Isothiazole Derivatives The present invention relates to novel isothiazole derivatives, to a process for their preparation and to their use as microbicides. The invention further relates to novel intermediates and to a process for their preparation.

It has already been known that certain isothiazole derivatives can be employed for the control of plant pests (cf. JP 59 024-1993 and JP-A 277 277-1996). The fungicidal activity of such known compounds, however, is not always satisfactory.

There have now been found novel isothiazole derivatives of formula wherein R represents alkyl having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, alkenyl having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, alkenyl having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, alkylnyl having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl-alkyl having 3 to 8 carbon atoms in the cycloalkyl group and 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, haloalkyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 to 9 identical or different halogen atoms, or R represents alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, wherein each of these radicals is substituted by 1 to 3 radicals selected from alkoxy having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkylthio having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in each of the alkyl groups, alkoxycarbonyl having 1 to 4

carbon atoms in the alkoxy group and trialkylsilyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in each of the alkyl groups, or R represents phenyl, which may be substituted by 1 to 5 identical or different radicals selected from halogen, alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkylthio having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, haloalkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and l to 5 identical or different halogen atoms, alkoxycarbonyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkoxy group, nitro and haloalkoxy having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 to 9 identical or different halogen atoms, or R represents aralkyl having 6 to 10 carbon atoms in the aryl group and 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, wherein the aryl group may be substituted by 1 to 3 identical or different radicals selected from halogen, alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkylthio having 1 to 4 carbon atoms haloalkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 to 9 identical or different halogen atoms, nitro and haloalkoxy having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 to 5 identical or different halogen atoms, alkoxycarbonyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkoxy group, or R represents naphthyl or diphenylmethyl, and n represents 0,1 or 2.

Further, it has been found that the isothiazole derivatives of the formula (I) can be prepared by a) reacting isothiazolyl-ethanones of the formula

wherein X represents halogen, with thioalcohols of the formula R-SH (III) wherein R has the above-mentioned meanings, in the presence of an inert diluent and, if appropriate, in the presence of an acid- binding agent, and b) optionally reacting the resulting isothiazole derivatives of the formula wherein R has the above-mentioned meanings,

with an oxidizing agent in the presence of an inert diluent.

Finally, it has been found that the isothiazole derivatives of the formula (I) are outstandingly active as microbicides in agriculture and horticulture, particularly as fungicides for the direct control of plant diseases or for causing resistance in plants against plant pathogens.

Surprisingly, the isothiazole derivatives of the formula (I) according to the invention have a much better microbidical activity than the already known compounds, which are structurally most similar and have the same type of action.

In the present context, the above-mentioned definitions may have the following meanings : "Halogen"and halogen in"haloalkyl"and"haloalkoxy"represents fluoro, chloro, bromo or iodo, and preferably is fluoro, chloro or bromo.

"Alkyl"can be straight chain or branched and there may be mentioned, for example, methyl, ethyl, n-or iso-propyl, n-, iso-, sec-or tert-butyl, n-, iso-, neo-or tert-pentyl, 2-methylbutyl, n-hexyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl, n-decyl, n-undecyl, n-dodecyl etc.

"Alkenyl"includes, for example, allyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 2-pentenyl, 2-hexenyl, 2-heptenyl, 2-octenyl etc.

As"alkynyl"there may be mentioned, for example, 2-propynyl, 2-butynyl, 2- pentynyl, 2-hexynyl, 3-hexynyl, 2-heptynyl, 2-octynyl etc.

"Cycloalkyl"includes, for example, cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclo- heptyl, cyclooctyl etc.

"Cycloalkylalkyl"includes, for example, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, cyclooctylmethyl etc.

"Aralkyl"is an arylalkyl radical, whose alkyl part can be straight chain or branched, and there may be mentioned, for example, benzyl, 2-phenethyl, a-methylbenzyl, a, a- dimethylbenzyl, 2-phenylpropyl, 3-phenylpropyl, a-ethylbenzyl etc.

"Alkoxy"can be straight chain or branched and there may be mentioned, for example, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, n-, iso-, sec-or tert-butoxy.

The alkoxy part in"alkoxycarbonyl"can have the same definitions as the above- mentioned"alkoxy"and there may be specifically mentioned, for example, methoxy- carbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, propoxycarbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl, n-, iso-, sec-or tert-butoxycarbonyl.

"Alkylthio"can be straight chain or branched and there may be mentioned, for example, methylthio, ethylthio, n-or iso-propylthio, n-, iso-, sec-or tert-butylthio.

"Dialkylamino"denotes a group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl part. As examples there may be mentioned dimethylamino, diethylamino, methylethylamino, methyl-n-propylamino, methylisopropylamino, dipropylamino, di- (n-butyl) amino etc.

"Trialkylsilyl"represents a group, wherein each alkyl group has 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

As examples there may be mentioned trimethylsilyl, triethylsilyl, tri (n-propyl) silyl, tri (n-butyl) silyl etc.

"Haloalkyl"represents straight chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine atoms. As examples there may be mentioned difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, 2-fluoroethyl, 2-chloroethyl, 2,2, 2-tri- fluoroethyl, 1,1, 2, 2-tetrafluoroethyl, 1,1, 2,2, 2-pentafluoroethyl,. 2-chloro-1, 1, 2- WO 03/031420

trifluoroethyl, 3-fluoropropyl, 3-chloropropyl, 2, 2, 3,3, 3-pentafluoropropyl, 1,2, 2,3, 3, 3-hexafluoropropyl, perfluorobutyl etc.

"Haloalkoxy"represents a straight-chain or branched group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine atoms. As examples there may be mentioned difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, 2-fluoroethoxy, 2-chloroethoxy, 2- bromoethoxy, 2,2, 2-trifluoroethoxy, 3-chloropropoxy etc.

Formula (I) provides a general definition of the isothiazole derivatives according to the invention. Preferred compounds of the formula (I) are those, in which R represents methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert- butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, 2-methylbutyl, n-hexyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl, n-decyl, nonyl, undecyl, dodecyl, allyl, 2-butenyl, 2-pentenyl, 2-hexenyl, 9-octenyl, 2- propynyl, 2-butyryl, 2-pentynyl, 3-hexynyl, cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, trifluoromethyl, 3-chloropropyl, 2,2, 2-trifluoroethyl, or R represents alkyl having 1 or 2 carbon atoms, wherein each of these radicals is substituted by 1 to 3 radicals selected from methoxy, ethoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, dimethylamino, diethylamino, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl and trimethylsilyl, or R represents phenyl, which may be substituted by 1 to 5 identical or different radicals selected from fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl and nitro, or

R represents phenylalkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, wherein the phenyl group may be substituted by 1 to 3 identical or different radicals selected from fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, methylthio, eth- ylthio, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl and nitro, or R represents naphthyl or diphenylmethyl and n represents 0,1 or 2.

Particularly preferred are those isothiazole derivatives of the formula (I), wherein R represents methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert- butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, 2-methyl-butyl, n-hexyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl, n-nonyl, n-decyl, n-undecyl, n-dodecyl, allyl, 2-butenyl, 2-pentenyl, 2-hexenyl, 2- octenyl, 2-propynyl, 2-butynyl, 2-pentynyl, 3-hexynyl, cyclopropyl, cyclo- pentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptenyl, cyclooctyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclo- pentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, 3-chloropropyl, 2,2, 2-trifluoroethyl, tri- fluoromethyl, or R represents alkyl having 1 to 2 carbon atoms, wherein each of these radicals is substituted by a radical selected from methoxy, ethoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, dimethylamino, diethylamino, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl and trimethylsilyl, or R represents phenyl, which may be substituted by 1 to 5 identical or different radicals selected from fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl,

isopropyl, tert-butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl and nitro, or R represents phenylalkyl having 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, wherein the phenyl group may be substituted by 1 to 3 identical or differerent radicals selected from fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxy- carbonyl and nitro, or R represents naphthyl or diphenylmethyl, and n represents 0,1 or 2.

If 2-bromo-l- (3, 4-dichloro-5-isothiazolyl) -ethanone and benzylmercaptan are used as starting materials, process variant (a) according to the invention can be illustrated by the following formula scheme.

ci ci I I \ acid binding agent Is CH,, BR + HSCH-- o 0 Cl Cl ci ci CH2W S--CH2 0

If 2-benzylthio-l- (3, 4-dichloro-5-isothiazolyl) -ethanone and m-chloroperbenzoic acid are used as starting materials, process variant (b) according to the invention can be illustrated by the following formula scheme:

ci CI m-chloroperbenzoic acid I , N s S > CH2SO2CH2 * o 0 Formula (II) provides a definition of the isothiazolyl-ethanones, which are required as starting materials for carrying out process variant (a) according to the invention. In this formula, X preferably represents chlorine or bromine.

The following compounds may be mentioned as examples of isothiazolyl-ethanones of the formula (II): <BR> <BR> 2-chloro-1- (3, 4-dichloro-5-isothiazolyl)-ethanone and<BR> <BR> 2-bromo-1- (3, 4-dichloro-5-isothiazolyl)-ethanone.

The isothiazolyl-ethanones of the formula (II) are novel.

The isothiazolyl-ethanones of the formula (II) can be prepared by c) reacting 5-acetyl-3,4-dichloroisothiazole of the formula

with a halogenating agent in the presence of a catalyst and in the presence of a diluent.

Upon carrying out process (c), chlorine and bromine can be used as halogenating agents.

Suitable catalysts for conducting process (c) are, for example, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid and acetic acid.

Suitable diluents for conducting process (c) are, for example, organic acids, such as formic acid and acetic acid.

Process (c) can be conducted according to the method described in"SHIN JIKKEN KAGAKU KOZA (New Lecture on Experimental Chemistry) "Vol. 14,"Syntheses and Reactions of Organic Compounds I"p. 345-350 (published by Maruzen in 1997).

The 5-acetyl-3,4-dichloro-isothiazole of the formula (IV), which is required as a starting material in process (c), is a novel compound too.

The 5-acetyl-3, 4-dichloro-isothiazole of the formula (IV) can be prepared by d) reacting isothiazole derivatives of the formula wherein

R1 represents di (CI-4 alk-oxycarbonyl) methyl or 2, 2-dimethyl-1, 3-dioxan-4,6- dione-5-yl, with an acid in the presence of a diluent.

Suitable acids for conducting process (d) are, for example, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid and acetic acid.

Suitable diluents for conducting process (d) are, for example, dioxane, tetrahydro- furan and dichloroethane.

Process (d) can be conducted according to the method described in Indian Journal of Chemistry, Vol. 20, page 504 (1981).

The isothiazole derivatives of the formula (V), which are required as starting materials in process (d), are novel compounds too.

The isothiazole derivatives of the formula (V) can be prepared by e) reacting 3,4-dichloro-5-isothiazole-carbonyl chloride of the formula with di (Cl-4 alkyl) malonate or Meldrum's acid in the presence of an acid binder and in the presence of a diluent.

Suitable acid binders for conducting process (e) are, for example, 4-dimethyl- aminopyridine or triethylamine.

Suitable diluents for conducting process (e) are, for example, dichloromethane, tetrahydrofurane, acetonitrile or ethyl acetate.

Process (e) can be conducted according to the method described in Journal of Organic Chemistry, Vol. 43, page 20S7 (1978).

The isothiazolyl-ethanones of the formula (II) and the 5-acetyl-3, 4-dichloro- isothiazole of the formula (IV) are also microbicidally active.

Formula (III) provides a general definition of the thioalcohols, which are required as reaction components for carrying out process variant (a) according to the invention.

In this formula, R preferably has those meanings, which have already been mentioned as preferred for this radical.

The following compounds may be mentioned as examples of thioalcohols of the formula (III): methyl mercaptan, allyl mercaptan, 2-butynyl mercaptan, cyclopentyl mercaptan, cyclopentylmethyl mercaptan, 2,2, 2-trifluoroethyl mercaptan, 2-ethoxyethyl mercaptan, 2-ethylthioethyl mercaptan, 2-dimethylaminoethyl mercaptan, 2-methoxycarbonylethyl mercaptan, 2-trimethylsilylethyl mercaptan, thiophenol, benzyl mercaptan and so on.

Formula (Ia) provides a general definition of the isothiazole derivatives, which are required as starting materials for carrying out process variant (b) according to the invention.

The following compounds may be mentioned as examples of isothiazole derivatives of the formula (Ia) : 2-methylthio-l- (3, 4-dichloro-5-isothiazolyl) ethanone, 2-cyclopentylthio-l- (3, 4-dichloro-5-isothiazolyl) ethanone, 2-phenylthio-1- (3, 4-dichloro-5-isothiazolyl) ethanone, 2-benzylthio-1- (3, 4-dichloro-5-isothiazolyl) ethanone and so on.

The isothiazole derivatives of the formula (Ia) are compounds according to the invention, which can be prepared by the above-mentioned process variant (a).

As oxidizing agents for carrying out process variant (b) according to the invention, there can be used all customary oxidizing agents, which are suitable for providing oxygen. Preferred agents of this type are, for example, hydrogen peroxide, perbenzoic acid, m-chloroperbenzoic acid, potassium permanganate and the mono- persulfuric acid salt that is known under the tradename Oxone@.

As already mentioned above, the compounds of the formulae (II), (IV) and (V) are novel. They can be collectively represented by the formula

Y represents methyl, monohalogenomethyl, di (CI-4 alkoxycarbonyl) methyl or 2, 2-dimethyl-1, 3-dioxan-4,6-dione-5-yl.

Suitable diluents for conducting process variant (a) according to the invention are all customary inert organic solvents as well as water.

Preferred diluents are water ; aliphatic, alicyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons (which may be chlorinated), for example, pentane, hexane, cyclohexane, petroleum ether, ligroine, benzene, toluene, xylene, dichloromethane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, 1,2-dichloroethane, chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene etc.; ethers, for example, ethyl ether, methyl ethyl ether, isopropyl ether, butyl ether, dioxane, dimethoxyethane (DME), tetrahydrofuran (THF), diethylene glycol dimethyl ether (DGM) etc.; ketones, for example, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), methyl isopropyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) etc.; nitriles, for example, acetonitrile, propionitrile, acrylonitrile etc.; esters, for example, ethyl acetate, amyl acetate etc.; acid amides, for example, dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethyl- acetamide (DMA), N-methylpyrrolidone, 1, 3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, hexa- methylphosphoric triamide (HMPA) etc.; sulfones and sulfoxides, for example, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), sulfolan etc.; as well as organic bases, for example, pyridine etc.

Suitable acid-binding agents for conducting process variant (a) according to the invention are all customary inorganic and organic bases. The following bases can preferably be used: Inorganic bases, such as hydrides, hydroxides, carbonates, bicarbonates etc. of alkali metals or alkaline earth metals, for example, sodium hydride, lithium hydride, sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassium hydrogen carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide etc.; alkali metal amides, for example, lithium amide, sodium

amide, potassium amide etc.; and as organic bases, alcoholates, tertiary amines, dialkylaminoanilines and pyridines, for example, sodium methoxide, potassium tert- butoxide, triethylamine, 1,1, 4,4-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA), N, N- dimethylaniline, N, N-diethylaniline, lutidine, pyridine, 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), 1, 4-diazabicyclo [2, 2, 2] octane (DABCO), 1, 8-diazabicyclo [5,4, 0] undec-7- ene (DBU) etc.; organolithium compounds, for example, methyl lithium, n-butyl lithium, sec-butyl lithium, tert-butyl lithium, phenyl lithium, dimethyl copper lithium, lithium diisopropylamide, lithium cyclohexylisopropylamide, lithium dicyclohexylamide, n-butyl lithium-DABCO, n-butyl lithium-DBU, n-butyl lithium- TMEDA etc.

Upon carrying out the process variant (a) according to the invention, the reaction temperatures can be varied within a substantially wide range. The reaction is generally carried out at a temperature between about-50°C and about +150°C, preferably between about-10°C and about +100°C.

The process variant (a) according to the invention is generally carried out under atmospheric pressure but, if desired, can also be carried out under elevated or reduced pressure.

Upon carrying out process variant (a) according to the invention, in general 1 mole of an isothiazolyl-ethanone of the formula (II) is reacted with 1.0 to 1.5 moles of a thioalcohol of the formula (III) in the presence of a diluent such as water, and in the presence of an acid-binding agent, such as sodium hydroxide.

Suitable diluents for conducting process variant (b) according to the invention are all customary organic solvents as well as water. Preferred diluents are water; aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons (which may be chlorinated), for example, pentane, hexane, cyclohexane, petroleum ether, ligroine, benzene, toluene, xylene, dichloro- methane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, 1, 2-dichloroethane, chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene etc.; ketones, for example, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK),

methyl isopropyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone (MINK) etc.; nitriles, for example, acetonitrile, propionitrile, acrylonitrile etc.; alcohols, for example, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, butanol, ethylene glycol etc.; esters, for example, ethyl acetate, amyl acetate etc.; acid amides, for example, dimethylformamide (DMF), dimeth- ylacetamide (DMA), N-methylpyrrolidone, 1, 3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, hexamethylphosphoric triamide (HMPA) etc.; sulfones, for example, sulfolan etc.; organic bases, such as pyridine etc; organic acids, for example, formic acid, acetic acid, tlifluoroacetic acid, propionic acid etc.

Upon carrying out process variant (b) according to the invention, the reaction temperatures may be varied within a certain range. The reaction is generally carried out at a temperature between about-50°C to about +100°C, preferably between about-10°C and +50°C.

The process variant (b) according to the invention is generally carried out under atmospheric pressure but, if desired, can also be carried out under elevated or reduced pressure.

Upon carrying out process variant (b) according to the invention for the preparation of an isothiazole derivative of the formula (I), wherein n is 1, in general 1 mole of an isothiazole derivative of the formula (Ia) is reacted with 1.0 to 1.2 moles of an oxidizing agent, such as m-chloroperbenzoic acid, in the presence of a diluent, such as dichloroethane.

Upon carrying out process variant (b) according to the invention for the preparation of an isothiazole derivative of the formula (I), wherein n is 2, in general 1 mole of an isothiazole derivative of the formula (Ia) is reacted with 2. 0 to 2.2 moles of an oxidizing agent, such as m-chloroperbenzoic acid in the presence of a diluent such as dichloroethane.

The compounds according to the invention prepared by the above-mentioned process

can in each case be isolated from the reaction mixture by customary procedures and can be purified by known methods, such as crystallization, chromatography etc.

The compounds according to the present invention exhibit a strong microbicidai activity. Thus, they can be used for combating undesired microorganisms, such as phytopathogenic fungi and bacteriae, in agriculture and horticulture. The compounds are suitable for the direct control of undesired microorganisms as well as for generating resistance in plants against attack by undesired plant pathogens.

Resistance-inducing substances in the present context are to be understood as those substances which are capable of stimulating the defence system of plants such that the treated plants, when subsequently inoculated with undesirable microorganisms, display substantial resistance to these microorganisms.

Undesirable microorganisms in the present case are to be understood as phytopatho- genic fungi and bacteriae. The substances according to the invention can thus be employed to generate resistance in plants against attack by the harmful organisms mentioned within a certain period of time after the treatment. The period of time within which resistance is brought about in general extends from 1 to 10 days, prefer- ably 1 to 7 days, after treatment of the plants with the active compounds.

Generally, the compounds according to the invention can be used as fungicides for combating phytopathogenic fungi, such as Plasmodiophoromycetes, Oomycetes, Chytridiomycetes, Zygomycetes, Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes and Deutero- mycetes, and can also be used as bactericides for combating bacteriae, such as Pseudomonadaceae, Rhizobiaceae, Enterobacteliaceae, Corynebacteriaceae, Stre- ptomycetaceae, Proteobacteriae and Gram-positive groups.

Some pathogens causing fungal diseases which come under the generic names listed above are mentioned as examples, but not by way of limitation:

Erwinia species, such as, for example, Erwinia amylovora; Pythium species, such as, for example, Pythium ultimum; Phytophthora species, such as, for example, Phytophthora infestans; Pseudoperonospora species, such as, for example, Pseudoperonospora humuli or Pseudoperonospora cubensis ; Plasmopara species, such as, for example, Plasmopara viticola; Bremia species, such as, for example, Bremia Lactucae; Peronospora species, such as, for example, Peronospora pisi or P. brassicae; Erysiphe species, such as, for example, Erysiphe graminis ; Sphaerotheca species, such as, for example, Sphaerotheca fuliginea ; Podosphaera species, such as, for example, Podosphaera leucotricha; Venturi species, such as, for example, Venturi inaequalis; Pyrenophora species, such as, for example, Pyrenophora teres or P. graminea (conidia form : Drechslera, syn : Helminthosporium) ; Cochliobolus species, such as, for example, Cochliobolus sativus (conidia fonn : Drechslera, syn : Helminthosporium) ; Uromyces species, such as, for example, Uromyces appendiculatus; Puccinia species, such as, for example, Puccinia recondita; Sclerotinia species, such as, for example, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum ; Tilletia species, such as, for example, Tilletia caries; Ustilago species, such as, for example, Ustilago nuda or Ustilago avenae; Pellicularia species, such as, for example, Pellicularia sasakii; Pyricularia species, such as, for example, Pyricularia oryzae; Fusarium species, such as, for example, Fusarium culmorum ; Botrytis species, such as, for example, Botrytis cinerea ; Septoria species, such as, for example, Leptosphaeria nodorum; Cercospora species, such as, for example, Cercospora canescens; Altemaria species, such as, for example, Alternaria brassicae; and Pseudocercosporella species, such as, for example, Pseudocercosporella herpo- trichoides.

The compounds according to the present invention are particularly suitable for causing resistance against infection of plants by plant pathogens, such as Pyricularia oryzae, Phythophthora infestans etc.

The good toleration, by plants, of the active compounds, at the concentrations required for combating plants diseases, permits treatment of above-ground parts of plants, of vegetative propagation stock and seeds, and of the soil.

The compounds according to the present invention have a low toxicity against warm- blooded animals and therefore can be used safely.

The active compounds can be converted into the customary formulations, such as solutions, emulsions, wettable powders, suspensions, powders, foams, pastes, granu- les, tablets, aerosols, natural and synthetic materials impregnated with active compound, very fine capsules in polymeric substances, coating compositions for use on seed, and formulations used with burning equipment, such as fumigating cartridges, fumigating cans and fumigating coils, as well as ULV cold mist and warm mist formulations.

These formulations may be produced in known manner, for example by mixing the active compounds with extenders, that is to say liquid or liquefied gaseous or solid diluents or carriers, optionally with the use of surface-active agents, that is to say emulsifying agents and/or dispersing agents and/or foam-forming agents. In the case of the use of water as an extender, organic solvents can, for example, also be used as auxiliary solvents.

As liquid solvents diluents or carriers, there are suitable in the main, aromatic hydro- carbons such as xylene, toluene or alkyl naphthalenes, chlorinated aromatic or chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as chlorobenzenes, chloroethylenes or methylene chloride, aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as cyclohexane or paraffins, for example mineral oil fractions, alcohols, such as butanol or glycol as well as their

ethers and esters, ketones, such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl-isobutyl ketone or cyclohexanone, or strongly polar solvents, such as dimethylformamide and dimethyl-sulphoxide, as well as water.

By liquefied gaseous diluents or carriers are meant liquids which would be gaseous at normal temperature and under normal pressure, for example aerosol propellants, such as halogenated hydrocarbons as well as butane, propane, nitrogen and carbon dioxide.

As solid carriers there may be used ground natural minerals, such as kaolings, clays, talc, chalk, quartz, attapulgite, montmorillonite or diatomaceous earth, and ground synthetic minerals, such as highly-dispersed silicic acid, alumina and silicates. As solid carriers for granules there may be used crushed and fractionated natural rocks such as calcite, marble, pumice, sepiolite and dolomite, as well as synthetic granules of inorganic and organic meals, and granules of organic material such as sawdust, coconut shells, maize cobs and tobacco stalks.

As emulsifying and/or foam-forming agents there may be used non-ionic and anionic emulsifiers, such as polyoxyethylene-fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene-fatty alcohol ethers, for example alkylaryl polyglycol ethers, alkyl sulphonates, alkyl sulphates, aryl sulphonates as well as albumin hydrolysis products.

Dispersing agents include, for example, lignin sulphite waste liquors and methyl- cellulose.

Adhesives such as carboxymethylcellulose and natural and synthetic polymers in the form of powders, granules or latices, such as gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol and poly- vinyl acetate, can be used in the formulation.

It is possible to use colorants such as inorganic pigments, for example iron oxide, titanium oxide and Prussian Blue, and organic dyestuffs, such as alizarin dyestuffs,

azo dyestuffs or metal phthalocyanine dyestuffs, and trace nutrients, such as salts of iron, manganese, boron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum and zinc.

The formulations in general contain from 0.1 to 95 per cent by weight of active compound, preferably from 0.5 to 90 per cent by weight.

The active compounds according to the invention can be present in the formulations or in the various use forms as a mixture with other known active compounds, such as fungicides, bactericides, insecticides, acaricides, nematicides, herbicides, bird re- pellents, growth factors, plant nutrients and agents for improving soil structure.

In many cases, synergistic effects are achieved, i. e. the activity of the mixture exceeds the activity of the individual components.

Examples of co-components in mixtures are the following compounds: Fungicides: aldimorph, ampropylfos, ampropylfos potassium, andoprim, anilazine, azaconazole, azoxystrobin, benalaxyl, benodanil, benomyl, benzamacril, benzamacril-isobutyl, bialaphos, binapacryl, biphenyl, bitertanol, blasticidin-S, bromuconazole, bupirimate, buthiobate, calcium polysulphide, capsimycin, captafol, captan, carbendazim, carboxin, carvon, quinomethionate, chlobenthiazone, chlorfenazole, chloroneb, chloropicrin, chloro- thalonil, chlozolinate, clozylacon, cufraneb, cymoxanil, cyproconazole, cyprodinil, cyprofuram, carpropamide, debacarb, dichlorophen, diclobutrazole, diclofluanid, diclomezine, dicloran, diethofencarb, difenoconazole, dimethirimol, dimethomorph, diniconazole, diniconazole-M, dinocap, diphenylamine, dipyrithione, ditalimfos, dithianon, dodemorph, dodine, drazoxolon, edifenphos, epoxiconazole, etaconazole, ethirimol, etridiazole,

famoxadon, fenapanil, fenarimol, fenbuconazole, fenfuram, fenitropan, fenpiclonil, fenpropidin, fenpropimorph, fentin acetate, fentin hydroxide, ferbam, ferimzone, fluazinam, flumetover, fluoromide, fluquinconazole, flurprimidol, flusilazole, flusulfamide, flutolanil, flutriafol, folpet, fosetyl-aluminium, fosetyl-sodium, fthalide, fuberidazole, furalaxyl, furametpyr, furcarbonil, furconazole, furconazole- cis, furmecyclox, fenhexamide, guazatine, hexachlorobenzene, hexaconazole, hymexazole, imazalil, imibenconazole, iminoctadine, iminoctadine albesilate, iminoctadine triacetate, iodocarb, ipconazole, iprobenfos (IBP), iprodione, irumamycin, isopro- thiolane, isovaledione, iprovalicarb, kasugamycin, kresoxim-methyl, copper preparations, such as: copper hydroxide, copper naphthenate, copper oxychloride, copper sulphate, copper oxide, oxine-copper and Bordeaux mixture, mancopper, mancozeb, maneb, meferimzone, mepanipyrim, mepronil, metalaxyl, metconazole, methasulfocarb, methfuroxam, metiram, metomeclam, metsulfovax, mildiomycin, myclobutanil, myclozolin, nickel dimethyldithiocarbamate, nitrothal-isopropyl, nuarimol, ofurace, oxadixyl, oxamocarb, oxolinic acid, oxycarboxim, oxyfenthiin, paclobutrazole, pefurazoate, penconazole, pencycuron, phosdiphen, pimaricin, piperalin, polyoxin, polyoxorim, probenazole, prochloraz, procymidone, propamo- carb, propanosine-sodium, propiconazole, propineb, pyrazophos, pyrifenox, pyrimethanil, pyroquilon, pyroxyfur, quinconazole, quintozene (PCNB), quinoxyfen, sulphur and sulphur preparations, spiroxamine, tebuconazole, tecloftalam, tecnazene, tetcyclacis, tetraconazole, thiabendazole, thicyofen, tliifluzamide, thiophanate-methyl, thiram, tioxymid, tolclofos-methyl, tolylfluanid, triadimefon, triadimenol, triazbutil, triazoxide, trichlamide, tricyclazole, tridemorph, triflumizole, triforine, triticonazole, trifloxystrobin, uniconazole, validamycin A, vinclozolin, viniconazole,

zarilamide, zineb, ziram and also Dagger G, OK-8705, OK-8801, a-(1, 1-dimethylethyl)-ß-(2-phenoxyethyl)-lH-1, 2, 4-triazole-1-ethanol, α-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-ß-fluoro-ß-propyl-1H-1, 2, 4-triazole-1-ethanol, α-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-ß-methoxy-α-methyl-1H-1, 2,4-triazole-1-ethanol, α-(5-methyl-1,3-dioxan-5-yl)-ß-[[4-(trifluoromethyl)-pheny l]-methylene]-1H-1, 2,4- triazole-1-ethanol, (5RS, 6RS)-6-hydroxy-2, 2,7, 7-tetramethyl-5-(1 H-1, 2, 4-triazol-1-yl)-3-octanone, (E)-a-(methoxyimino)-N-methyl-2-phenoxy-phenylacetamide, 1- (2, 4-dichlorophenyl)-2- (lH-1, 2, 4-triazol-1-yl)-ethanone 0- (phenylmethyl)-oxime, 1- (2-methyl-1-naphthalenyl)-1 H-pyrrol-2, 5-dione, 1-(3, 5-dichlorophenyl)-3-(2-propenyl)-2, 5-pyrrolidinedione, 1-[(diiodomethyl)-sulphonyl]-4-methyl-benzene, 1-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,3-dioxolan-2-yl]-methyl]-1H-imi dazole, 1-[[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-phenyloxiranyl]-methyl]-1 H-1, 2,4-triazole, <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 1- [l- [2- [ (2, 4-dichlorophenyl)-methoxy]-phenyl]-ethenyl]-1 H-imidazole,<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 1-methyl-5-nonyl-2-(phenylmethyl)-3-pyrrolidinole, 2',6'-dibromo-2-methyl-4'-trifluoromethoxy-4-trifluoro-methy l-1, 3-thiazole-5- carboxanilide, 2, 6-dichloro-5-(methylthio)-4-pyrimidinyl thiocyanate, 2, 6-dichloro-N- (4-trifluoromethylbenzyl)-benzamide, 2, 6-dichloro-N-[[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-methyl]-benzamide , 2- (2, 3,3-triiodo-2-propenyl)-2H-tetrazole, 2- [ (1-methylethyl)-sulphonyl]-5- (trichloromethyl)-1, 3, 4-thiadiazole, <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 2-[[6-deoxy-4-O-(4-O-methyl-ß-D-glycopyrnaosyl)-α-D-glucop yranosyl]-amino]-4- methoxy-1 H-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine-5-carbonitrile, 2-aminobutane, 2-bromo-2-(bromomethyl)-pentanedinitrile, 2-chloro-N-(2,3-dihydro-1,1,3-trimethyl-1H-inden-4-yl)-3-pyr idinecarboxamide,

2-chloro-N- (2, 6-dimethylphenyl)-N- (isothiocyanatomethyl)-acetamide, 2-phenylphenol (OPP), 3, 4-dichloro-1-[4-(difluoromethoxy)-phenyl]-1H-pyrrol-2, 5-dione, 3, 5-dichloro-N- [cyano [ (l-methyl-2-propinyl)-oxy]-methyl]-benzamide, <BR> <BR> 3- (1, 1-dimethylpropyi-1-oxo-1 H-indene-2-carbonitrile,<BR> <BR> <BR> 3- [2- (4-chlorophenyl)-5-ethoxy-3-isoxazolidinyl]-pyridine, 4-chloro-2-cyano-N, N-dimethyl-5- (4-methylphenyl)-1 H-imidazole-1-sulphonamide, 4-methyl-tetrazolo [1, 5-a] quinazolin-5 (4H) -one, 8-hydroxyquinoline sulphate, 9H-xanthene-2-[(phenylamino)-carbonyl]-9-carboxylic hydrazide, bis-(l-methylethyl)-3-methyl-4-[(3-methylbenzoyl)-oxy] 2, 5-thiophenedicarboxylate, cis-l-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(1 H-1, 2, 4-triazol-1-yl)-cycloheptanol, cis-4- [3- [4- (1, 1-dimethylpropyl)-phenyl-2-methylpropyl]-2, 6-dimethyl- morpholinehydrochloride, ethyl [ (4-chlorophenyl)-azo]-cyanoacetate, potassium hydrogen carbonate, methanetetrathiol sodium salt, methyl 1- (2, 3-dihydro-2, 2-dimethyl-1 H-inden-1-yl)-1 H-imidazole-5-carboxylate, methyl N- (2, 6-dimethylphenyl)-N- (5-isoxazolylcarbonyl)-DL-alaninate, methyl N-(chloroacetyl)-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-DL-alaninate, <BR> <BR> N- (2, 6-dimethylphenyl)-2-methoxy-N- (tetrahydro-2-oxo-3-furanyl)-acetamide,<BR> N- (2, 6-dimethylphenyl)-2-methoxy-N- (tetrahydro-2-oxo-3-thienyl)-acetamide,<BR> <BR> <BR> N-(2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl)-4-methyl-3-nitro-benzenesulphonam ide, N- (4-cyclohexylphenyl)-1, 4,5, 6-tetrahydro-2-pyrimidineamine, N-(4-hexylphenyl)-1, 4,5, 6-tetrahydro-2-pyrimidineamine, N- (5-chloro-2-methylphenyl)-2-methoxy-N- (2-oxo-3-oxazolidinyl)-acetamide, N-(6-methoxy)-3-pyridinyl)-cyclopropanecarboxamide, N- [2, 2, 2-trichloro-1-[(chloroacetyl)-amino]-ethyl]-benzamide, N- [3-chloro-4, 5-bis (2-propinyloxy)-phenyl]-N'-methoxy-methanimidamide, N-formyl-N-hydroxy-DL-alanine-sodium salt, O, O-diethyl [2- (dipropylamino)-2-oxoethyl]-ethylphosphoramidothioate,

O-methyl S-phenyl phenylpropylphosphoramidothioate, S-methyl 1,2, 3-benzothiadiazole-7-carbothioate, spiro [2H]-1-benzopyran-2, 1' (3'H)-isobenzofuran]-3'-one, Bactericides: bronopol, dichlorophen, nitrapyrin, nickel dimethyldithiocarbamate, kasugamycin, octhilinone, furancarboxylic acid, oxytetracyclin, probenazole, streptomycin, tecloftalam, copper sulphate and other copper preparations.

Insecticides/acaricides/nematicides : abamectin, acephate, acetamiprid, acrinathrin, alanycarb, aldicarb, aldoxycarb, alpha- cypermethrin, alphamethrin, amitraz, avermectin, AZ 60541, azadirachtin, azamethiphos, azinphos A, azinphos M, azocyclotin, Bacillus popilliae, Bacillus sphaericus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus thuringiensis, baculoviruses, Beauveria bassiana, Beauveria tenella, bendiocarb, benfuracarb, bensultap, benzoximate, betacyfluthrin, bifenazate, bifenthrin, bioethanomethrin, biopermethrin, BPMC, bromophos A, bufencarb, buprofezin, butathiofos, butocarboxim, butylpyridaben, cadusafos, carbaryl, carbofuran, carbophenothion, carbosulfan, cartap, chloethocarb, chlorethoxyfos, chlorfenapyr, chlorfenvinphos, chlorfluazuron, chlormephos, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos M, chlovaporthrin, cis-resmethrin, cispermethrin, clocythrin, cloethocarb, clofentezine, cyanophos, cycloprene, cycloprothrin, cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin, cyhexatin, cypermethrin, cyromazine, deltamethrin, demeton M, demeton S, demeton-S-methyl, diafenthiuron, diazinon, dichlorvos, diflubenzuron, dimethoat, dimethylvinphos, diofenolan, disulfoton, docusat-sodium, dofenapyn, eflusilanate, emamectin, empentluin, endosulfan, Entomopfthora spp. , esfenvalerate, ethiofencarb, ethion, ethoprophos, etofenprox, etoxazole, etrimphos, fenamiphos, fenazaquin, fenbutatin oxide, fenitrothion, fenothiocarb, fenoxacrim, fenoxycarb, fenpropathrin, fenpyrad, fenpyrithrin, fenpyroximate, fenvalerate,

fipronil, fluazuron, flubrocythrinate, flucycloxuron, flucythrinate, flufenoxuron, flutenzine, fluvalinate, fonophos, fosmethilan, fosthiazate, fubfenprox, furathiocarb, granulosis viruses, halofenozide, HCH, heptenophos, hexaflumuron, hexythiazox, hydroprene, imidacloprid, isazophos, isofenphos, isoxathion, ivermectin, lambda-cyhalothrin, lufenuron, malathion, mecarbam, metaldehyde, methamidophos, Metharhizium anisopliae, Metharhizium flavoviride, methidathion, methiocarb, methomyl, methoxyfenozide, metolcarb, metoxadiazone, mevinphos, milbemectin, monocrotophos, naled, nitenpyram, nithiazine, novaluron, nuclear polyhedrosis viruses, omethoat, oxamyl, oxydemethon M, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus, parathion A, parathion M, permetluin, phenthoat, phorat, phosalone, phosmet, phosphamidon, phoxim, pirimicarb, pirimiphos A, pirimiphos M, profenofos, promecarb, propoxur, prothiofos, prothoat, pymetrozine, pyraclofos, pyresmethrin, pyrethrum, pyridaben, pyridathion, pyrimidifen, pyriproxyfen, quinalphos, ribavirin, salithion, sebufos, silafluofen, spinosad, sulfotep, sulprofos, tau-fluvalinate, tebufenozide, tebufenpyrad, tebupirimiphos, teflubenzuron, tefluthrin, temephos, temivinphos, terbufos, tetrachlorvinphos, theta-cypermethrin, thiamethoxam, thiapronil, thiatriphos, thiocyclam hydrogen oxalate, thiodicarb, thiofanox, thuringiensin, tralocythrin, tralomethrin, triarathene, triazamate, tliazophos, triazuron, trichlophenidine, trichlorfon, triflumuron, trimethacarb, thiacloprid, vamidothion, vaniliprole, Verticillium lecanii, YI 5302, zeta-cypermethrin, zolaprofos, (lR-cis)- [5- (phenylmethyl)-3-furanyl]-methyl-3- [ (dihydro-2-oxo-3 (2H) - furanylidene) -methyl] 2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate,

(3-phenoxyphenyl) -methyl 2,2, 3,3-tetramethylcyclopropanecarboxylate, 1-[(2-chloro-5-thiazolyl)methyl] tetrahydro-3, 5-dimethyl-N-nitro-1, 3,5-triazine- <BR> <BR> 2 (1H)-imine,<BR> <BR> 2- (2-chloro-6-fluorophenyl)-4- [4- ( 1, 1-dimethylethyl) phenyl] -4, 5-dihydro-oxazole, 2-(acetyloxy)-3-dodecyl-1, 4-naphthalenedione, 2-chloro-N-[[[4-(1-phenylethoxy)-phenyl]-amino]-carbonyl]-be nzamide, 2-chloro-N-[[[4-(2,2-dichloro-1,1-difluoroethoxy)-phenyl]-am ino]-carbonyl]- benzamide, 3-methylphenyl propylcarbamate 4- [4- (4-ethoxyphenyl)-4-methylpentyl]-1-fluoro-2-phenoxy-benzene, 4-chloro-2-(1, 1-dimethylethyl)-5-[[2-(2, 6-dimethyl-4-phenoxyphenoxy) ethyl] thio]- 3 (2H)-pyridazinone, 4-chloro-2-(2-chloro-2-methylpropyl)-5-[(6-iodo-3-pyridinyl) methoxy] -3 (2H)-pyri- dazinone, 4-chloro-5- [(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl ! methoxy]-2-(3, 4-dichlorophenyl)-3 (2H) -pyri- dazinone, Bacillus thuringiensis strain EG-2348, [2-benzoyl-1- (1, 1-dimethylethyl)-hydrazinobenzoic acid, 2,2-dimethyl-3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-oxo-1-oxaspiro [4.5] dec-3-en-4-yl butanoate, [3-[(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl) methyl] -2-thiazolidinylidene]-cyanamide, dihydro-2-(nitromethylene)-2H-1, 3-thiazine-3 (4H)-carboxaldehyde, ethyl [2-[[1,6-dihydro-6-oxo-1-(phenylmethyl)-4-pyridazinyl] oxy] ethyl]-carbamate, N- (3, 4, 4-trifluoro-1-oxo-3-butenyl)-glycine, <BR> <BR> N- (4-chlorophenyl)-3- [4- (difluoromethoxy) phenyl] -4, 5-dihydro-4-phenyl-1 H-pyra-<BR> <BR> zole-1-carboxamide,<BR> <BR> N-[(2-chloro-5-thiazolyl) methyl]-N'-methyl-N"-nitro-guanidine, N-methyl-N'- (l-methyl-2-propenyl)-1, 2-hydrazinedicarbothioamide, N-methyl-N'-2-propenyl-1, 2-hydrazinedicarbothioamide, O, O-diethyl [2- (dipropylamino)-2-oxoethyl]-ethylphosphoramidothioate.

The active compounds can be used as such or in the form of their formulations or the use forms prepared therefrom by further dilution, such as ready-to-use solutions, emulsions, suspensions, powders, tablets, pastes, microcapsules and granules. They are used in the customary manner, for example by watering, immersion, spraying, atomising, misting, vaporizing, injecting, forming a slurry, brushing on, dusting, scattering, dry dressing, moist dressing, wet dressing, slurry dressing or encrusting.

In the treatment of parts of plants, the active compounds concentration in the use forms can be varied within a substantial range. They are, in general, from 1 to 0. 0001% by weight, preferably from 0.5 and 0. 001%.

For the treatment of seed, amounts of active compound of 0.1 to 10 g, especially 1 to 5 g, are generally employed per 1 kilogram of seed.

For the treatment of soil, active compound concentrations, at the point of action, of 0.00001 to 0. 1% by weight, especially of 0.0001 to 0. 02%, are generally employed.

As already mentioned above, all plants and parts of plants can be treated according to the invention. In a preferred embodiment naturally occurring plant species and plant varieties or those obtained by conventional biological breeding methods, such as crossbreeding or protoplast fusion as well as parts of such plants are treated. In an additional preferred embodiment transgenic plants and plant varieties which have been obtained by genetic engineering methods, possibly in combination with conventional methods (genetically modified organisms) and parts of such plants are treated. The term"parts"or"parts of plants"or"plant parts"is explained above.

According to the invention plants of the plant varieties commercially available or used at any particular time are very preferably treated. Plant varieties are understood to be plants with specific properties ("traits") which have been obtained both by conventional breeding, by mutagenesis or by recombinant DNA techniques. They can be varieties, biotypes or genotypes.

Depending on the species or varieties of plants, their location and growth conditions (the types of soil, climate, vegetation period and feed concerned), superadditive ("synergistic") effects can occur as a result of the treatment according to the invention. Effects such as for example reduced application rates and/or broadening of the activity spectra and/or increased activity of the compounds and compositions usable according to the invention, improved plant growth, increased tolerance of high or low temperatures, increased tolerance of dry conditions or water or ground salt contents, increased flowering capacity, facilitated harvesting, acceleration of maturity, increased crop yields, higher quality and/or increased nutritional value of the harvested crops and increased storing quality and/or processibility of the harvested crops are possible, which are greater than those actually expected.

Preferred transgenic plants or plant varieties (obtained by genetic engineering) to be treated according to the invention include all plants which as a result of the genetic modification concerned have received genetic material which provides them with particularly advantageous valuable properties ("traits"). Examples of such properties are improved plant growth, increased tolerance of high or low temperatures, increased tolerance of dry conditions or water or ground salt contents, increased flowering capacity, facilitated harvesting, acceleration of maturity, increased crop yields, higher quality and/or increased nutritional value of the harvested crops and increased storing quality and/or processibility of the harvested crops. Additional and particularly noteworthy examples of such properties are increased resistance of the plants to animal and microbial pests, such as to insects, mites, phytopathogenic fungi, bacteria and/or viruses as well as increased tolerance by the plants of certain herbicidal active compounds. Examples which may be mentioned of transgenic plants are the important crop plants such as cereals (wheat and rice), corn, soybeans, potatoes, cotton, rape and fruit plants (producing apples, pears, citrus fruits and grapes), the crop plants corn, soybeans, potatoes, cotton and rape being particularly noteworthy. Particularly significant properties ("traits") are increased resistance of the plants to insects due to the toxins forming in the plants, and in particular those

which are produced in the plants (hereinafter referred to as"Bt plants") by the genetic material obtained from Bacillus Thuringiensis (e. g. by the genes CrylA (a), CrylA (b), CrylA (c), CryllA, CryIIIB2, Cry9c Cry2Ab, Cry3Bb and CryIF and combinations thereof). Particularly significant properties ("traits") are the increased resistance of plants to fungi, bacteria and viruses due to systemically acquired resistance (SAR), systemin, phytoalexins, elicitors and resistance genes and correspondingly expressed proteins and toxins. Particulary significant properties ("traits") are also increased tolerance by the plants of certain herbicidal active compounds, such as for example imidazolinones, sulphonylureas, glyphosate or phosphinotricine (e. g. the"PAT" gene). The corresponding genes imparting the required properties ("traits") can also occur in the transgenic plants in combination with each other. Examples which may be mentioned of"Bt plants"are varieties of corn, cotton, soybeans and potatoes which are sold under the trade names YIELD GARDt) (e. g. corn, cotton, soybeans), KnockOut (D (e. g. corn), StarLink (e. g. corn), Bollard0 (cotton), Nucotn (g) (cotton) and NewLeaf (g) (potatoes). Examples which may be mentioned of herbicide-tolerant plants are varieties of corn, cotton and soybeans which are sold under the trade names Roundup Ready@ (tolerance of glyphosate, e. g. corn, cotton, soybeans), Liberty Link@ (tolerance of phosphinotricine, e. g. rape), E\410 (tolerance of imidazolinones) and SOTS@ (tolerance of sulphonylureas, e. g. corn). Herbicide- resistant plants (bred for herbicide tolerance in the conventional manner) which may be mentioned are also the varieties (e. g. corn) sold under the name Clearfield). The above statements do of course also apply to any plant varieties which may be developed in the future or launched onto the market in the future and which have the genetic properties ("traits") described above or developed in the future.

According to the invention the above-mentioned plants can be particularly advantageously treated with the compounds of the general formula I or the active compound mixtures according to the invention. The preferred ranges mentioned above for the active compounds or mixtures also apply to the treatment of these plants. Particularly advantageous is the treatment of plants with the compounds or mixtures specifically listed in the present text.

The preparation and the use of the compounds according to the invention is illustrated by the following examples. The invention, however, is not limited to said examples in any way.

Synthesis Example 1

2-Bromo-1-(3, 4-dichloro-5-isothiazolyl) ethanone (2. 5g) and benzyl mercaptan (1. 2g) were added to a solution of sodium hydroxide (0.4g) in water (50ml) and stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The reaction solution was added to water and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (100ml). The organic phase was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and the solvent was distilled off. The obtained residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (eluent hexane: dichloromethane = 1: 1) to obtain 2- (benzylthio)-1- (3, 4-dichloro-5-isothiazolyl) ethanone (2. 5g). nid201. 6345 Synthesis Example 2 A solution of 2-(benzylthio)-1-(3, 4-dichloro-5-isothiazolyl) ethanone (l. Og) and 70% m-chloroperbenzoic acid (1. 0g) in dichloroethane (10ml) was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The reaction solution was added to water and the mixture was extracted with dichloromethane (50ml). The organic phase was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and the solvent was distilled off. The obtained residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (eluent dichloromethane) to obtain 2-(benzylSulfinyl)-1-(3, 4-dichloro-5-isothiazolyl) ethanone (0.7g). mp 89-92°C Synthesis Example 3

A solution of 9-(benzylthio)-1-(3, 4-dichloro-5-isothiazolyl) ethanone (l. Og) and 70% m-chloroperbenzoic acid (1.6g) in dichloroethane (10ml) was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The reaction solution was added to water and the mixture was extracted with dichloromethane (50ml.). The organic phase was dried over an- hydrous magnesium sulfate and the solvent was distilled off. The obtained residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (eluent dichloromethane) to obtain 2- (benzylsulfonyl)-l- (3, 4-dichloro-5-isothiazolyl) ethanone (0. 8g). mp 105-106°C The following Tables 1-3 show compounds according to the invention, which can be synthesized according to the processes described before. The compounds of Synthesis Examples 1-3 are also listed in the Tables.

Table 1

Ci ci N CH2S (O) nR2 O (Ib) Compound No. R2 n mp (°C) or nD20 Ib-1 t3 g Ib-2 lb-3 Ib-3 I/ Ib-4 CH2-CH=CH2 0 Ib-5 CH2-CH=CH2 Ib-6 C2H5 0 1. 6000 Ib-7 C2H5 1 Ib-8 C2H5 2 Ib-9 CH3 0 1. 6157 Ib-10 CH3 Table 1 (continued)

Compound No. R2 n mp (C) or nD Ib-11 CH3 2 \/ Ib-12 0 - Ib-13 1 ) lob-14 2 3 Ib-15 b-15 Ib-16 "0 Ib-17 2 Ib-18 C3H7-iso 0 1. 5782 Ib-19 C3H7-iso I b-20 C3H7-iso 2 I b-21 C4Hg-iso 0 Ib-22 C4Hs-iso Ib-23 C4Hg-iso 2 Ib-24 C5H11-iso 0 Ib-25 C5H11-iSo Table 1 (continued)

Compound No. R n mp (°C) or nD" lob-26 C5H11-iso 2 Ib-27 c3H7-n 0 Ib-28 c3H7-n 1 Ib-29 C3H7-n 2 Ib-30 c4H9-n 0 ib-31 c4H9-n 1 Ib-32 c4H9-n 2 Ib-33 C5H11-n o Ib-34 c5H11-n 1 Ib-35 C5H, l-n 2 Ib-36 CeHis-n 0 Ib-37 c6H13-n 1 Ib-38 CeHi3-n 2 Ib-39 C4H9-sec 0 1. 5792 Ib-40 c4H9-sec 1 Ib-41 C4H9-sec 2 78-79 Ib-42 c7H15-n 0 Ib-43 c7H15-n 1 Ib-44 c7H15-n 2 1 b-45 C8H17-n 0 Ib-46 c8H17-n 1 Ib-47 C8H17-n 2 Ib-48 CgH19-n 0 Ib-49 CgH19-n 1 Ib-50 CgH19-n 2 Table 1 (continued)

Compound No. R2 n mp (°C) ornD20 Ib-51 C10H21-n 0 Ib-52 C10H21-n 1 Ib-53 C10H21-n 2 Ib-54 C11H23-n o Ib-55 C11H23-n 1 Ib-56 C11H23-n 2 Ib-57 C12H25-n 0 Ib-58 C12H25-n 1 Ib-59 C12H25-n 2 Ib-60 C2H4N (CH3) 2 0 Ib-61 C2H4N (CH3) 2 1 Ib-62 C2H4N (CH3) 2 2 Ib-63 C2H4N (C2H5) 2 0 Ib-64 C2H4N (C2H5) 2 1 Ib-65 C2H4N (C2H5) 2 2 Ib-66 CH2CH (CH3) (C2H5) 0 Ib-67 CH2CH (CH3) (C2H5) 1 tb-68 CH2CH (CH3) (C2H5) 2 Ib-69 CH2CO2CH3 0 Ib-70 CH2CO2CH3 1 Ib-71 CH2CO2CH3 2 Ib-72 CH2CO2C2H5 0 Ib-73 CH2CO2C2H5 1 Ib-74 CH2CO2C2H5 2 Ib-75 GH2CH2CO2C2H5 0

Table 1 (continued) Compound No. R2 n mp (C) or nD Ib-76 CH2CH2CO2C2H5 1 Ib-77 CHCH2COCH5 2 tub-78 CH2CH2CO2CH3 0 Ib-79 CH2CH2C02CH3 1 Ib-80 CH2CH2CO2CH3 2 Ib-81 CH (CH3) C02CH5 0 Ib-82 CH (CH3) CO2C2H5 1 Ib-83 CH (CH3) C02C2H5 2 Ib-84 CH2CH2Si (CH3) 3 0 Ib-85 CH2CH2Si (CH3) 3 1 Ib-86 CH2CH2Si (CH3) 3 2 I b-87 C4H9-tert 0 Ib-88 C4H9-tert Ib-89 C4Hg-tert 2 Ib-90 CH2CH2CH2CI 0 Ib-91 CH2CH2CH2C) 1 Ib-92 CH2CH2CH2CI 2 ib-93 CH2CF3 0 Ib-94 CH2CF3 1 Ib-95 CH2CF3 2 Table 1 (continued)

Compound No. R2 n mp (C) or nD Ib-96 CH2CH2SC2H5 0 Ib-97 CH2CH20CH5 0 Ib-98 CH2CH2OC2H5 1 Ib-99 CH2CH2OC2H5 2 Ib-100 CH CH--o Ib-101/=\ CH2CH2< Nib-102 CH2CH2 I b-103 CH2CH2CH2 Ib-1 04/=\ CH2CH2CH--o Ib-105 CH2CH2CH Table 1 (continued)

Compound No. R n mp (C) ornD20 Ib-106 CH-0 0 Ib-107 Cl Ib-108 CHn 2 Ib-109 CH2CH=CHCH3 0 Ib-110 CH2CH=CHCH3 Ib-111 CH2CH=CHC2H5 0 Ib-112 CH2CH=CHC2Hs Ib-113 CH2CH=CHC3H7-n 0 Ib-114 CH2CH=CHC3H7-n Ib-115 CH2CH=CHC5H11-n 0 Ib-116 CH2CH=CHC5H11-n Ib-117 CH2C_CH 0 Ib-118 CH2C-CCH3 0 Ib-119 CH2C-CCH3 Ib-120 CH2C_c2Hs O Table 1 (continued)

Compound No. R n mp (°C) ornD20 Ib-121 CH2C_CC2H5 Ib-122 CH2CH2C--CC2H5 0 Ib-123 CH2CH2C_CC2H5 lob-124 0 Ib-125 Ib-126 ! b-127 CH--< 0 Ib-127 Ib-128 Ib-129 Ib-130 H 0 Table 1 (continued)

Compound No. Rnmp (°C) or np lb-131-0 1 2 Ib-132 < 7 Ib-133 H 0 "Y I b-134 H 1 7 Ib-135 H 2

Table 1 (continued) Compound No. R2 n mp (C) or nD Ib-136 CH2 t 0 Ib-137 CH2t I b-138 CH2 t 2 I b-139 H 0 Ib-140

Table 1 (continued) Compound No. R2 n mp (°C) ornD Ib-141 2 CHZ p, lob-142 1 0 CH CH Ib-143 ICH3/ CH CH I b-144 I H3 2 CH < OCH3 CH lb-145 1 0 CH OCH3 Cl lob-146 1 1 CH <OCH3 CH Ib-147 ICH3 = 2 CH \/OCH3 Table 2

Cl t$ cH2s (o) n<iR3) m CI y Compos nid C S Compound No. (R3) m n mp (C) or nD Ic-1 2, 3-CI2 0 Ic-2 2, 3-CI2 1 Ic-3 2, 3-CI2 2 tic-4 2, 4-(CH3) 2 0 Ic-5 2, 4-(CH3) 2 Ic-6 2, 4-(CH3) 2 2 Ic-7 2, 4-CI2 0 I c-8 2, 4-CI2 Ic-9 2, 4-CI2 2 Ic-10 2, 4-F2 0 Ic-11 2, 4-F2 1 Ic-12 2, 4-F2 2 Ic-13 2, 5-(CH3) 2 0 Ic-14 2, 5-(CH3) 2 ! c-15 2, 5- (CHs) 2 2 Ic-16 2, 5-CI2 0 Ic-17 2, 5-CI2 Ic-18 2, 5-CI2 2 Ic-19 2, 6-(CH3) 2 0 Ic-20 2, 6-(CH3) 2

Table 2 (continued) Compound No. (R3) m n mp (C) or nD 20 Ic-21 2, 6-(CH3) 2 2 Ic-22 2, 6-CI2 0 Ic-23 2, 6-CI2 Ic-24 2, 6-CI2 2 Ic-25 2-CH3 0 105-106 Ic-26 2-CH3 Ic-27 2-CH3 2 125-127 Ic-28 2-CI 0 113-114 Ic-29 2-CI 1 138-140 Ic-30 2-CI 2 143 Ic-31 2-F 0 Ic-32 2-F 1 Ic-33 2-F 2 Ic-34 2-OCH3 0 Ic-35 2-OCH3 Ic-36 2-OCH3 2 Ic-37 3, 4- (CH3) 2 0 Ic-38 3, 4- (CH3) 2 1 Ic-39 3, 4-(CH3) 2 2 Ic-40 3, 4-CI2 0 Ic-41 3, 4-CI2 Ic-42 3, 4-CI2 2 Ic-43 3, 5-CI2 0 Ic-44 3, 5-CI2 Ic-45 3, 5-CI2 2

Table 2 (continued) Compound No. (R3) m n mp (C) or nD Ic-46 3-CF3 0 Ic-47 3-CF3 Ic-48 3-CF3 2 Ic-49 3-CH3 0 90-91 Ic-50 3-CH3 Ic-51 3-CH3 2 95-96 Ic-52 3-CI 0 81-82 Ic-53 3-CI 1 90-91 Ic-54 3-CI 2 143-144 Ic-55 3-F 0 I c-56 3-F 1 Ic-57 3-F 2 Ic-58 3-OCH3 0 Ic-59 3-OCH3 Ic-60 3-OCH3 2 Ic-61 4-NO2 0 Ic-62 4-C4H9-tert 0 Ic-63 4-C4H9-tert 1 Ic-64 4-C4H9-tert 2 Ic-65 4-Br, 2-CH3 0 Ic-66 4-Br, 2-CH3 Ic-67 4-Br, 2-CH3 2 Ic-68 4-Br 0 Ic-69 4-Br Ic-70 4-Br 2

Table 2 (continued) Compound No. (R3) m n mp (°C) or nD20 Ic-71 4-CH3 0 61-63 Ic-72 4-CH3 1 106-108 Ic-73 4-CH3 2 145-146 Ic-74 4-CI 0 74-75 Ic-75 4-CI 1 124-125 Ic-76 4-CI 2 141-142 Ic-77 4-F 0 Ic-78 4-F 1 Ic-79 4-F 2 Ic-80 4-OCF3 0 Ic-81 4-OCF3 Ic-82 4-OCF3 2 Ic-83 4-OCH3 0 Ic-84 4-OCH3 1 Ic-85 4-OCH3 2 Ic-86 4-SCH3 0 Ic-87 F5 0 Ic-88 H 0 Ic-89 H Ic-90 H 2 124-126 Ic-91 3, 5- (CH3) 2 0 Ic-92 3, 5- (CH3) 2 1 Ic-93 3, 5- (CHs) 2 2 ic-94 2-C3H7-iso 0 Ic-95 2-C3H7-iso Table 2 (continued)

Compound No. (R3) m n mp (C) or nD Ic-96 2-C3H7-iso 2 Ic-97 2, 4, 6- (CH3) 3 0 Ic-98 2, 4, 6- (CH3) 3 1 Ic-99 2, 4, 6- (CH3) 3 2 Ic-100 2-C2H5 0 Ic-101 2-C2H5 1 Ic-102 2-C2H5 2 Ic-103 4-C2H5 0 Ic-104 4-C2H5 Ic-105 4-C2H5 2 ic-106 4-C3H7-iso 0 Ic-107 4-C3H7-iso Ic-108 4-C3H7-iso 2 Ic-109 2-CO2CH3 0 Ic-110 2-CO2CH3 ic-111 2-CO2CH3 2 Ic-112 2-CI, 4-F 0 Ic-113 2-CI, 4-F 1 Ic-114 2-CI, 4-F 2 Ic-115 3-CI, 4-F 0 Ic-116 3-CI, 4-F 1 Ic-117 3-CI, 4-F 2 Ic-118 2, 5-(OCH3) 2 0 Ic-119 2, 5- (OCH3) 2 1 Ic-120 2, 5- (OCH3) 2 2

Table 2 (continued) Compound No. (R3) m n mp (C) or nD tic-121 3, 4-(OCH3) 2 0 Ic-1 22 3, 4- (OCH3) 2 1 Ic-123 3, 4- (OCH3) 2 2 Ic-124 4-CF3 0 Ic-1 25 4-CF3 ic-126 4-CF3 2 Ic-127 2, 3, 5, 6-F4 0 Ic-128 2, 3, 5, 6-F4 1 Ic-129 2, 3, 5, 6-F4 2 Ic-130 2-Br 0 Ic-1 c-131 2-Br 1 Ic-132 2-Br 2 Ic-133 3-Br 0 Ic-134 3-Br 1 Ic-135 3-Br 2 Ic-136 2-OCF3 0 tc-137 2-OCFs 1 Ic-138 2-OCF3 2 Ic-139 2, 4, 5-CI3 0 Ic-140 2, 4, 5-CI3 Ic-141 2, 4, 5-CI3 2 Ic-142 2, 4, 6-CI3 0 Ic-143 2, 4, 6-CI3 1 Ic-144 2, 4, 6-CI3 2 Ic-145 2-CH3, 4-C4H9-tert 0 Ic-146 2-CH3, 4-C4H9-tert 1 Ic-147 2-CH3, 4-C4H9-tert 2 Table 3

CI CI N_S l m NI, S I CHS (O) CH2 I (nid) Compound No. (R3) m n mp (C) or nD Id-1 2, 4, 6- (CH3) 3 0 Id-2 2, 4S6-(CH3) 3 Id-3 2, 4, 6-(CH3) 3 2 Id-4 2, 4-CI2 0 1. 6504 Id-5 2, 4-CI2 1 Id-6 2, 4-CI2 2 Id-7 2-CH3 0 Id-8 2-CH3 1 Id-9 2-CH3 2 Id-10 2-CI 0 1. 6479 Id-11 2-CI 1 Id-12 2-CI 2 Id-13 2-F 0 Id-14 2-F 1 Id-15 2-F 2 Id-16 3-CF3 0 Id-17 3-CF3 1 Id-18 3-CF3 2 Id-19 3-CH3 0 Id-20 3-CH3 1

Table 3 (continued) Compound No. (R3) m n mp (C) or nD Id-21 3-CH3 2 Id-22 4-CH3 0 Id-23 4-CH3 1 Id-24 4-CH3 2 Id-25 4-CI 0 1. 6258 Id-26 4-CI 1 Id-27 4-CI 2 Id-28 4-F 0 Id-29 4-F 1 Id-30 4-F 2 Id-31 4-OCF3 0 Id-32 4-OCF3 1 Id-33 4-OCF3 2 Id-34 4-OCH3 0 Id-36 4-OCH3 2 Id-37 4-SCH3 0 Id-38 H 0 1. 6345 Id-39 H 1 89-92 Id-40 H 2 105-106 Id-41 2-CI, 6-F 0 Id-42 2-CI, 6-F 1 Id-43 2-CI, 6-F 2 Id-44 4-C4H9-tert 0 Id-45 4-C4H9-tert 1 Table 3 (continued)

Compound No. (R3) m n mp (C) or nD Id-46 4-C4H9-tert 2 Id-47 3, 4-CI2 0 1. 6502 Id-48 3, 4-CI2 Id-49 3, 4-CI2 2 Id-50 3, 4-(CH3) 2 0 Id-51 3, 4-(CH3) 2 Id-52 3, 4- (CHs) 2 2 Id-53 3-CH3, 4-OCH3 0 Id-54 3-CH3, 4-OCH3 1 Id-55 3-CH3, 4-OCH3 2 Id-56 3-CH3, 4-OC2H5 0 Id-57 3-CH3, 4-OC2H5 Id-58 3-CH3, 4-OC2H5 2 Id-59 3-CI, 4-C4H9-sec 0 Id-60 3-Cl, 4-C4H9-sec 1 Id-61 3-CI, 4-C4Hs-sec 2 Id-62 3-CI, 4-OC2H5 0 Id-63 3-CI, 4-OC2H5 Id-64 3-CI, 4-OC2H5 2 Id-65 3-CI, 4-OCH3 0 Id-66 3-CI, 4-OCH3 Id-67 3-CI, 4-OCH3 2 Id-68 3-Br, 4-OC3H7-iso 0 Id-69 3-Br, 4-OC3H7-iso Id-70 3-Br, 4-OC3H7-iso 2

Table 3 (continued) Compound No. (R3) m n mp (C) or nD Id-71 2, 4, 5-CI3 0 Id-72 2, 4, 5-CI3 Id-73 2, 4, 5-CI3 2 Id-74 2, 4, 5- (CH3) 3 0 Id-75 2, 475- (CH3) 3 1 Id-76 2, 4, 5- (CH3) 3 2 Id-77 2, 6-CI2 0 1. 6479 Id-78 2, 6-CI2 Id-79 2, 6-CI2 2 Id-80 2, 5- (CH3) 2 0 Id-81 2, 5-(CH3) 2 Id-82 2, 5-(CH3) 2 2 Id-83 4-SC2H5 0 Id-84 4-C3H7-n 0 Id-85 4-C3H7-n 1 Id-86 4-C3H7-n 2 Id-87 2, 3, 6-CI3 0 Id-88 2, 3, 6-CI3 Id-89 2, 3, 6-CI3 2 Id-90 3-CI, 4-OC3H7-n 0 Id-91 3-CI, 4-OC3H7-n 1 Id-92 3-CI, 4-OC3H7-n 2 Id-93 4-C3H7-iso 0 Id-94 4-C3H7-iso Id-95 4-C3H7-iso 2

Table 3 (continued) Compound No. (R3) m n mp (°C) or nD Id-96 4-OC4H9-n 0 Id-97 4-OC4H9-n 1 Id-98 4-OC4H9-n 2 Id-99 4-OC2H5 0 Id-100 4-OC2H5 1 Id-101 4-OC2H5 2 Id-102 2-OC2H5, 5-C4H9-tert 0 Id-103 2-OC2H5, 5-C4H9-tert 1 Id-104 2-OC2H5, 5-C4H9-tert 2 Id-105 2-SCH3, 5-CH3 0 Preparation of starting materials Synthesis Example 4

To a solution of 5-acetyl-3, 4-dichloroisothiazole (l. Og) and 48% hydrobromic acid (O. lml) in acetic acid (10ml) bromine (l. Og) was added dropwise under ice cooling.

After addition the temperature was brought to room temperature and the mixture was stirred for further 3 hours. The reaction solution was added to water and the mixture was extracted with diethyl ether (50ml). The organic phase was washed with water, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and then the solvent was distilled off. The obtained residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (eluent hexane: ethyl acetate = 5 : 1) to obtain 2-bromo-l- (3, 4-dichloro-5-isothi- azolyl) ethanone (1. 3g). mp 55-59°C The following Table 4 shows compounds of the formula (II), which can be synthesized according to the process described before. The compound of Synthesis Example 4 is also listed in the Table 4.

Table 4

ci ci I N, CH2X s 1-1 O (II) Compound mp (°C) No. X ornD20 11-1 ci 11-2 Br 55-59 Synthesis Example 5

A mixture of 5- (3, 4-dichloro-5-isothiazolecarbonyl)-2, 2-dimethyl-1, 3-dioxane-4,6- dione (30. 2g), concentrated hydrochloric acid (60ml) and 1,4-dioxane (60ml) is refluxed for 6 hours by heating. The reaction solution was added to water and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (300ml). The organic phase was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and the solvent was distilled off. The obtained residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (eluent hexane: ethyl acetate 1) to obtain 5-acetyl-3, 4-dichloro-isothiazole (18.3g). mp 50-52°C Synthesis Example 6 (V-l) To a solution of 2, 2-dimethyl-1, 3-dioxane-4,6-dione (22. 7g) and 4- (dimethyl- amino) pyridine in dichoromethane (200ml) a soution of 3, 4-dichloro-5-isothiazole- carbonyl chloride (50. 5g) in dichoromethane (50ml) was added dropwise under ice cooling. After addition the temperature was brought to room temperature and the mixture was stirred for further 6 hours. The reaction solution was washed with 2N aqueous hydrochloric acid and then with water. It was then dried over anhydrous

magnesium sulfate and the solvent was distilled off to obtain 5- (3, 4-dichloro-5- isothiazolecarbonyl)-2, 2-dimethyl-1, 3-dioxane-4,6-dione (30. 2g).

'H-NMR (CDCl3, 90MHz) 5 (ppm) : 1.13 (3H, singlet), 1.20 (3H, singlet), 10.50 (1H, broad singlet).

The following Table 5 shows compounds of the formula (V), which can be synthesized according to the process described before. The compound of Synthesis Example 6 is also listed in the Table 5.

Table 5 Compound No. R1 GH3 V-1 J>O CH3 T 0 V-2-CH (CO2CH3) 2 V-3-CH (CO2C2H5) 2

Biological Test Examples Test Example A Test of foliar spray effect against Pyricularia oryzae Preparation of formulations of the compounds tested Active compound: 30-40 parts by weight Carrier : mixture of diatomaceous earth and kaolin (1: 5), 55-65 parts by weight Emulsifier: polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether, 5 parts by weight The above-mentioned amounts of active compound, carrier and emulsifier are crushed and mixed to make a wettable powder. A portion of the wettable powder comprising the prescribed amount of active compound is diluted with water and used for testing.

Testing procedure Seedlings of paddy rice (cultivar: Kusabue) were cultured in plastic pots each having a diameter of 6 cm. The previously prepared solution of the prescribed concentration of active compound was sprayed over the seedlings in the 1.5-2 leaf stage, at a rate of 20 ml per 3 pots. 5 days after the application, a suspension of spores of artificially cultured Pyricularia oryzae sprayed on the test plants once for inoculation, and the plants were kept at 25°C and 100% relative humidity for infection. 7 days after the inoculation, the infection rate per pot was classified and evaluated according to the following standard and the control value (%) was calculated. Phytotoxicity was tested at the same time. This test is an average of the results of 3 pots for 1 section. The evaluation of the infection rate and the calculation method of the control value are identical in each of the Test Examples A-D. Infection rate Percentage of lesion area in (%) 0 0 0.5 less than 2 1 2-less than 5 2 5-less than 10 3 10-less than 20 4 20-less than 40 5 more than 40 Infection rate of treated section \ Control value (%) = \ 1-x 100 Infection rate of untreated section

Test results Compounds No. Ib-41, Ic-26, Ic-27, Ic-28, Ic-29, Ic-51, Ic-52. Ic-53, Ic-71, Ic-72, Ic-73, Ic-74, Ic-75, Ic-90, Id-38 and Id-40 showed control values of more than 80% at an active compound concentration of 500 ppm. No phytotoxicity was observed.

Test Example B Test of water surface application effect against Pyricularia oryzae.

Testing procedure Seedlings of paddy rice (cultivar: Kusabue) in the 1.5 leaf stage were cultivated in plastic pots each having a diameter of 6 cm. The seedlings were then transplanted into irrigated plastic cups each having a diameter of 10 cm, one seedling per pot, and the water just covering the soil. The solution of the prescribed concentration of the active compound, which had been prepared in the same manner as that of Test Example A, was dropped to the water surface with a pipette at a rate of 5 ml per pot.

7 days after the chemical treatment, a suspension of spores of artificially cultured Pryricularia oryzae was sprayed once on the test plants for inoculation, and the plants

were kept at a temperature of 25°C and a relative atmospheric humidity of 100%. Seven days after the inoculation, the infection rate per pot was classified and evaluated, and further the control value (%) was calculated. Phytotoxicity was tested at the same time.

This test is an average of the results of 3 pots for 1 section.

Test results Compounds No. Ic-25, Ic-27, Ic-29, Ic-30, Ic-52, Ic-72, Ic-75, Ic-76, Ic-90 and Id-38 showed control values of more than 80% at an active compound rate of 8 kg/ha. No phytotoxicity was observed.

Test Example C Test for the effect of seed treatment against Pyricularia oryzae Testing procedure Seeds of paddy rice (cultivar: Kasabue) were soaked in a diluted solution of an active compound having the prescribed concentration. 5 ml of such solution, which had been prepared in the same manner as that of Test Example A, were used per 150 grains of seed. Soaking was conducted at a temperature of 20°C for 5 days. After the soaking, the air-dried seeds were sown in 2 plastic pots, each having a diameter of 9 cm, and the seeds were germinated by placing the pots in a warmed nursery box (32°C) for 3 days. After cultivating the seedlings for 2 weeks, the plants reached the 2-2.5 leaf stage. A spore suspension of artificially cultured Pyricularia oryzae was then sprayed on the test plants once, and the plants were kept at a temperature of 25°C and a relative atmospheric humidity of 100% for infection. Seven days after the inoculation, the infection rate per pot was classified and evaluated and the control value (%) was calculated. Phytotoxicity was tested at the same time.

This test is an average of the results of 2 pots for 1 section.

Test results Compounds No. Ib-39, Ib-41, Ic-25, Ic-26, Ic-28, Ic-29, Ic-30, Ic-52, Ic-53, Ic-54, Ic-74, Ic-75, Ic-76, Ic-90, Id-38, Id-39 and Id-40 showed control values of more than 80% at an active compound concentration of 500 ppm. No phytotoxicity was observed.

Test Example D Spraying test against Phytophthora infestans.

Testing procedure About 1 seed of tomato (cultivar: Regina) was sown in each plastic pot of a diameter of 6 cm, and raised in a greenhouse at 15-25°C. The solution obtained by diluting the prepared formulation of the test compound to the prescribed concentration as mentioned above, was sprayed at a rate of 20 ml per 3 pots over seedlings which had reached the 4 leaf stage. Zoosporangia formed on the lesion of tomato plants, which previously had been infected with Phytophthora infestans, were washed down with a brush into distilled water to make a suspension. Five days after the tomato plants had been sprayed with the solution of active compound, the suspension was sprayed on the plants once for inoculation, and the treated plants were kept at a temperature of 20°C and a relative atmospheric humidity of 100%. Four days after the inoculation, the infection rate per pot was classified and the control value (%) was calculated.

Phytotoxicity was tested at the same time.

This test is an average of the results of 3 pots for 1 section.

Test results Compounds No. Ic-49, Ic-72 and Ic-73 showed control values of more than 80% at an active compound concentration of 500 ppm. No phytotoxicity was observed.

Formulation Examples Formulation Example I (Granules) 25 parts by weight of water were added to a mixture of 10 parts by weight of Com- pound No. (Ib-41) according to the invention, 30 parts by weight of bentonite (mont- morillonite), 58 parts by weight of talc and 2 parts by weight of lignin sulphonic acid salt, and the mixture was kneaded thoroughly. The resulting product was granulated by means of an extrusion granulator to form granules having a size of from 10 to 40 meshes. The granules were dried at a temperature between 40 and 50°C.

Formulation Example II (Granules) 95 parts by weight of a clay mineral having a particle size distribution within a range of from 0. 2 to 2 mm were introduced into a rotary mixer. This product was uniformly wetted by spraying thereto under rotation a mixture of 5 parts by weight of Com- pound No. (Ic-25) according to the invention and a liquid diluent. The granules obtained in this manner were dried at a temperature between 40 and 50°C.

Formulation Example III (Emulsifiable Concentrate) An emulsifiable concentrate was prepared by mixing 30 parts by weight of Compound No. (Ic-75) according to the invention, 5 parts by weight of xylene, 8 parts by weight of polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether and 7 parts by weight of calcium alkylbenzene sulphonate with stirring.

Formulation Example IV (Wettable Powder) A wettable powder was prepared by thoroughly mixing 15 parts by weight of Com- pound No. (Ic-90) according to the invention, 80 parts by weight of a mixture (1: 5) of White Carbon (fine powder of hydrated non-crystalline silicon oxide) and powdery clay, 2 parts by weight of sodium alkylbenzene sulphonate and 3 parts by weight of a

condensate of sodium alkylnaphthalene sulphonate and formaldehyde in powdery state.

Formulation Example V (Wettable Granules) 20 parts by weight of Compound No. (Id-38) according to the invention, 30 parts by weight of sodium lignin sulphonate, 15 parts by weight of bentonite and 35 parts by weight of calcined diatomaceous earth powder were thoroughly mixed with water.

The resulting product was granulated by means of extrusion through a 0.3 mm screen. After drying the product, wettable granules were obtained.