluent) to give 2-[4- ([1 ,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1 ,3,4]thiadiazol-6-yl) pyridin-1 -ium-1 -yl]acetic acid 2,2,2-trifluoroacetate.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, D ₂ 0) 9.46 (s, 1H), 9.04 (d, 2H), 8.64 (d, 2H), 5.41 (s, 2H) (C0 ₂ H proton missing)

Example 9: Preparation of [4-([1 ,2.41triazolo[3.4-b1H ,3.41thiadiazol-6-yl)pyridin-1 -ium-1 - yllmethanesulfonate A15

A mixture of 2-[4-([1 ,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1 ,3,4]thiadiazol-6-yl)pyridin-1-ium-1-yl]acetic acid 2,2,2- trifluoroacetate (0.25 g,) and [chlorosulfonyloxy(dimethyl)silyl]methane (5 mL) was heated at 100°C for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated and the residue was purified by reverse phase chromatography eluting with a mixture of acetonitrile and water to give [4-([1 ,2,4]triazolo[3,4- b][1 ,3,4]thiadiazol-6-yl)pyridin-1-ium-1-yl]methanesulfonate.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, D ₂ 0) 9.38 (s, 1H), 9.10 (d, 2H), 8.62 (d, 2H), 5.70 (s, 2H)

Example 10: Preparation of 3-methyl-7-(4-pyridvDpyrazolo[5.1-e1tetrazole

To a solution of 2-(4-pyridyl)acetonitrile (2 g) in toluene (20 mL) was added N,N-dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal (6.72 g) and the mixture was heated at 100°C for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated to give 3-(dimethylamino)-2-(4-pyridyl)prop-2-enenitrile, which was used without further purification.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-de) 8.34 (d, 2H), 7.81 (s, 1 H), 7.27 (d, 2H), 3.22 - 3.31 (m, 6H)

Step 2: Preparation of 4-(4-pyridyl)-1 H-pyrazol-3-amine

To a solution of 3-(dimethylamino)-2-(4-pyridyl)prop-2-enenitrile (1 g) in ethanol (20 ml_) was added hydrazine monohydrochloride (0.449 g) and the mixture was heated at reflux for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated and the residue was washed with tert-butyl methyl ether to give 4-(4- pyridyl)-1 H-pyrazol-3-amine.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-de) 8.66 (br s, 1 H), 8.49 (d, 2H), 7.74 (d, 2H) (NH protons missing)

Step 3: Preparation of N-[[4-(4-pyridyl)-1 H-pyrazol-3-yl]azo]methanamine

To a suspension of 4-(4-pyridyl)-1 H-pyrazol-3-amine (0.4 g) in water (4 ml_), cooled to ~0°C, was added 6M aqueous hydrochloric acid (1 .6 ml_) drop wise. The resulting mixture was stirred at ~0°C for 30 minutes. A solution of sodium nitrite (0.51 g) in water was then added and stirring continued at ~0°C for 1 hour. Methylamine (40% in water, 2.25 ml_) was added and stirring continued for a further hour. The reaction mass was extracted with ethyl acetate and the organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated below 30°C. The compound was stored as a solution in ethyl acetate and used directly for the next reaction.

LCMS: 203 (M+H), Retention time 0.14 min

Step 4: Preparation of 3-methyl-7-(4-pyridyl)pyrazolo[5,1-e]tetrazole

To a solution of N-[[4-(4-pyridyl)-1 H-pyrazol-3-yl]azo]methanamine (0.4 g) in ethyl acetate (20 ml_), cooled to ~0°C, was added lead tetraacetate (1 .074 g) and the resulting reaction mixture was stirred for 1 hour at ~0°C. The reaction mass was slowly warmed to room temperature and stirred overnight. The mixture was quenched with saturated aqueous sodium carbonate and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was concentrated to give 3-methyl-7-(4-pyridyl)pyrazolo[5,1-e]tetrazole, which was used without further purification.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, CD ₃ OD) 8.47 (d, 2H), 8.44 (s, 1 H), 7.80 (d, 2H), 4.52 (s, 3H) Example 11 : Preparation of 2-methyl-6-(4-pyridylH1 ,2.41triazolo[5.1-b1H ,3.41oxadiazole

To a solution of 4-cyanopyridine (2 g) in methanol (95 mL), at room temperature, was added sodium methoxide (25% in methanol, 2.093 g). After stirring at room temperature for 16 hours, 5-methyl-1 ,3,4- oxadiazol-2-amine (1 .9 g) was added and the reaction mixture was then heated at reflux for 12 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated to give N-(5-methyl-1 ,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)pyridine-4- carboxamidine, which was used without further purification.

LCMS: 204 (M+H), Retention time 0.17 min

Step 2: Preparation of 2-methyl-6-(4-pyridyl)-[1 ,2,4]triazolo[5,1-b][1 ,3,4]oxadiazole To a solution of N-(5-methyl-1 ,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)pyridine-4-carboxamidine (1 .4 g) in acetonitrile (56 ml) was added (diacetoxyiodo)benzene (3.3 g) and potassium carbonate (1 .4 g) was added. After stirring at room temperature for 18 hours, the reaction mixture was concentrated and the resulting residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography eluting with a mixture of ethyl acetate in cyclohexane to give 2-methyl-6-(4-pyridyl)-[1 ,2,4]triazolo[5,1-b][1 ,3,4]oxadiazole. Ή NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-de) 8.70 - 8.75 (m, 2H) 7.93 - 7.97 (m, 2H), 2.70 (s, 3H)

Example 12: Preparation of 6-methyl-3-(4-pyridylH1 ,2.41triazolo[3.4-b1H ,3,41thiadiazole

Step 1 : Preparation of potassium N-(pyridine-4-carbonylamino)carbamodithioate To a solution of pyridine-4-carbohydrazide (1 g) in ethanol (10 ml_), cooled to ~0°C, was added potassium hydroxide (0.61 g) and methanedithione (0.83 g). The resulting mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred overnight. To the reaction mixture was added anhydrous ether and the resulting yellow precipitate was filtered off and dried to give potassium N-(pyridine-4- carbonylamino)carbamodithioate.

LCMS: 212 (M+), Retention time 0.95 min

Step 2: Preparation of 5-(4-pyridyl)-1 ,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiol

To a solution of potassium N-(pyridine-4-carbonylamino)carbamodithioate (1 .6 g) in water (8 ml_), at room temperature, was added hydrazine hydrate (0.473 ml_). The reaction mass was heated at 100°C for 12 hours then concentrated to give 4-amino-5-(4-pyridyl)-1 ,2,4-triazole-3-thiol, which was used without further purification.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-de) 8.80 (d, 2H), 7.81 (d, 2H) (SH proton missing)

Step 3: Preparation of 4-amino-5-(4-pyridyl)-1 ,2,4-triazole-3-thiol

To a solution of 5-(4-pyridyl)-1 ,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiol (0.8 g) in pyridine (12 ml_) was added hydrazine hydrate (0.66 ml_) and the mixture was heated at 120°C for 12 hours. The reaction mass was diluted with water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated to give 4-amino-5-(4-pyridyl)-1 ,2,4-triazole-3-thiol as a yellow solid.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-de) 14.20 (s, 1 H), 5.87 (s, 2H), 8.04 (d, 2H), 8.76 (d, 2H)

Step 4: Preparation of 6-methyl-3-(4-pyridyl)-[1 ,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1 ,3,4]thiadiazole A mixture of 4-amino-5-(4-pyridyl)-1 ,2,4-triazole-3-thiol (0.5 g) and acetic anhydride (5 mL) was heated at 120°C for 6 hours. The reaction mixture quenched with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and extracted with ethyl acetate (2x30 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated to give 6-methyl-3-(4-pyridyl)-[1 ,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1 ,3,4]thiadiazole.

Ή NMR (400 MHz, CDCb) 8.81 (d, 2H), 8.24 (d, 2H), 2.84 (s, 3H)

Table A - Physical Data for Compounds of the Invention BIOLOGICAL EXAMPLES

Post-emergence efficacy

Seeds of a variety of test species were sown in standard soil in pots. After cultivation for 14 days (postemergence) under controlled conditions in a glasshouse (at 24/16 °C, day/night; 14 hours light; 65 % humidity), the plants were sprayed with an aqueous spray solution derived from the dissolution of the technical active ingredient formula (I) in a small amount of acetone and a special solvent and emulsifier mixture referred to as IF50 (11.12% Emulsogen EL360 TM + 44.44% N-methylpyrrolidone + 44.44% Dowanol DPM glycol ether), to create a 50g/l solution which was then diluted to required concentration using 0.25% or 1% Empicol ESC70 (Sodium lauryl ether sulphate) + 1% ammonium sulphate as diluent. The test plants were then grown in a glasshouse under controlled conditions (at 24/16 °C, day/night; 14 hours light; 65 % humidity) and watered twice daily. After 13 days the test was evaluated (100 = total damage to plant; 0 = no damage to plant).

The results are shown in Table B (below). A value of n/a indicates that this combination of weed and test compound was not tested/assessed.

Test plants: Ipomoea hederacea (IPOHE), Euphorbia heterophylla (EPHHL), Chenopodium album (CHEAL), Amaranthus palmeri (AMAPA), Lolium perenne (LOLPE), Digitaria sanguinalis (DIGSA), Eleusine indica (ELEIN), Echinochloa crus-galli (ECHCG), Setaria faberi (SETFA) Table B - Control of weed species by compounds of formula (T) after post-emergence application