a-Cyanoacrylates The present invention relates to a-cyanoacrylates of the formula I where: R1 is ORa wherein Ra is hydrogen, Cl-C6-alkyl which is partially or fully halogenated and/or carries a substituent from the group consisting of hydroxy, cyano, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, three-to six-membered heterocyclyl, Cl-C6-haloalkoxy, Cl-C6-alkylthio, Cl-C6-haloalkylthio, Cl-C6-alkylsulfinyl, C1-C6-halo- alkylsulfinyl, C1-C6-alkylsulfonyl, C1-C6-haloalkyl- sulfonyl, (Cl-C4) alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, (Cl-C6) alkylaminocarbonyl, di (Cl-C6) alkylamino- carbonyl; is branched C3-C6-alkyl, branched C4-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, four-to six- membered heterocyclyl, aryl, phenyl (Cl-C4) alkyl or (Cl-C6) alkylimino; is NRbRC wherein Rb is hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl which may be par- tially or fully halogenated and/or may carry a substituent from the group consisting of hydroxy, cyano, C1-C6-alkoxy, C1-C6-haloalkoxy, C1-C6-alkyl- thio, C1-C6-halogenalkylthio, C1-C6-alkylsulfinyl, C1-C6-halogenalkylsulfinyl, C1-C6-alkylsulfonyl and Cl-C6-halogenalkylsulfonyl is C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl ; Rc is hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl which may be partially or fully halogenated and/or may carry a substituent from the group consisting of hydroxy, cyano, C3-C6-cyclo- alkyl, three-to six-membered heterocyclyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, C1-C6-haloalkoxy, C1-C6-alkylthio, C1-C6-haloalkylthio, C1-C6-alkylsulfinyl, C1-C6-haloalkylsulfinyl, C1-C6-alkylsulfonyl, C1-C6-haloalkylsulfonyl, (Cl-C4) alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, (C1-C6) alkylaminocarbonyl, di (Cl-C6) alkylaminocarbonyl;

is C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, four-to-six-membered heterocyclyl, aryl, phenyl (Cl-C4-) alkyl or (Cl-C6) alkylimino; or Rb and Rc together from a 1,4-butanediyl-, 1, 5-pentanediyl- or 1,6-hexanediyl-chain, wherein each of the chains may carry one or more Cl-C6-alkyl- groups; or is SRd wherein Rd has the some meaning as RC ; R2 is Cl-C6-alkyl which may be partially or fully halogenated and/or may carry a substituent from the group consisting of cyano, Cl-C6-alkoxy, Cl-C6-halo- alkoxy, Cl-C6-alkylthio, Cl-C6-haloalkylthio, Cl-C6-alkylsulfinyl, C1-C6-haloalkylsulfonyl, C1-C6-alkylsulfonyl and Cl-C6-haloalkylsulfonyl ; is C2-C6-alkenyl or C2-C6-alkynyl ; R3 is C2-C6-alkyl or Cl-C6-alkyl which is partially or fully halogenated and/or carries a substituent from the group consisting of cyano, C1-C6-alkoxy, C1-C6-haloalkoxy, C1-C6-alkylthio, C1-C6-haloalkyl- thio, C1-C6-alkylsulfinyl, C1-C6-haloalkylsulfinyl, C1-C6-alkylsulfonyl and Cl-C6-haloalkylsulfonyl ; is C2-C6-alkenyl or C2-C6-alkynyl ; R4 is hydrogen, halogen, cyano or C1-C6-alkyl, and their agriculturally useful salts.

Moreover, the invention relates to processes and intermediates for preparing compounds of formula I, to compositions comprising them and to the use of these derivatives or the compositions comprising them for controlling harmful plants.

α-Cyano-ß-aminoalkylacrylic esters are known from the literature, for example from Hayashi et al., Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn. 40, (1967), 2160-2163. JP 61109752 discloses a, (3-unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives as plant growth regulators.

WO 98/00598 (=US 4,902, 334) discloses herbicidally active crotonic acid derivatives.

However, the herbicidal properties of the prior-art compounds and/or their compatibility with crop plants are not entirely satisfactory. It is therefore an object of the present invention

to provide novel, in particular herbicidally active, compounds having improved properties.

We have found that this object is achieved by the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I and their herbicidal activity.

Furthermore, we have found herbicidal compositions which comprise the compounds I and have very good herbicidal activity. Moreover, we have found processes for preparing these compositions and methods for controlling undesirable vegetation using the compounds I.

The a-cyanoacrylates of formula I are always present as (Z) isomers, i. e. amino group and ester radical are on the same side of the double bond.

Depending on the substitution pattern, the compounds of formula I can contain one or more chiral centers, in which case they are present as enantiomers or mixtures of diastereomers. This invention provides both the pure enantiomers or diastereomers and mixtures thereof.

The compounds of formula I can also be present in the form of their agriculturally useful salts, where the type of salt is usually immaterial. In general, suitable salts are the salts of those cations or the acid addition salts of those acids whose cations and anions, respectively, do not adversely affect the herbicidal activity of the compounds I.

Suitable cations are, in particular, ions of the alkali metals, preferably lithium, sodium and potassium, of the alkaline earth metals, preferably calcium and magnesium, and of the transition metals, preferably manganese, copper, zinc and iron, and also ammonium, where here, if desired, one to four hydrogen atoms may be replaced by Cl-C4-alkyl, hydroxy-Cl-C4-alkyl,.

Cl-C4-alkoxy-Cl-C4-alkyl, hydroxy-Cl-C4-alkoxy-Cl-C4-alkyl, phenyl or benzyl, preferably ammonium, dimethylammonium, diiso- propylammonium, tetramethylammonium, tetrabutylammonium, 2- (2-hydroxyeth-l-oxy) eth-1-ylammonium, di- (2-hydrox- yeth-1-yl) ammonium, trimethylbenzylammonium, furthermore phosphonium ions, sulfonium ions, preferably tri (Cl-C4-alkyl) sulfonium, and sulfoxonium ions, preferably tri (Cl-C4-alkyl) sulfoxonium.

Anions of useful acid addition salts are primarily chloride, bromide, fluoride, hydrogen sulfate, sulfate, dihydrogen phosphate, hydrogen phosphate, nitrate, hydrogen carbonate,

carbonate, hexafluorosilicate, hexafluorophosphate, benzoate, and also the anions of Cl-C4-alkanoic acids, preferably formate, acetate, propionate and butyrate.

The organic moieties mentioned for the substituents R1-R7 and Ra-Rd are collective terms for individual enumerations of the individual group members. All hydrocarbon chains, i. e. all alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, cyanoalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, alkylthio, haloalkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, haloalkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl and haloalkylsulfonyl moieties can be straight-chain or branched unless indicated otherwise. Unless indicated otherwise, halogenated substituents preferably carry one to five identical or different halogen atoms. The term halogen represents in each case fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.

Examples of other meanings are: - Cl-C4-alkyl as well as the alkyl parts of (Cl-C4)-alkoxy- carbonyl and phenyl (Cl-C4) alkyl : for example methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, butyl, 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl and 1, 1-dimethylethyl ; - Cl-C6-alkyl as well as the alkyl parts of (Cl-C6) alkyl aminocarbonyl, di (C1-C6) alkylaminocarbonyl and Cl-C6-alkylimino : Cl-C4-alkyl as mentioned above, and also, for example, pentyl, 1-methylbutyl, 2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl, 2, 2-dimethylpropyl, 1-ethylpropyl, hexyl, 1, 1-dimethylpropyl, 1, 2-dimethylpropyl, 1-methylpentyl, 2-methylpentyl, 3-methylpentyl, 4-methylpentyl, 1, 1-dimethylbutyl, 1, 2-dimethylbutyl, 1,3-dimethylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylbutyl, 2,3-dimethylbutyl, 3,3-dimethylbutyl, 1-ethylbutyl, 2-ethylbutyl, 1,1, 2-trimethylpropyl, 1-ethyl-l-methylpropyl and l-ethyl-3-methylpropyl ; -branched C3-C6-alkyl : a branched saturated hydrocarbon having 3 to 6 carbon atoms, such as, for example, 1-methylethyl, 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl, 1, 1-dimethylethyl, 1-methylbutyl, 2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, 1-ethylpropyl, 1, 1-dimethylpropyl, 1,2-dimethylpropyl, 1-methylpentyl, 2-methylpentyl, 3-methylpentyl, 4-methylpentyl, 1, 1-dimethylbutyl, 1, 2-dimethylbutyl, 1, 3-dimethylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylbutyl, 2,3-dimethylbutyl, 3,3-dimethylbutyl, 1-ethylbutyl, 2-ethylbutyl, 1,1, 2-trimethylpropyl, l-ethyl-l-methylpropyl and l-ethyl-3-methylpropyl ;

C3-C6-cycloalkyl : a monocyclic saturated hydrocarbon having 3 to 6 ring members, such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl, four-to six-membered heterocyclyl: a monocyclic, saturated or partial unsaturated cycle having four to six ring members, which comprises apart from carbon atoms one to four nitrogen atoms, or one or two oxygen atoms, or one or two sulfur atom, or one to three nitrogen atoms and an oxygen atom, or one to three nitrogen atoms and a sulfur atom, or one sulfur and one oxygen atom, for example: three-or four-membered heterocycles like 2-oxetanyl, 3-oxetanyl, 2-thiethanyl, 3-thiethanyl, 1-azetidinyl, 2-azetidinyl, 1-azetinyl, 2-azetinyl; five membered saturated heterocycles like 2-tetrahydro- furanyl, 3-tetrahydrofuranyl, 2-tetrahydrothienyl, 3-tetra- hydrothienyl, l-pyrrolidinyl, 2-pyrrolidinyl, 3-pyrrolidinyl, 3-isoxazolidinyl, 4-isoxazolidinyl, 5-isoxazolidinyl, 2-iso- thiazolidinyl, 3-isothiazolidinyl, 4-isothiazolidinyl, 5-iso- thiazolidinyl, 1-pyrazolidinyl, 3-pyrazolidinyl, 4-pyrazolidinyl, 5-pyrazolidinyl, 2-oxazolidinyl, 4-oxa- zolidinyl, 5-oxazolidinyl, 2-thiazolidinyl, 4-thiazolidinyl, 5-thiazolidinyl, 1-imidazolidinyl, 2-imidazolidinyl, 4-imidazolidinyl, 3-oxazolidinyl, 1,2, 4-oxadiazolidin-3-yl, 1, 2,4-oxadiazolidin-5-yl, 3-thiazolidinyl, 1,2, 4-thiadia- zolidin-3-yl, 1, 2,4-thiadiazolidin-5-yl, 1,2, 4-tri- azolidin-3-yl, 1, 2,4-oxadiazolidin-2-yl, 1,2, 4-oxadia- zolidin-4-yl, 1, 3,4-oxadiazolidin-2-yl, 1, 2,4-thiadia- zolidin-2-yl, 1, 2,4-thiadiazolidin-4-yl, 1,3, 4-thiadia- zolidin-2-yl, 1,2, 4-triazolidin-1-yl, 1, 3, 4-triazolidin-2-yl ; five membered partial unsaturated heterocycles like 2,3-dihydrofur-2-yl, 2,3-dihydrofur-3-yl, 2,4-dihydro- fur-2-yl, 2,4-dihydrofur-3-yl, dioxolan-2-yl, 1,3-di- oxol-2-yl, 2,3-dihydrothien-2-yl, 2,3-dihydrothien-3-yl, 2,4-dihydrothien-2-yl, 2,4-dihydrothien-3-yl, 4,5-dihydropyr- rol-l-yl, 4,5-dihydropyrrol-2-yl, 4,5-dihydropyrrol-3-yl, 2, 5-dihydropyrrol-1-yl, 2,5-dihydropyrrol-2-yl, 2, 5-dihydro- pyrrol-3-yl, 2, 3-dihydroisoxazol-1-yl, 2,3-dihydroisoxa- zol-3-yl, 2,3-dihydroisoxazol-4-yl, 2,3-dihydroisoxazol-5-yl, 2,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl, 2,5-dihydroisoxazol-4-yl, 2,5-di- hydroisoxazol-5-yl, 4,5-dihydroisoxazol-2-yl, 4,5-dihydroiso- xazol-3-yl, 4,5-dihydroisoxazol-4-yl, 4,5-dihydroiso- xazol-5-yl, 2, 3-dihydroisothiazol-1-yl, 2,3-dihydroisothia- zol-3-yl, 2,3-dihydroisothiazol-4-yl, 2,3-dihydroisothia-

zol-5-yl, 2,5-dihydroisothiazol-3-yl, 2,5-dihydroisothia- zol-4-yl, 2,5-dihydroisothiazol-5-yl, 4,5-dihydroisothia- zol-l-yl, 4,5-dihydroisothiazol-3-yl, 4,5-dihydroisothia- zol-4-yl, 4,5-dihydroisothiazol-5-yl, 2,3-dihydro- pyrazol-1-yl, 2,3-dihydropyrazol-2-yl, 2, 3-dihydro- pyrazol-3-yl, 2,3-dihydropyrazol-4-yl, 2,3-dihydro- pyrazol-5-yl, 3, 4-dihydropyrazol-1-yl, 3, 4-dihydro- pyrazol-3-yl, 3,4-dihydropyrazol-4-yl, 3,4-dihydro- pyrazol-5-yl, 4, 5-dihydropyrazol-1-yl, 4,5-dihydro- pyrazol-3-yl, 4,5-dihydropyrazol-4-yl, 4,5-dihydro- pyrazol-5-yl, 2, 3-dihydroimidazol-1-yl, 2,3-dihydroimida- zol-2-yl, 2, 3-dihydroimidazol-3-yl, 2,3-dihydroimidazol-4-yl, 2,3-dihydroimidazol-5-yl, 4, 5-dihydroimidazol-1-yl, 4,5-dihy- droimidazol-2-yl, 4,5-dihydroimidazol-4-yl, 4,5-dihydroimida- zol-5-yl, 2, 5-dihydroimidazol-1-yl, 2,5-dihydroimidazol-2-yl, 2,5-dihydroimidazol-4-yl, 2,5-dihydroimidazol-5-yl, 2,3-dihydrooxazol-2-yl, 2, 3-dihydrooxazol-3-yl, 2,3-dihydro- oxazol-4-yl, 2,3-dihydrooxazol-5-yl, 3,4-dihydrooxazol-2-yl, 3, 4-dihydrooxazol-3-yl, 3,4-dihydrooxazol-4-yl, 3,4-dihydro- oxazol-5-yl, 2, 3-dihydrothiazol-2-yl, 2,3-dihydrothia- zol-3-yl, 2, 3-dihydrothiazol-4-yl, 2,3-dihydrothiazol-5-yl, 3,4-dihydrothiazol-2-yl, 3,4-dihydrothiazol-3-yl, 3,4-dihy- drothiazol-4-yl, 3, 4-dihydrothiazol-5-yl, 3,4-dihydrothia- zol-2-yl, 3,4-dihydrothiazol-3-yl, 3,4-dihydrothiazol-4-yl ; six-membered saturated heterocycles like 1-piperidinyl, 2-piperidinyl, 3-piperidinyl, 4-piperidinyl, 1, 3-dioxan-5-yl, 1,4-dioxanyl, 1, 3-dithian-5-yl, 1,3-dithianyl, 1,3-oxa- thian-5-yl, 1, 4-oxathianyl, 2-tetrahydropyranyl, 3-tetrahydo- pyranyl, 4-tetrahydropyranyl, 2-tetrahydrothiopyranyl, 3-tetrahydrothiopyranyl, 4-tetrahydrothiopyranyl, 1-hexahydro- pyridazinyl, 3-hexahydropyridazinyl, 4-hexahydropyridazinyl, 1-hexahydropyrimidinyl, 2-hexahydropyrimidinyl, 4-hexahydro- pyrimidinyl, 5-hexahydropyrimidinyl, 1-piperazinyl, 2-piperazinyl, 1,3, 5-hexahydrotriazin-1-yl, 1,3, 5-hexahydro- triazin-2-yl, 1,2, 4-hexahydrotriazin-1-yl, 1,2, 4-hexahydro- triazin-3-yl, tetrahydro-1, 3-oxazin-1-yl, tetrahydro-1, 3-oxa- zin-2-yl, tetrahydro-1, 3-oxazin-6-yl, 1-morpholinyl, 2-morpholinyl, 3-morpholinyl ; six-membered partial unsaturated heterocycles like 2H- pyran-2-yl, 2H-pyran-3-yl, 2H-pyran-4-yl, 2H-pyran-5-yl, 2H- pyran-6-yl, 2H-thiopyran-2-yl, 2H-thiopyran-3-yl, 2H-thiopy- ran-4-yl, 2H-thiopyran-5-yl, 2H-thiopyran-6-yl, 5,6-di- hydro-4H-1, 3-oxazin-2-yl.

three-to six-membered heterocyclyl: four-to six-membered heterocyclyl as mentioned above and also a monocyclic, satu- rated or partial unsaturated cycle having three ring members, which comprises apart from carbon atoms one nitrogen atom, one oxygen atom or one sulfur atom, for example 2-oxiranyl, 2-aziridinyl, 2-thiiranyl.

C2-C6-alkenyl : for example ethenyl, 1-propenyl, 2-propenyl, 1-methylethenyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 1-methyl-l-propenyl, 2-methyl-l-propenyl, l-methyl-2-propenyl, 2-methyl-2-propenyl, 1-pentenyl, 2-pentenyl, 3-pentenyl, 4-pentenyl, 1-methyl-l-butenyl, 2-methyl-l-butenyl, 3-methyl-l-butenyl, 1-methyl-2-butenyl, 2-methyl-2-butenyl, 3-methyl-2-butenyl, 1-methyl-3-butenyl, 2-methyl-3-butenyl, 3-methyl-3-butenyl, 1, 1-dimethyl-2-propenyl, 1, 2-dimethyl-l-propenyl, 1,2-dimethyl-2-propenyl, 1-ethyl-l-propenyl, l-ethyl-2-propenyl, 1-hexenyl, 2-hexenyl, 3-hexenyl, 4-hexenyl, 5-hexenyl, 1-methyl-l-pentenyl, 2-methyl-l-pentenyl, 3-methyl-l-pentenyl, 4-methyl-l-pentenyl, 1-methyl-2-pentenyl, 2-methyl-2-pentenyl, 3-methyl-2-pentenyl, 4-methyl-2-pentenyl, 1-methyl-3-pentenyl, 2-methyl-3-pentenyl, 3-methyl-3-pentenyl, 4-methyl-3-pentenyl, 1-methyl-4-pentenyl, 2-methyl-4-pentenyl, 3-methyl-4-pentenyl, 4-methyl-4-pentenyl, 1, 1-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 1, 1-dimethyl-3-butenyl, 1, 2-dimethyl-1-butenyl, 1, 2-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 1, 2-dimethyl-3-butenyl, 1, 3-dimethyl-1-butenyl, 1,3-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 1,3-dimethyl-3-butenyl, 2,2-dimethyl-3-butenyl, 2, 3-dimethyl-1-butenyl, 2,3-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 2,3-dimethyl-3-butenyl, 3, 3-dimethyl-l-butenyl, 3,3-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 1-ethyl-l-butenyl, 1-ethyl-2-butenyl, l-ethyl-3-butenyl, 2-ethyl-l-butenyl, 2-ethyl-2-butenyl, 2-ethyl-3-butenyl, 1,1, 2-trimethyl-2-propenyl, l-ethyl-l-methyl-2-propenyl, 1-ethyl-2-methyl-1-propenyl and l-ethyl-2-methyl-2-propenyl ; branched C4-C6-alkenyl : for example 1-methyl-l-propenyl, 2-methyl-l-propenyl, 1-methyl-2-propenyl, 2-methyl-2-propenyl, 1-methyl-l-butenyl, 2-methyl-l-butenyl, 3-methyl-l-butenyl, 1-methyl-2-butenyl, 2-methyl-2-butenyl, 3-methyl-2-butenyl, 1-methyl-3-butenyl, 2-methyl-3-butenyl, 3-methyl-3-butenyl, 1, l-dimethyl-2-propenyl, 1, 2-dimethyl-l-propenyl, 1,2-dimethyl-2-propenyl, 1-ethyl-lpropenyl, l-ethyl-2-propenyl, 1-methyl-l-pentenyl,

2-methyl-l-pentenyl, 3-methyl-l-pentenyl, 4-methyl-l-pentenyl, 1-methyl-2-pentenyl, 2-methyl-2-pentenyl, 3-methyl-2-pentenyl, 4-methyl-2-pentenyl, 1-methyl-3-pentenyl, 2-methyl-3-pentenyl, 3-methyl-3-pentenyl, 4-methyl-3-pentenyl, 1-methyl-4-pentenyl, 2-methyl-4-pentenyl, 3-methyl-4-pentenyl, 4-methyl-4-pentenyl, 1, 1-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 1, 1-dimethyl-3-butenyl, 1, 2-dimethyl-l-butenyl, 1, 2-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 1,2-dimethyl-3-butenyl, 1, 3-dimethyl-l-butenyl, 1,3-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 1, 3-dimethyl-3-butenyl, 2,2-dimethyl-3-butenyl, 2, 3-dimethyl-l-butenyl, 2,3-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 2, 3-dimethyl-3-butenyl, 3, 3-dimethyl-l-butenyl, 3,3-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 1-ethyl-l-butenyl, 1-ethyl-2-butenyl, l-ethyl-3-butenyl, 2-ethyl-l-butenyl, 2-ethyl-2-butenyl, 2-ethyl-3-butenyl, 1,1, 2-trimethyl-2-propenyl, l-ethyl-l-methyl-2-propenyl, 1-ethyl-2-methyl-1-propenyl and l-ethyl-2-methyl-2-propenyl ; C3-C6-alkynyl: for example 1-propynyl, 2-propynyl, 1-butynyl, 2-butynyl, 3-butynyl, 1-methyl-2-propynyl, 1-pentynyl, 2-pentynyl, 3-pentynyl, 4-pentynyl, 1-methyl-2-butynyl, l-methyl-3-butynyl, 2-methyl-3-butynyl, 3-methyl-1-butynyl, 1, 1-dimethyl-2-propynyl, 1-ethyl-2-propynyl, l-hexynyl, 2-hexynyl, 3-hexynyl, 4-hexynyl, 5-hexynyl, l-methyl-2-pentynyl, 1-methyl-3-pentynyl, l-methyl-4-pentynyl, 2-methyl-3-pentynyl, 2-methyl-4-pentynyl, 3-methyl-1-pentynyl, 3-methyl-4-pentynyl, 4-methyl-1-pentynyl, 4-methyl-2-pentynyl, 1, 1-dimethyl-2-butynyl, 1,1-dimethyl-3-butynyl, 1, 2-dimethyl-3-butynyl, 2,2-dimethyl-3-butynyl, 3, 3-dimethyl-1-butynyl, l-ethyl-2-butynyl, 1-ethyl-3-butynyl, 2-ethyl-3-butynyl and l-ethyl-l-methyl-2-propynyl ; C2-C6-alkynyl : C3-C6-alkynyl as mentioned above, and also ethynyl; Cl-C6-alkoxy : for example methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, 1-methylethoxy, butoxy, 1-methylpropoxy, 2-methylpropoxy, 1, 1-dimethylethoxy, pentoxy, 1-methylbutoxy, 2-methylbutoxy, 3-methoxylbutoxy, 1, 1-dimethylpropoxy, 1, 2-dimethylpropoxy, 2, 2-dimethylpropoxy, 1-ethylpropoxy, hexoxy, 1-methylpentoxy, 2-methylpentoxy, 3-methylpentoxy, 4-methylpentoxy, 1, 1-dimethylbutoxy, 1, 2-dimethylbutoxy, 1,3-dimethylbutoxy, 2, 2-dimethylbutoxy, 2,3-dimethylbutoxy, 3,3-dimethylbutoxy,

1-. ethylbutoxy, 2-ethylbutoxy, 1,1, 2-trimethylpropoxy, 1,2, 2-trimethylpropoxy, 1-ethyl-l-methylpropoxy and l-ethyl-2-methylpropoxy ; Cl-C6-haloalkoxy : a Cl-C6-alkoxy radical as mentioned above which is partially or fully substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine and/or iodine, i. e. , for example, fluoromethoxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, chlorodifluoromethoxy, bromodifluoromethoxy, 2-fluoroethoxy, 2-chloroethoxy, 2-bromomethoxy, 2-iodoethoxy, 2,2-difluoroethoxy, 2,2, 2-trifluoroethoxy, 2-chloro-2-fluoroethoxy, 2-chloro-2,2-difluoroethoxy, 2,2-dichloro-2-fluoroethoxy, 2,2, 2-trichloroethoxy, pentafluoroethoxy, 2-fluoropropoxy, 3-fluoropropoxy, 2-chloropropoxy, 3-chloropropoxy, 2-bromopropoxy, 3-bromopropoxy, 2,2-difluoropropoxy, 2,3-difluoropropoxy, 2,3-dichloropropoxy, 3,3, 3-trifluoropropoxy, 3,3, 3-trichloropropoxy, 2,2, 3,3, 3-pentafluoropropoxy, heptafluoropropoxy, 1- (fluoromethyl)-2-fluoroethoxy, 1- (chloromethyl)-2-chloroethoxy, 1- (bromomethyl)-2-bromoethoxy, 4-fluorobutoxy, 4-chlorobutoxy, 4-bromobutoxy, nonafluorobutoxy, 5-fluoropentoxy, 5-chloropentoxy, 5-bromopentoxy, 5-iodopentoxy, undecafluoropentoxy, 6-fluorohexoxy, 6-chlorohexoxy, 6-bromohexoxy, 6-iodohexoxy and dodecafluorohexoxy; Cl-C6-alkylthio : for example methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, 1-methylethylthio, butylthio, 1-methylpropylthio, 2-methylpropylthio, 1, 1-dimethylethylthio, pentylthio, 1-methylbutylthio, 2-methylbutylthio, 3-methylbutylthio, 2,2-dimethylpropylthio, 1-ethylpropylthio, hexylthio, 1, 1-dimethylpropylthio, 1,2-dimethylpropylthio, 1-methylpentylthio, 2-methylpentylthio, 3-methylpentylthio, 4-methylpentylthio, 1, 1-dimethylbutylthio, 1,2-dimethylbutylthio, 1,3-dimethylbutylthio, 2,2-dimethylbutylthio, 2,3-dimethylbutylthio, 3,3-dimethylbutylthio, 1-ethylbutylthio, 2-ethylbutylthio, 1,1, 2-trimethylpropylthio, 1, 2,2-trimethylpropylthio, 1-ethyl-l-methylpropylthio and l-ethyl-2-methylpropylthio ; Cl-C6-haloalkylthio : a Cl-C6-alkylthio radical as mentioned above which is partially or fully substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine and/or iodine, i. e. , for example, fluoromethylthio, difluoromethylthio, trifluoromethylthio, chlorodifluoromethylthio, bromodifluoromethylthio, 2-fluoroethylthio, 2-chloroethylthio, 2-bromoethylthio,

2-iodoethylthio, 2,2-difluoroethylthio, 2,2, 2-trifluoroethylthio, 2,2, 2-trichloroethylthio, 2-chloro-2-fluoroethylthio, 2-chloro-2,2-difluoroethylthio, 2, 2-dichloro-2-fluoroethylthio, pentafluoroethylthio, 2-fluoropropylthio, 3-fluoropropylthio, 2-chloropropylthio, 3-chloropropylthio, 2-bromopropylthio, 3-bromopropylthio, 2,2-difluoropropylthio, 2,3-difluoropropylthio, 2,3-dichloropropylthio, 3,3, 3-trifluoropropylthio, 3,3, 3-trichloropropylthio, 2,2, 3,3, 3-pentafluoropropylthio, heptafluoropropylthio, 1- (fluoromethyl)-2-fluoroethylthio, 1- (chloromethyl)-2-chloroethylthio, 1- (bromomethyl)-2-bromoethylthio, 4-fluorobutylthio, 4-chlorobutylthio, 4-bromobutylthio, nonafluorobutylthio, 5-fluoropentylthio, 5-chloropentylthio, 5-bromopentylthio, 5-iodopentylthio, undecafluoropentylthio, 6-fluorohexylthio, 6-chlorohexylthio, 6-bromohexylthio, 6-iodohexylthio and dodecafluorohexylthio; Cl-C6-alkylsulfinyl (C1-C6-alkyl-S (=0)-) : for example methylsulfinyl, ethylsulfinyl, propylsulfinyl, 1-methylethylsulfinyl, butylsulfinyl, 1-methylpropylsulfinyl, 2-methylpropylsulfinyl, 1, l-dimethylethylsulfinyl, pentylsulfinyl, 1-methylbutylsulfinyl, 2-methylbutylsulfinyl, 3-methylbutylsulfinyl, 2,2-dimethylpropylsulfinyl, 1-ethylpropylsulfinyl, 1, 1-dimethylpropylsulfinyl, 1,2-dimethylpropylsulfinyl, hexylsulfinyl, 1-methylpentylsulfinyl, 2-methylpentylsulfinyl, 3-methylpentylsulfinyl, 4-methylpentylsulfinyl, 1, 1-dimethylbutylsulfinyl, 1,2-dimethylbutylsulfinyl, 1,3-dimethylbutylsulfinyl, 2,2-dimethylbutylsulfinyl, 2,3-Dimethylbutylsulfinyl, 3,3-dimethylbutylsulfinyl, 1-ethylbutylsulfinyl, 2-ethylbutylsulfinyl, 1,1, 2-trimethylpropylsulfinyl, 1,2, 2-trimethylpropylsulfinyl, 1-ethyl-l-methylpropylsulfinyl and l-ethyl-2-methylpropyl- sulfinyl; Cl-C6-haloalkylsulfinyl : a Cl-C6-alkylsulfinyl radical as mentioned above which is partially or fully substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine and/or iodine, i. e. , for example, fluoromethylsulfinyl, difluoromethylsulfinyl, trifluoromethylsulfinyl, chlorodifluoromethylsulfinyl, bromodifluoromethylsulfinyl, 2-fluoroethylsulfinyl, 2-chloroethylsulfinyl, 2-bromoethylsulfinyl, 2-iodoethylsulfinyl, 2,2-difluoroethylsulfinyl, 2,2, 2-trifluoroethylsulfinyl, 2,2, 2-trichloroethylsulfinyl, 2-chloro-2-fluoroethylsulfinyl, 2-chloro-2, 2-difluoroethyl- sulfinyl, 2, 2-dichloro-2-fluoroethylsulfinyl,

pentafluoroethylsulfinyl, 2-fluoropropylsulfinyl, 3-fluoropropylsulfinyl, 2-chloropropylsulfinyl, 3-chloropropylsulfinyl, 2-bromopropylsulfinyl, 3-bromopropylsulfinyl, 2,2-difluoropropylsulfinyl, 2,3-difluoropropylsulfinyl, 2,3-dichloropropylsulfinyl, 3,3, 3-trifluoropropylsulfinyl, 3,3, 3-trichloropropylsulfinyl, 2,2, 3,3, 3-pentafluoropropylsulfinyl, heptafluoropropylsulfinyl, <BR> <BR> <BR> 1- (fluoromethyl)-2-fluoroethylsulfinyl,<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 1- (chloromethyl)-2-chloroethylsulfinyl, 1- (bromomethyl)-2-bromoethylsulfinyl, 4-fluorobutylsulfinyl, 4-chlorobutylsulfinyl, 4-bromobutylsulfinyl, nonafluorobutylsulfinyl, 5-fluoropentylsulfinyl, 5-chloropentylsulfinyl, 5-bromopentylsulfinyl, 5-iodopentylsulfinyl, undecafluoropentylsulfinyl, 6-fluorohexylsulfinyl, 6-chlorohexylsulfinyl, 6-bromohexylsulfinyl, 6-iodohexylsulfinyl and dodecafluorohexylsulfinyl; Cl-C6-alkylsulfonyl (Cl-C6-alkyl-S (=O) 2-) : for example methylsulfonyl, ethylsulfonyl, propylsulfonyl, 1-methylethylsulfonyl, butylsulfonyl, 1-methylpropylsulfonyl, 2-methylpropylsulfonyl, 1, 1-dimethylethylsulfonyl, pentylsulfonyl, 1-methylbutylsulfonyl, 2-methylbutylsulfonyl, 3-methylbutylsulfonyl, 1, 1-dimethylpropylsulfonyl, 1,2-dimethylpropylsulfonyl, 2,2-dimethylpropylsulfonyl, 1-ethylpropylsulfonyl, hexylsulfonyl, 1-methylpentylsulfonyl, 2-methylpentylsulfonyl, 3-methylpentylsulfonyl, 4-methylpentylsulfonyl, 1, 1.-dimethylbutylsulfonyl, 1,2-dimethylbutylsulfonyl, 1,3-dimethylbutylsulfonyl, 2,2-dimethylbutylsulfonyl, 2,3-dimethylbutylsulfonyl, 3,3-dimethylbutylsulfonyl, 1-ethylbutylsulfonyl, 2-ethylbutylsulfonyl, 1,1, 2-trimethylpropylsulfonyl, 1,2, 2-trimethylpropylsulfonyl, 1-ethyl-l-methylpropylsulfonyl and 1-ethyl-2-methylpropylsulfonyl ; Cl-C6-haloalkylsulfonyl : a Cl-C6-alkylsulfonyl radical as mentioned above which is partially or fully substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine and/or iodine, i. e. , for example, fluoromethylsulfonyl, difluoromethylsulfonyl, trifluoromethylsulfonyl, chlorodifluoromethylsulfonyl, bromodifluoromethylsulfonyl, 2-fluoroethylsulfonyl, 2-chloroethylsulfonyl, 2-bromoethylsulfonyl, 2-iodoethylsulfonyl, 2,2-difluoroethylsulfonyl, 2,2, 2-trifluoroethylsulfonyl, 2-chloro-2-fluoroethylsulfonyl, 2-chloro-2,2-difluoroethylsulfonyl, 2,2-dichloro-2-fluoroethylsulfonyl,

2,2, 2-trichloroethylsulfonyl, pentafluoroethylsulfonyl, 2-fluoropropylsulfonyl, 3-fluoropropylsulfonyl, 2-chloropropylsulfonyl, 3-chloropropylsulfonyl, 2-bromopropylsulfonyl, 3-bromopropylsulfonyl, 2,2-difluoropropylsulfonyl, 2,3-difluoropropylsulfonyl, 2,3-dichloropropylsulfonyl, 3,3, 3-trifluoropropylsulfonyl, 3,3, 3-trichloropropylsulfonyl, 2,2, 3,3, 3-pentafluoropropylsulfonyl, heptafluoropropylsulfonyl, 1- (fluoromethyl)-2-fluoroethylsulfonyl,<BR> 1- (chloromethyl)-2-chloroethylsulfonyl, 1- (bromomethyl)-2-bromoethylsulfonyl, 4-fluorobutylsulfonyl, 4-chlorobutylsulfonyl, 4-bromobutylsulfonyl, nonafluorobutylsulfonyl, 5-fluoropentylsulfonyl, 5-chloropentylsulfonyl, 5-bromopentylsulfonyl, 5-iodopentylsulfonyl, 6-fluorohexylsulfonyl, 6-bromohexylsulfonyl, 6-iodohexylsulfonyl and dodecafluorohexylsulfonyl.

Phenyl which may be annulated with one or two more phenyl rings, for example phenyl, naphthyl and anthracenyl.

In a particular embodiment, the variables of the compounds of formula I have the following meanings, which meanings are, both on their own and in combination with one another, particular embodiments of the compounds of formula I: Preference is given to the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein R1 is ORa.

Preference is also given to the (X-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein R1 is oRa and Ra is Cl-C2-alkyl which is partially or fully halogenated and/or carries a substituent from the group consisting of cyano, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, three-to six-membered heterocyclyl, Cl-C6-haloalkoxy, Cl-C6-alkylthio, Cl-C6-haloalkylthio, Cl-C6-alkylsulfinyl, Cl-C6-halogen- alkylsulfinyl, Cl-C6-alkylsulfonyl and Cl-C6-halogen- alkylsulfonyl ; is branched C3-C6-alkyl, branched C4-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl or four-to six-membered heterocyclyl.

Preference is given to the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein R1 is ORa and

Ra is branched C3-C6-alkyl ; particluarly preferably branched C3-C4-alkyl ; with particular preference 1-methylethyl, 2-methyl- propyl or 1, 1-dimethylethyl.

Preference is also given to the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein Rl is ORa and Ra is Cl-C6-alkyl which is partially or fully halogenated and/or carries a substituent from the group consisting of cyclopropyl, C2-C6-alkenyl and C2-C6-alkynyl ; particularly preferably branched Cl-C4-alkyl which is partially or fully halogenated; with particular preference ethyl or n-propyl which is partially or fully halogenated.

Preference is also given to the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein Rl is ORa and Ra is C3-C6-cycloalkyl or four-to six-membered hetero- cyclyl ; particularly preferably C3-C5-cycloalkyl or four-to six-membered heterocyclyl; with particular preference cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl or 3-oxetanyl.

Preference is also given to the α-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein R1 is ORa and R2 is Cl-C6-alkyl which may be partially or fully halogenated and/or may carry a substituent from the group consisting of Cl-C6-alkoxy ; particularly preferably Cl-C4-alkyl ; with particular preference methyl or ethyl.

Preference is also given to the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein Rl is ORa and R2 is Cl-C6-alkyl ; with particular preference ethyl or n-propyl.

Preference is also given to the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein R1 is ORa and R3 is Cl-C6-alkyl ; particularly preferably C1-C4-alkyl ;

with particular preference ethyl.

Preference is also given to the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein Rl is ORa and R3 is Cl-C6-alkyl which is partially or fully halogenated and/or carries a substituent from the group consisting of Cl-C6-alkoxy ; particularly preferably Cl-C4-alkyl which is partially or fully halogenated and/or carries a substituent from the group consisting of Cl-C6-alkoxy ; with particular preference methyl or ethyl which is partially or fully halogenated and/or carries a substituent from the group consisting of Cl-C6-alkoxy.

Preference is furthermore given to the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein R1 is oRa and R4 is hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine or Cl-C4-alkyl ; particularly preferably hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine; with particular preference hydrogen.

Preference is also given to the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein R1 is ORa and R2 is Cl-C6-alkyl ; with particular preference ethyl; and R3 is C2-C6-alkenyl or C2-C6-alkynyl, with particular preference 2-propen-1-yl or 2-propyn-1-yl.

Particular preference is given to the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein R1 is ORa, Ra is branched C3-C6-alkyl ; particularly preferably 1-methylethyl, 2-methylpropyl or 1, 1-dimethylethyl ; R2 is Cl-C4-alkyl ; particularly preferably methyl, ethyl or n-propyl ; especially preferably methyl or ethyl; also especially preferably ethyl or n-propyl ; R3 is C2-C4-alkyl ; particularly preferably ethyl or n-propyl,

especially preferably ethyl; and R4 is hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine; particularly preferably hydrogen.

Preference is also given to the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I. wherein R1 is NRbRc.

Preference is also given to the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein R1 is NRbRC, where Rb and Rc are independently of each other hydrogen or Cl-C6-alkyl ; preferably hydrogen or Cl-C4-alkyl ; particular preferably hydrogen, ethyl, n-propyl or i-propyl.

Preference is also given to the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein R1 is NRbRC, where Rb is hydrogen or Cl-C6-alkyl ; preferably hydrogen or Cl-C4-alkyl ; particular preferably hydrogen, ethyl, n-propyl or i-propyl ; and Rc is C3-C6-alkenyl or C3-C6-alkynyl ; preferably C3-C4-alkenyl or C3-C4-alkynyl ; particular preferably 1-methyl-2-propen-1-yl, 1, 1-dimethyl-2-propen-1-yl ; 2-propyn-1-yl or 1-methyl-2-propyn-1-yl.

Preference is also given to the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein R1 is NRbRC, where Rb is hydrogen or Cl-C6-alkyl ; preferably hydrogen or Cl-C4-alkyl : particular preferably hydrogen, ethyl, n-propyl or i-propyl ; and Ré is C3-C6-cycloalkyl or three-to six-membered heterocyclyl; preferably C3-C5-cycloalkyl or four-to six-memberd heterocyclyl; particular preferably cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, 3-oxetanyl, 3-tetrahydrofuranyl or 4-tetrahydropyranyl.

Preference is also given to the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein R1 is NRbRC, where Rb and Rc are independently of each other hydrogen or Cl-C6-alkyl ; preferably hydrogen or Cl-C4-alkyl ; particular preferably hydrogen, ethyl, n-propyl or i-propyl ; and R2 is Cl-C6-alkyl, which may be partially or fully halogenated and/or may carry a substituent from the group consisting of Cl-C6-alkoxy ; preferably Cl-C4-alkyl ; particular preferably methyl, ethyl or n-propyl.

Preference is also given to the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein R1 is NRbRC, where Rb and Rc are independently of each other hydrogen or Cl-C6-alkyl ; preferably hydrogen or Cl-C4-alkyl ; particular preferably hydrogen, ethyl, n-propyl or i-propyl ; and R2 and R3 are inderpendently of each other C2-C6-alkyl, preferably C2-C4-alkyl, particular preferably ethyl.

Preference is also given to the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein R1 is NRbRC, where Rb and Rc are independently of each other hydrogen or Cl-C6-alkyl ; preferably hydrogen or Cl-C4-alkyl ; particular preferably hydrogen, ethyl, n-propyl or i-propyl ; and R3 is C2-C6-alkenyl or C2-C6-alkynyl ; preferably C2-C4-alkenyl or C2-C4-alkynyl ; particular preferably 2-propen-1-yl or 2-propyn-1-yl.

Preference is also given to the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein R1 is NRbRc, where Rb and Rc are independently of each other hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl ; preferably hydrogen or C1-C4-alkyl;

particular preferably hydrogen, ethyl, n-propyl or i-propyl ; and R4 is hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine or Cl-C4-alkyl ; preferably hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine; particular preferably hydrogen.

Preference is also given to the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein R1 is NRbRC, where Rb and Rc are independently of each other hydrogen or Cl-C6-alkyl ; preferably hydrogen or Cl-C4-alkyl ; particular preferably hydrogen, ethyl, n-propyl or i-propyl.

R2 is C2-C4-alkyl ; preferably ethyl; and R3 is C2-C6-alkenyl or C2-C6-alkynyl ; preferably 2-propen-1-yl or 2-propyn-1-yl.

Preference is also given to the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein R1 is NRbRC, where Rb and Rc are independently of each other hydrogen or Cl-C6-alkyl ; preferably hydrogen or Cl-C4-alkyl ; particular preferably hydrogen, ethyl, n-propyl or i-propyl; R2 is Cl-C4-alkyl ; preferably methyl, ethyl, or n-propyl ; R3 is C2-C4-alkyl ; preferably ethyl or n-propyl ; and R4 is hydrogen.

Preference is also given to the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein R1 is SRd.

Preference is also given to the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein R1 is SRd, where Rd is hydrogen or Cl-C6-alkyl ; preferably hydrogen or C1-C4-alkyl ;

particular preferably hydrogen, ethyl, n-propyl or i-propyl.

Preference is also given to the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein R1 is SRd, where Rd is C3-C6-alkenyl or C3-C6-alkynyl ; preferably C3-C4-alkenyl or C3-C4-alkynyl ; particular preferably 1-methyl-2-propen-1-yl, 1, 1-dimethyl-2-propen-1-yl ; 2-propyn-1-yl or 1-methyl-2-propyn-1-yl.

Preference is also given to the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein R1 is SRd, where Rd is C3-C6-alkenyl or three-to six-memberd heterocyclyl; preferably C3-C5-cycloalkyl or four-to-six-memberd heterocyclyl; particular preferably cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, 3-oxetanyl, 3-tetrahydrofuranyl or 4-tetrahydropyranyl.

Preference is also given to the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein R1 is SRd, where Rd is hydrogen or Cl-C6-alkyl ; preferably hydrogen or Cl-C4-alkyl ; particular preferably hydrogen, ethyl, n-propyl or i-propyl; and R2 is Cl-C6-alkyl which may be partially or fully halogenated and/or may carry a substituent from the group consisting of Cl-C6-alkoxy ; preferably Cl-C4-alkyl ; particular preferably methyl, ethyl or n-propyl.

Preference is also given to the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein R1 is SRd, where Rd is hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl ; preferably hydrogen or Cl-C4-alkyl ; particular preferably hydrogen, ethyl, n-propyl or i-propyl; and R2 and R3 are independently of each other C2-C6-alkyl ; preferably C2-C4-alkyl ; particular preferably ethyl.

Preference is also given to the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein R1 is SRd, where Rd is hydrogen or Cl-C6-alkyl ; preferably hydrogen or Cl-C4-alkyl ; particular preferably hydrogen, ethyl, n-propyl or i-propyl ; and R3 is C2-C6-alkenyl or C2-C6-alkynyl ; preferably C2-C4-alkenyl or C2-C6-alkynyl ; particular preferably 2-propen-1-yl or 2-propyn-1-yl.

Preference is also given to the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein R1 is SRd, where SRd is hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl; preferably hydrogen or Cl-C4-alkyl ; particular preferably hydrogen, ethyl, n-propyl or i-propyl ; and R4 is hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine or C1-C4-alkyl; preferably hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine; particular preferably hydrogen.

Preference is also given to the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein R1 is SRd, where SRd is hydrogen or Cl-C6-alkyl ; preferably hydrogen or Cl-C4-alkyl ; particular preferably hydrogen, ethyl, n-propyl or i-propyl ; and R2 is C2-C4-alkyl ; preferably ethyl; and R3 is C2-C6-alkenyl or C2-C6-alkenyl ; preferably 2-propen-1-yl or 2-propyn-1-yl.

Preference is also given to the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I wherein R1 is SRd, where Rd is hydrogen or Cl-C6-alkyl ; preferably hydrogen or Cl-C4-alkyl ; particular preferably hydrogen, ethyl, n-propyl or i-propyl ; and R2 is C1-C4-alkyl;

preferably methyl, ethyl, or n-propyl ; R3 is C2-C4-alkyl; preferably ethyl, or n-propyl ; and R4 is hydrogen.

Extraordinary preference is given to the compounds of formula I. 1 (corresponds to formula I where R1 is ORa wherein Ra is i-C3H7 and R4 is H), in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 1. 1 to I. 1.79 of table 1, where the definitions of the variables R1 to R4 are of particular importance for the compounds according to the invention not only in combination with one another, but in each case also on their own.

Table 1 No. R2 R3 I. 1. 1 CH3 CH3 I. 1. 2 CH3 C2H5 I. 1. 3 CH3 nC3H7 I. 1.4 CH3 iC3H7 I. 1. 5 CH3 nC4H9 I. 1.6 CH3 CH2CH (CH3) 2 I. 1.7 CH3 CH (CH3) C2H5 I. 1.8 CH3 tC4H9 I. 1. 9 C2H5 C2H5 I. 1. 10 C2H5 nC3H7 I. 1. 11 C2H5 iC3H7 I. 1.12 C2H5 nC4H9 I. 1.13 C2H5 CH2CH (CH3) 2 I. 1.14 C2H5 CH (CH3) C2H5 I. 1.15 C2H5 tC4H5 I. 1.16 nC3H7 nC3H7 I. 1.17 nC3H7 iC3H7 I. 1.18 iC3H7 iC3H7 I. 1. 19 CH2F CH3 I. 1.20 CH2F C2H5 I. 1. 21 CH2F CH2F I. 1.22 CH2Cl CH3 I. 1.23 CH2Cl C2H5 I. 1. 24 CH2Cl CH2Cl I. 1.25 CH2Br CH3 I. 1.26 CH2Br C2H5 I. 1.27 CH2Br CH2Br

No. R2 R3 I. 1. 28 CHF2 CH3 I. 1.29 CHF2 C2H5 I. 1. 30 CHF2 CHF2 I.1.31 CF3 CH3 I. 1.32 CF3 C2H5 I. 1. 33 CF3 CF3 I. 1.34 (CH2) 2F CH3 I. 1. 35 (CH2) 2F C2H5 I. 1. 36 (CH2) 2F (CH2) 2F I. 1.37 (CH2) 2Cl CH3 I. 1.38 (CH2)2Cl C2H5 I. 1.39 (CH2) 2Cl (CH2) 2Cl I.1.40 (CH2)2Br 1. 1. 41 (CH2) 2Br C2H5 I. 1.42 (CH2) 2Br (CH2)2Br I. 1. 43 CH2CF3 CH3 I. 1. 44 CH2CF3 C2H5 I. 1. 45 CH2CF3 CH2CF3 I. 1.46 CH20CH3 CH3 I.1.47 CH2OCH3 C2H5 I. 1. .48 CH2OCH3 CH2OCH3 I. 1.49 (CH2) 2OCH3 CH3 I. 1.50 (CH2) 20CH3 C2H5 I. 1.51 (CH2) 20CH3 (CH2) 20CH3 I. 1.52 (CH2) 30CH3 CH3 I. 1.53 (CH2) 30CH3 C2H5 I. 1.54 (CH2) 30CH3 (CH2) 30CH3 I. 1. 55 CH (CH3) CH20CH3 CH3 I. 1. 56 CH (CH3) CH20CH3 C2H5 I. 1.57 CH (CH3) CH2OCH3 CH(CH3)CH2OCH3 I. 1. 58 CH2CH (CH3) OCH3 CH3 I. 1.59 CH2CH (CH2)OCH3 C2H5 I. 1. 60 CH2CH (CH3) OCH3 CH2CH (CH3) OCH3 I. 1.61 CH2OC2H5 CH3 I.1.62 CH2OC2H5 C2H5 I.1.63 CH2OC2H5 CH2OC2H5 I. 1.64 (CH2) 20C2H5CH3 1. 1. 65 (CH2) 2OC2H5 C2H5 I. 1. 66 (CH2) 20C2H5 (CH2) 2OC2H5 1. 1. 67 (CH2) 30C2H5 CH3 I. 1.68 (CH2) 3OC2H5 C2H5 I. 1.69 (CH2) 3OC2H5 (CH2) 30C2H5. I. 1. 70 CH (CH3) CH2OC2H5 CH3 I. 1. 71 CH (CH3) CH20C2H5 C2H5 I. 1.72 CH (CH3) CH2OC2H5 CH (CH3) CH20C2H5 I. 1.73 CH2CH (CH3) OC2H5CH3 I. 1.74 CH2CH (CH3) OC2H5C2Hs I. 1. 75 CH2CH (CH3) OC2H5 CH2CH(CH3)OC2H5 I. 1. 76 CH2CH=CH2 C2H5 I. 1. 77 CH2CH=CH2 CH2CH=CH2 No. R2 R3 I.1.78 CH2CH=CH2 CH2C=CH I.1.79 CH2C#CH CH2C#CH

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of formula I. 2, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 2.1 to I. 2.79 which differ from the corresponding compounds of formulae I. I. 1 to I. 1.79 in that Ra is CH2CH (CH3) 2.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of formula I. 3, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 3.1 to I. 3.79, which differ from the corresponding compounds of formulae I. 1. 1 to I. 1.79 in that Ra is CH (CH3) C2H5.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of formula I. 4, in particular to the compounds of formulae 1. 4.1 to I. 4.79, which differ from the corresponding compounds of formulae I. I. 1 to I. 1.79 in that Ra is tC4Hg.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of formula I. 5, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 5.1 to I. 5.79, which differ from the corresponding compounds of formulae I. 1. 1 to I. 1.79 in that Ra is CH (CH3) CH=CH2- Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of formula I. 6, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 6.1 to I. 6.79, which differ from the corresponding compounds of formulae I. 1. 1 to I. 1.79 in that Ra is CH2C (CH3) =CH2-

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of formula I. 7, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 7.1 to I. 7.79, which differ from the corresponding compounds of formulae I. I. 1 to I. 1.79 in that Ra is CH (CH3) CH=CHCH3.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of formula I. 8, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 8.1 to I. 8.79, which differ from the corresponding compounds of formulae I.. 1. 1 to I. 1.79 in that Ra is CH2CCH.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of formula I. 9, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 9.1 to I. 9.79, which differ from the corresponding compounds of formulae I. I. 1 to I. 1.79 in that Ra is CHCH3CCH.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of formula I.10, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 10.1 to I. 10.79, which differ from the corresponding compounds of formulae I. 1. 1 to I. 1.79 in that Ra is CH2CCCH3.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of formula I. 11, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 11. 1 to I. 11.79, which differ from the corresponding compounds of formulae I. I. 1 to I. 1.79 in that Ra is (CH2) 2CCH.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of formula I. 12, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 12.1 to I. 12.79, which differ from the corresponding compounds of formulae I. I. 1 to I. 1.79 in that Ra is CH2CHF2.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of formula I. 13, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 13.1 to I. 13.79, which differ from the corresponding compounds of formulae I. I. 1 to I. 1.79 in that Ra is CH2CF3.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of formula I. 14, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 14.1 to I. 14.79, which differ from the corresponding compounds of formulae I. I. 1 to I. 1.79 in that Ra is (CH2) 2CH2F.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of formula I. 15, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 15.1 to I. 15.79, which differ from the corresponding compounds of formulae I. I. 1 to I. 1.79 in that Ra is (CH2) 2CF3.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of formula I. 16, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 16.1 to I. 16.79, which differ from the corresponding compounds of formulae I. I. 1 to I. 1. 79 in that Ra is CH2CHC12.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of formula I. 17, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 17.1 to I. 17.79, which differ from the corresponding compounds of formulae I. 1. 1 to I. 1.79 in that Ra is CH2CCl3.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of formula I. 18, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 18.1 to I. 18.79, which differ from the corresponding compounds of formulae I. I. 1 to I. 1. 79 in that Ra is (CH2)2CH2Cl.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of formula I. 19, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. l9. 1 to I. 19.79, which differ from the corresponding compounds of formulae I. 1. 1 to I. 1.79 in that Ra is (CH2) 2CCl3.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of formula I. 20, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 20.1 to I. 20.79, which differ from the corresponding compounds of formulae I. I. 1 to I. 1.79 in that Ra is CH2CHBr2.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of formula I. 21, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 21.1 to I. 21. 79, which differ from the corresponding compounds of formulae I. 1. 1 to I. 1.79 in that Ra is CH2CBr2.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of formula I. 22, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 22.1 to I. 22.79, which differ from the corresponding compounds of formulae I. I. 1 to I. 1.79 in that Ra is (CH2) 2CH2Br.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula I. 23, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 23.1 to I. 23.79, which differ from the corresponding compounds of for- mulae I. 1. 1 to I. 1.79 in that Ra is (CH2) 2CBr3.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula I. 24, in particular to the compounds of-formulae 1. 24.1 to I. 24.79, which differ from the corresponding compounds of for- mulae I. 1. 1 to I. 1.79 in that Ra is 3-oxetanyl.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula I. 25, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 25. 1 to I. 25. 79, which differ from the corresponding compounds of formulae I. 1. 1 to I. 1.79 in that Ra is CH (CH3) CF3.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula I. 26, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 26.1 to I. 26.79, which differ from the corresponding compounds of for- mulae I. 1. 1 to I. 1.79 in that Ra is CH (CF3) 2.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula I. 27 (corresponds to formula I wherein R1 is MRbRC with Rc is hydrogen and R4 is hydrogen), in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 27.1 to I. 27.180 of table 2, where the definitions of the variables R1 to R4 are of particular importance for the compounds according to the inventions not only in combination with one another, but each case on their own.

Table 2 No. Rb R2 R3 I. 27.1 H C2Hs C2H5 I. 27.2 H C2Hs nC3H7 I. 27.3 H C2Hs iC3H7 zu 1. 27. 4 H nC4H9 1. 27. 5 H C2H5 CH2CH (CH3) 2 I. 27. 6 H C2H5 CH (CH3) C2C5 1. 27. 7H C2H5 CH2CH=CH2 I_27_8 H C2gs CHC=CH 1. 27. 9 H nC3H7 nC3H7 1. 27. 10 H nC3H7 iC3H7 10- 10 I. 27. 11 H nC3H7 nC4H9 1. 27. 12 H nC3H7 CH2CH (CH3) 2 1. 27. 13 H nC3H7 CH (CH3) C2C5 1. 27. 14 H nC3H7 CH2CH=CH2 15 1. 27. 15 H nC3H7 CH2C-=CH 1. 27. 16 H iC3H7 iC3H7 1. 27. 17 H iC3H7 nC4Hg 1. 27. 18 H iC3H7 CH2CH (CH3) 2 20 1. 27. 19 H iC3H7 CH (CH3) C2Cs 1. 27. 20 H iC3H7 CH2CH=CH2 I. 27, 21 H iC3H7 CH2C-CH 1. 27. 22 H nC4Hg nC4Hg I. 27. 23 H nC4Hg CH2CH (CH3) 2 1. 27. 24 H nC4H9CH (CH3) C2C5 1. 27. 25 CH2CH=CH2 1. 27. 26 H nC4Hg CH2C-CH 1. 27. 27 H CH2CH (CH3) 2 CH2CH (CH3) 2 30 1. 27. 28 H CH2CH (CH3) 2 CH (CH3) C2C5 1. 27. 29 H CH2CH (CH3) 2 CH2CH=CH2 1. 27. 30 H CH2CH (CH3) 2 CH2C=CH 1. 27. 31iCH (CH3) C2C5 CH (CH3) C2C5 35 1. 27. 32 H CH (CH3) C2C5 CH2CH=CH2 1. 27. 33 H CH (CH3) C2C5 CH2C=CH 1. 27. 34 H CH2CH=CH2 CH2 I. 27. 35 H CH2CH=CH2 CH2C-CH 40 1. 27. 36 H CH2C=-CH CH2C=-CH 1. 27. 37 CH3 C2H5 C2H5 1. 27. 38 C2HsnC3H7 1. 27. 39 CH3 C2H5 iC3H7 1. 27. 40 CH3 C2H5 nC4H9 4 5 CH2CH (CH3) 2 1. 27. 41 CH3 C2H5 1. 27. 42 CH3 C2H5. CH (CH3) C2C5 I. 27. 42 CH3 No. Rb R2 R3 No.'R7'R3 1. 27. 43 CH3 C2H5 CH2CH=CH2 1. 27. 44 CH3 C2H5 CH2C=CH 5 I. 27. 45 CH3 nC3H7 nC3H7 1. 27. 46 CH3 nC3H7 iC3H7 1. 27. 47 CH3 nC3H7 nC4H9 1. 27. 48 CH3 nC3H7 CH2CH (CH3) 2 1. 27. 49 CH3 nC3H7. CH (CH3) C2C5 10 CH2CH=CI 1. 27. 50 CH3 nC3H7 CH2CH=CH2 1. 27. 51 CH3 nC3H7 CH2C-CH 1. 27. 52 CH3 iC3H7 iC3H7 1. 27. 53 CH3 iC3H7 nC4Hg 1. 27. 54 CH3 iC3H7 CH2CH (CH3) 2 1. 27. 55 CH3 iC3H7 CH (CH3) C2C5 1. 27. 56 CH3 iC3H7 CH2CH=CH2 1. 27. 57 CH3 iC3H7 CH2C-CH 20 1. 27. 58 CH3 nC4Hg nC4Hg 1. 27. 59 CH3-nC4H9 CH2CH (CH3) 2 1. 27. 60 CH3 nC4H9 CH (CH3) C2C5 1. 27. 61 CH3 nC4H9 CH2CH=CH2 25 1. 27. 62 CH3 nC4H9 CH2C=-CH 1. 27. 63 CH3 CH2CH (CH3) 2 CH2CH (CH3) 2 1. 27. 64 CH3 CH2CH (CH3) 2 CH (CH3) C2C5 1. 27. 65 CH3 CH2CH (CH3) 2 CH2CH=CH2 1. 27. 66 CH3 CH2CH (CH3) 2 CH2C=CH 30 I. 27. 67 CH3 CH (CH3) C2CS CH (CH3) C2C5 1. 27. 68 CH3 CH (CH3) C2CS CH2CH=CH2 1. 27. 69 CH3 CH (CH3) C2C5 CH2C-=CH 1. 27. 70 CH3 CH2CH=CH2 CH2CH=CH2 35 1. 27. 71 CH3 CH2CH=CH2 _ CH2C==CH 1. 27. 72 CH3 CH2C=CH CH2C=CH 1. 27. 73 C2H5 C2HS C2H5 1. 27. 74 C2HS C2HS nC3H7 40 1. 27. 75 C2H5 C2H5 iC3H7 1. 27. 76 C2g ___ _ 1. 27. 77 C2H5 C2H5 CH2CH (CH3) 2 1. 27. 78 C2H5 C2H5 CH (CH3) C2C5 1. 27. 79 C2H5 C2H5 CH2CH=CH2 45 CH2C=CH 45 I. 27. 80 C2H5 C2H5 CH2CeCH I. 27. 81 C2H5'nCnCHy No. Rb R2 R3 1. 27. 82 C2H5 nC3H7 iC3H7 I. 27. 83 C2H5 nC3H7 nC4Hg 5 I. 27. 84 C2H5 nC3H7 CH2CH (CH3) 2 1. 27. 85 C2H5 nC3H7 CH (CH3) C2C5 I. 27. 86 C2H5 nC3H7 CH2CH=CH2 1. 27. 87 C2Hs nC3H7 CH2C_CH 1. 27. 88 C2H5 iC3H7 iC3H7 10 I. 27. 89 C2H5 iC3H7 nC4Hg 1. 27. 89 CH2 1. 27. 90 C2H5 iC3H7 CH2CH (CH3) 2 1. 27. 91 C2H5 iC3H7 CH (CH3) C2C5 1. 27. 92 C2H5 iC3H7 CH2CH=CH2 15 I. 27. 93 C2H5 iC3H7 CH2C--CH 1. 27. 94 C2H5 nC4H9 nC4H9 1. 27. 95 C2H5 nC4H9 CH2CH (CH3) 2 I. 27. 96 C2H5 nC4Hg CH (CH3) C2C5 20 1. 27. 97 C2H5 nC4Hg CH2CH=CH2 1. 27. 98 C2H5 nC4H9 CH2C-CH 1. 27. 99 C2H5 CH2CH (CH3) 2 CH2CH (CH3) 2 1. 27. 100 C2H5 CH2CH (CH3) 2 CH (CH3) C2C5 25 1. 27. 101 C2H5 CH2CH (CH3) 2 CH2CH=CH2 ow 1. 27. 102 C2H5CH2CH (CH3) 2 CH2C=CH 1. 27. 103 C2H5 CH (CH3) C2C5 CH (CH3) C2C5 1. 27. 104 C2H5 CH (CH3) C2C5 CH2CH=CH2 1. 27. 105 C2H5 CH (CH3) C2C5 CH2C=-CH 30 1. 27. 106 C2H5 CH2CH=CH2 CH2CH=CH2 1. 27. 107 C2H5 CH2CH=CH2 CH2C_CH 1. 27. 108 C2H5 CH2C-CH _ 1. 27. 109 nC3H7 C2H5 C2H5. 35 1. 27. 110 nC3H7 C2H5 nC3H7 1. 27. 111 nC3H7C2H5iC3H7 1. 27. 112 nC3H7 C2H5 nC4Hg I CHCH (CH3) 2 1. 27. 113 nC3H7 C2H5 CH2CH (CH3) 2 40 1. 27. 114 nC3H7 C2H5 CH (CH3) C2C5 1. 27. 115 nC3H7 C2H5 CH2CH=CH2 1. 27. 116 nC3H7 C2H5 CH2C_CH 1. 27. 117 nC3H7 nC3H7 nC3H7 I. 27. 118 nC3H7 nC3H7 iC3H7 45 nC3g nCH9 1. 27. 119 nC3H7 nC3H7 nC4H9 I. 27. 120 nC3H7 nC3H7 CH2CH (CH3) 2 No. Rb R2 R3 1. 27. 121 nC3H7 nC3H7 CH (CH3) C2C5 1. 27. 122 nC3H7 nC3H7 CH2CH=CH2 I. 27. 123 nC3H7 nC3H7 CH2C--CH 5 1. 27. 124 nC3H iC3H 1. 27. 125 nC3H7 iC3H7 nC4Hg 1. 27. 126 nC3H7 iC3H7 CH2CH (CH3) 2 1. 27. 127 nC3H7 iC3H7 CH (CH3) C2C5 10 10 I. 27. 128 nC3H7 iC3H7 CH2CH=CH2 1. 27. 129. nC3H7 iC3H7 CH2C--CH 1. 27. 130 nC3H7 nC4H9 nC4H9 1. 27. 131 nC3H7 nC4H9 CH2CH (CH3) 2 15 I. 27. 132 nC3H7 nC4Hg CH (CH3) C2C5 1. 27. 133 nC3H7 nC4H9 CH2CH=CH2 1. 27. 134 nC3H7 nC4H9 CH2C=CH 1. 27. 135 nC3H7 CH2CH (CH3) 2 CH2CH (CH3) 2 20 1. 27. 136 nC3H7 CH2CH (CH3) 2 Cr, 1. 27. 137 nC3H7 CH2CH (CH3) 2 CH2CH=CH2 I. 27. 138 nC3H CH2CH (CH3) 2 1. 27. 139 nC3H7 CH (CH3) C2C5 CH (CH3) C2C5 25 I. 27. 140 nC3H7 CH (CH3) C2C5 CH2CH=CH2 1. 27. 141 nC3H7 CH (CH3) C2C5 CH2C--CH 1. 27. 142 nC3H7 CH2CH=CH2 CH2CH=CH2 1. 27. 143 nC3H7 CH2CH=CH2 CH2C=CH I. 27. 144 nC3H7 CH2CECH CH2C_CH A ° 1. 27. 145 iC3H7 C2H5 C2H5 1. 27. 146 iC3H7 C2H5 nC3H7 1. 27. 147 iC3H7 C2Hs iC3H7 1. 27. 148 iC3H7C2H5 nC4H9 35 1. 27. 149 iC3H7 C2Hs CH2CH (CH3) 2 1. 27. 150 iC3H7 C2Hs-CH (CH3) C2C5 1. 27. 151 iC3H7 C2H5 CH2CH=CH2 1. 27. 152 iC3H7C2HsGH2CECH 40 I. 27. 153 iC3H7 nC3H7 nC3H7' 1. 27. 154 iC3H7 nC3H7 iC3H7 1. 27. 155 iC3H7 nC3H7 nC4H9 1. 27. 156 iC3H7 nC3H7 CH2CH (CH3) 2 1. 27. 157 iC3H7 nC3H7 CH (CH3) C2C5 45- 1. 27. 158 iC3H7 nC3H7 CH2CH=CH2 I. 27. 158 iC3H I. 27. 159 iC3H7 nC3H7 CH2C=-CH

No. Rb R2 R3 I. 27.160 iC3H7 iC3H7 iC3H7 I. 27.161 iC3H7 iC3H7 nC4H9 I. 27.162 iC3H7 iC3H7 CH2CH (CH3) 2 I. 27.163 iC3H7 iC3H7 CH (CH3) C2C5 I. 27.164 iC3H7 iC3H7 CH2CH=CH2 I. 27.165 iC3H7 iC3H7 CH2C=CH I. 27.166 iC3H7 nC4H9 nC4H9 I. 27.167 iC3H7 nC4H9 CH2CH (CH3) 2 I. 27. 168iC3H7nC4H9CH (CH3) C2C5 I. 27.169 iC3H7 nC4H9 CH2CH=CH2 I. 27.170 iC3H7 nC4H9 CH2C-CH I. 27.171 iC3H7 CH2CH (CH3) 2 CH2CH (CH3) 2 I. 27.172 iC3H7 CH2CH (CH3) 2 CH (CH3) C2C5 I. 27.173 iC3H7 CH2CH (CH3) 2 CH2CH=CH2 I. 27.174 iC3H7 CH2CH (CH3) 2 CH2C#CH I. 27. 175 iC3H7 CH (CH3) C2C5 CH (CH3) C2C5 I. 27.176 iC3H7 CH (CH3) C2C5 CH2CH=CH2 I. 27.177 iC3H7 CH (CH3) C2C5 CH2C#CH I. 27.178 iC3H7 CH2CH=CH2 CH2CH=CH2 I. 27.179 iC3H7 CH2CH=CH2 CH2C#CH I. 27.180 iC3H7 CH2C#CH CH2C#CH Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula I. 28, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 28.1 to I. 28.180, which differ from the corresponding compounds of for- mulae I. 27.1 to I. 27.180 in that Rc is CH3.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula I. 29, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 29.1 to I. 29. 180, which differ from the corresponding compounds of for- mulae 1. 27. 1 to I. 27.180 in that Rc is C2H5.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula 1. 30, in particular to the compounds of formulae 1. 30.1 to I. 30.180, which differ from the corresponding compounds of for- mulae I. 27.1 to I. 27.180 in that Rc is nC3H7.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula I. 31, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 31.1 to I. 31.180, which differ from the corresponding compounds of for- mulae I. 27.1 to I. 27.180 in that Rc is iC3H7.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula I. 32, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 32.1 to I. 32. 180, which differ from the corresponding compounds of for- mulae I. 27.1 to I. 27.180 in that Rc is CH2CH (CH3) 2.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula I. 33, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 33.1 to I. 33.180, which differ from the corresponding compounds of for- mulae I. 27.1 to I. 27.180 in that RI is CH(CH3)C2H5.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula 1. 34, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 34.1 to I. 34.180, which differ from the corresponding compounds of for- mulae I. 27.1 to I. 27.180 in that Rc is tC4H9.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula I. 35, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 35.1 to I. 35.180, which differ from the corresponding compounds of for- mulae I. 27.1 to I. 27.180 in that Rc is CH (CH3) CH=CH2.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula I. 36, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 36.1 to I. 36. 180, which differ from the corresponding compounds of for- mulae I. 27. 1 to I. 27.180 in that Rc is C (CH3) CH=CH2.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula I. 37, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 37.1 to I. 37.180, which differ from the corresponding compounds of for- mulae I. 27.1 to I. 27.180 in that Rc is CH2C_CH.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula 1. 38, in particular to the compounds of formulae 1. 38.1 to 1. 38.180, which differ from the corresponding compounds of for- mulae I. 27.1 to I. 27.180 in that Rc is CH (CH3) C=CH.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula I. 39, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 39.1 to I. 39.180, which differ from the corresponding compounds of for- mulae I. 27.1 to I. 27.180 in that Rc is 3-tetrahydrofuranyl.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula I. 40, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 40.1 to I. 40.180, which differ from the corresponding compounds of for- mulae I. 27.1 to I. 27.180 in that Rc is 4-tetrahydropyranyl.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula I. 41 (corresponds to formula I wherein R1 is NRbRC wherein Rb and Rc from a 1,4-butandiyl-chain and R4 is hydrogen), in particu- lar to the compounds of formulae I. 41.1 to I. 41.36 of table 3, where the definitions of the variables R1 to R4 are of particular importance for the compounds according to the invention not only in combination with one another but in each case on their own.

Table 3 No. R2 R3 1. 41. 1 C2H5 _ C2H5 15 I. 41. 2 C2H5 nC3H7 1. 41. 3 C2H5 iC3H7 1. 41. 4 C2H5 nC4H9 I. 41. 5 C2H5 CH2CH (CH3) 2 20 1. 41. 6 C2H5 CH (CH3) C2H5 1. 41. 7 C2HS CH2CH=CH2 1. 41. 8CsHsCH2C=CH I. 41. 9 nC3H nC3H 1. 41. 10 nC3H7 iC3H7 25 1. 41. 11 nC3H7 nC4H9 1. 41. 12 nC3H7 CH2CH (CH3) 2 1. 41. 13 nC3H7 CH (CH3) C2H5 1. 41. 14 nC3H7 CH2CH=CH2 30 1. 41. 15 nC3H7 CH2C-CH 1. 41. 16 iC3H7 iC3H7 1. 41. 17 iC3H7 nC4Hg CH2CH (CH3) 2 1. 41. 18 iC3H7 CH2CH (CH3) 2 35 I. 41. 19 iC3H7-SCH (CH3) C2H5 1. 41. 20 iC3H7 CH2CH=CH2 1. 41. 21 iC3H7 CH2C_CH 1. 41. 22 nC4H9 nC4H9 CHCH (CH3) 1. 41. 23 nC4H9 CH2CH (CH3) 2 40 CH (CH3) C2Hs I. 41. 24 n. C4H9 1. 41. 25nC4H9CH2CH=CH2 1. 41. 26 nC4H9 CH2C=CH 1. 41. 27 CH2CH (CH3) 2 CH2CH (CH3) 2 45 1. 41. 28 CH2CH (CH3) 2 CH (CH3) C2H5 I. 41. 29 CH2CH (CH3) 2 CH2CH=CH2

I. 41.30 CH2CH (CH3) 2 CH2C#CH I. 41. 31 CH (CH3) C2H5 CH (CH3) C2H5 I. 41. 32 CH (CH3) C2H5 CH2CH=CH2 I. 41. 33 CH (CH3) C2H5 CH2C=CH I. 41.34 CH2CH=CH2 CH2CH=CH2 I. 41.35 CH2CH=CH2 CH2C#CH I. 41.36 CH2C=CHCH2G=CH Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula I. 42, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 42.1 to I. 42.36, which differ from the corresponding compounds of for- mulae I. 41. 1 to I. 41.36 in that R1 is NRbRC wherein Rb and Rc form a 1,5 pentanediyl-chain.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula I. 43, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 43.1 to I. 43.36, which differ from the corresponding compounds of for- mulae I. 41.1 to I. 41.36 in that R1 is NRbRC wherein Rb and Rc form a 1,6-hexanediyl-chain.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula I. 44, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 44.1 to I. 44.36, which differ from the corresponding compounds of for- mulae I. 41.1 to I. 41.36 in that R1 is SRd wherein Rd is CH3.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of. for- mula 1. 45, in particular to the compounds of formulae 1. 45.1 to 1. 45.36, which differ from the corresponding compounds of for- mulae I. 41.1 to I. 41.36 in that R1 is SRd wherein Rd is C2H5.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula I. 46, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 46.1 to I. 46.36, which differ from the corresponding compounds of for- mulae I. 41.1 to I. 41.36 in that R1 is SRd wherein Ra is nC3H7.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula I. 47, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 47.1 to I. 47.36, which differ from the corresponding compounds of for- mulae I. 41.1 to I. 41.36 in that R1 is SRd wherein Rd is iC3H7.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula I. 48, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 48.1 to I. 48.36, which differ from the corresponding compounds of for- mulae I. 41.1 to I. 41.36 in that R1 is SRd wherein Rd is CH2CH (CH3).

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula 1. 49, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 49.1 to I. 49.36, which differ from the corresponding compounds of for- mulae I. 41.1 to I. 41.36 in that R1 is SRd wherein Rd is CH (CH3) C2H5.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula I. 50, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 50.1 to I. 50.36, which differ from the corresponding compounds of for- mulae I. 41.1 to I. 41.36 in that R1 is SRd wherein Rd is tC4H9.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula I. 51, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 51. 1 to I. 51.36, which differ from the corresponding compounds of for- mulae I. 41. 1 to I. 41.36 in that R1 is SRd wherein Rd is CH (CH3) CH=CH2.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula 1. 52, in particular to the compounds of formulae 1. 52.1 to 1. 52.36, which differ from the corresponding compounds of for- mulae I. 41.1 to I. 41.36 in that R1 is SRd wherein Rd is C (CH3) 2CH=CH2.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula I. 53, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 53.1 to I. 53.36, which differ from the corresponding compounds of for- mulae I. 41.1 to I. 41.36 in that R1 is SRd wherein Rd is CH2C-CH.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula I. 54, in particular to the compounds of formulae I. 54.1 to I. 54.36, which differ from the corresponding compounds of for- mulae I. 41.1 to I. 41.36 in that R1 is SRd wherein Rd is CH (CH3) CZECH.

Extraordinary preference is also given to the compounds of for- mula I. 55, in particular to the compounds of formulae 1. 55.1 to I. 55.36, which differ from the corresponding compounds of for- mulae. I. 41.1 to I. 41.36 in that RI is SRd wherein Rd is 3-tetra- hydrofuranyl.

In the synthesis of the a-cyanoacrylates, the starting materials or products in question are usually present in an (E): (Z) ratio of from 95: 5 to 5: 95. It is possible to separate the isomers, for example by chromatographic purification, and to continue the reactions with the pure isomer in question.

The a-cyanoacrylates of formula I can be prepared by various routes, for example by the following processes: Process A Cyanoacetic derivatives of formula IV are reacted with carbonyl chlorides of the formula V to give enols of the formula III.

Following conversion of the enol OH-group, the corresponding enol ether of the formula II is obtained, which is then converted with ammonia into the desired a-cyanoacrylate : AgN03/R5-halide with OOH 1 R5 = Cl-C6-alkyl 2 (bas e) R2 _, COR1 or benzyl R 11 R3 R l4 R CN or, for R5 = CH3, R V IV III CH2N2 where R5 is for example methyl, ethyl or benzyl Preferably compounds of formula I wherein R1 is ORa are prepared according to this process. However compounds of formula I wherein R1 is NRbRC or SRd can be prepared analogous.

The conversion of the cyanoacetic ester of formula IV with carbonyl chlorides of formula V into enols of the formula III is usually carried out at temperatures of from 0°C to 15°C, preferably at 0°C, in an inert organic solvent, if appropriate in the presence of a base [cf. Haller et al., C. R. Acad. Sc. 15 (1887), 115; Dieckmann et al. , Chem. Ber. 37 (1904), 3384; Michael et al. , Chem. Ber. 38 (1905), 50; Guinchant, Ann. Chim. 9 (1918), 49].

Suitable solvents are aliphatic hydrocarbons such as pentane, hexane, cyclohexane and mixtures of Cs-Cg-alkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons, such as toluene, o-, m-and p-xylene, halogenated hydrocarbons, such as methylene chloride, chloroform and chlorobenzene, ethers, such as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, tert-butyl methyl ether, dioxane, anisole and tetrahydrofuran, nitriles, such as acetonitrile and propionitrile, particularly preferably methylene chloride, tert-butyl methyl ether, diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran and acetonitrile.

It is also possible to use mixtures of solvents mentioned.

Suitable bases are, in general, inorganic compounds, such as alkali metal and alkaline earth metal alkoxides, such as sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide, potassium ethoxide, potassium tert-butoxide, potassium tert-pentoxide and dimethoxymagnesium, and furthermore organic bases, for example tertiary amines, such as trimethylamine, triethylamine, diisoproylethylamine and N-methylpiperidine, pyridine, substituted pyridines such as collidine, lutidine, N-methylmorpholine and 4-dimethylamino- pyridine, and also bicyclic amines. Particular preference is given to sodium ethoxide and triethylamine.

The bases are generally employed in excess or they can, if appropriate, be used as solvent.

IV is generally employed in excess, based on V.

The reaction mixtures are worked up in a customary manner, for example by mixing with water, separation of the phases and, if appropriate, chromatographic purification of the crude products.

Some of the intermediates and end products are obtained in the form of viscous oils which can be purified or freed from volatile components under reduced pressure and at moderately elevated temperature. If the intermediates and end products are obtained as solid, purification can also be carried out by recrystalli- zation or digestion.

The enol ethers of formula II can be obtained by alkylation of the silver salt of the enol of the formula III.

The reaction of the enol of formula III with silver nitrate is usually carried out in water at 25°C [cf. Haller, Comp. Rend. 130 (1900), 1221].

The reaction of the silver salt of the enol of formula III with an alkylating agent is usually carried out at from 25°C to 80°C in an inert organic solvent [cf. Haller, Comp. Rend. 130 (1900), 1221].

Suitable solvents are halogenated hydrocarbons, such as methylene chloride, chloroform and chlorobenzene, ethers, such as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, tert-butyl methyl ether, dioxane, anisole and tetrahydrofuran, and nitriles, such as acetonitrile and propionitrile, particularly preferably acetonitrile.

It is also possible to use mixtures of the solvents mentioned.

Suitable alkylating agents R5-halides are alkyl halides with R5 = Cl-C6-alkyl, such as, for example, methyl or ethyl iodide and also methyl or ethyl bromide. For converting III into II, it is furthermore also possible to use benzyl halides with R5 = benzyl, such as, for example, benzyl chloride or benzyl bromide.

In general, the alkylating agent is employed in an excess, based on the silver salt of the acrylocyanoacetic ester of formula III.

Work-up can be carried out in a manner known per se to afford the product.

For obtaining the enol ether of formula II wherein R5 is methyl, the enol of formula III can also be reacted with diazomethane.

This reaction is usually carried out at from 0°C to 20°C in an inert organic solvent [cf. Arndt et al. , Liebigs Ann. 521 (1936), 108].

Suitable solvents are ethers, such as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, tert-butyl methyl ether, dioxane, anisole and tetrahydro- furan, particularly preferably diethyl ether.

It is also possible to use mixtures of the solvents mentioned.

The starting materials are generally reacted with each other in equimolar amounts. It may be advantageous to employ an excess of diazomethane, based on the enol of formula III.

Instead of diazomethane, it is also possible to use, for example, trimethylsilyldiazomethane.

Work-up can be carried out in a manner known per se to afford the product.

The enol ethers of formula II can also be obtained by reacting, for example, orthoesters of formula VII, where R5 is a Cl-C4-alkyl radical, such as, for example, methyl or ethyl, with the appropriate cyanoacetic esters of formula IV: OR" 2 JOR [anhydride] R'JCOR' R3>OR'+ NC CO R R R CN VII IV II where R5 = Cl-C4-alkyl This reaction is usually carried out at from 100°C to 150°C, preferably at from 110°C to 130°C, in the presence of a carboxylic anhydride [cf. Xia et al. , J. Med. Chem. 40 (1997), 4372].

Suitable solvents are carboxylic anhydrides, such as acetic anydride or propionic anhydride.

In general, an excess of VII is employed, based on IV.

The orthoesters required for preparing the compounds VI are known from the literature [cf. Houben-Weyl, 1965, Vol. 6/3,300 f. ], or they can be prepared in accordance with the literature cited and/or are commercially available.

The reaction of the enol ethers of formula II with ammonia or an ammonia-containing solution is usually carried out at from 0°C to 20°C, preferably from 0°C to 10°C, in an inert organic solvent [cf. Haller, Comp. Rend. 130 (1900), 1221].

Suitable solvents are ethers, such as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, tert-butyl methyl ether, dioxane, anisole and tetra- hydrofuran, nitriles, such as acetonitrile and propionitrile,

alkohols, such as methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol and tert-butanol, particularly preferably acetonitrile.

It is also possible to use mixtures of the solvents mentioned.

In general, an excess of ammonia is employed, based on II.

Work-up can be carried out in a manner known per se to afford the product.

The starting materials required for preparing the compounds I are known from the literature [Dahn et al. , Helv. Chim. Acta 42 (1959), 1214; Bowie, Tetrahedron 23 (1967), 305], or they can be prepared in accordance with the literature cited and/or are commercially available.

Process B Enols of formula III are reacted with acid chlorides R6COC1 to give enol derivates of the formula VI, which are then reacted with ammonia to give the desired a-cyanoacrylates : OH 1 COR 2 1 R < COR + R COCl R a COR NH3 R\4 3 g. R\ 4 R6 = branched R CM III alkyl or phenyl VI NH 9 COR Rl R CN I Preferably compounds of formula I wherein R1 is ORa are prepared according to this process. However compounds of formula I wherein R1 is NRbRC or SRd can be prepared analogous.

R6COC1 are customary acid chlorides which are commercially available, such as, for example, acetic acid chlorid, isobutyryl chloride or pivaloyl chloride. R6 is Cl-C6-alkyl (such as, for example, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl or tert. -butyl), phenyl or benzyl. Preference is given to acid chlorides having sterically demanding radicals R6, such as, for example, branched C3-C6-alkyl or phenyl.

The conversion of the enols of formula III with acid chlorides into enol esters of formula VI is usually carried out at from 0°C to 35°C, preferably at 25°C, in an inert organic solvent in the presence of a base [cf. Haller, Comp. Rend. 130 (1900), 1221; Schmitt, Bull. Soc. Chim. France 31 (1904), 325].

Suitable solvents are aromatic hydrocarbons, such as toluene, o-, m-and p-xylene, halogenated hydrocarbons, such as methylene chloride, chloroform and chlorobenzene, ethers, such as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, tert-butyl methyl ether, dioxane, anisole and tetrahydrofuran, nitriles, such as acetonitrile and propionitrile, particularly preferably acetonitrile.

It is also possible to use mixtures of the solvents mentioned.

Optionally the reaction can be carried out in the presence of a base.

Suitable bases are, in general, inorganic compounds, such as alkali metal and alkaline earth metal hydrides, such as lithium hydride, sodium hydride, potassium hydride and calcium hydride, alkali metal and alkaline earth metal carbonates, such as lithium carbonate, potassium carbonate and calcium carbonate, and also alkali metal and alkaline earth metal alkoxides, such as sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide, potassium ethoxide, potassium tert-butoxide, potassium tert-pentoxide and dimethoxymagnesium, furthermore organic bases, for example tertiary amines, such as trimethylamine, triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, N-methyl- piperidine, pyridine, substituted pyridines, such as collidine, lutidine and 4-dimethylaminopyridine, and also bicyclic amines.

Particular preference is given to alkoxides.

The bases are generally employed in equimolar amounts.

The starting materials are generally reacted with one another in equimolar amounts. It may be advantageous to employ an excess of acid chloride, based on III.

Work-up can be carried out in a manner known per se to afford the product.

The enols of the formula III required for preparing the compounds VI can be prepared according to Process A.

The reaction of the enol esters of the formula VI with ammonia or an ammonia-containing solution is carried out under the same conditions as described in Process A.

Process C Reaction of the enols of formula III with POC13 and subsequent reaction of the crude reaction mixture with ammonia likewise gives a-cyanoacrylates of formula I: Preferably compounds of formula I wherein R1 is ORa are prepared according to this process. However compounds of formula I wherein R1 is NRbRC or SRd can be prepared analogous.

The reaction with POC13 is usually carried out at from 0°C to 100°C, preferably at 0 to 50 °C, particular preferably 0 to 25°C, most preferably at 0°C, in an inert organic solvent in the presence of a base [cf. DE 1 935 630].

Suitable solvents for the reaction with POC13 are aromatic hydrocarbons, such as toluene, o-, m-and p-xylene, halogenated hydrocarbons, such as methylene chloride, chloroform and chlorobenzene, particularly preferably methylene chloride, chloroform and toluene.

It is also possible to use mixtures of the solvents mentioned.

Suitable bases are, in general, organic bases, for example tertiary amines, such as trimethylamine, triethylamine, diiso- propylethylamine, N-methylpiperidine, pyridine, substituted pyridines, such as collidine, lutidine and 4-dimethylamino- pyridine, and also bicyclic amines. Particular preference is given to triethylamine.

The bases are generally employed in excess.

Following gentle concentration of the reaction mixture, the subsequent reaction, with ammonia, of the enol phosphate formed in the reaction is preferably carried out in nitriles, such as acetonitrile or propionitrile.

In general, an excess of POC13 and NH3 is used, based on III.

Process D The reaction of imido esters of formula VIII, previously released, for example, from the corresponding hydrochlorides using a base, with cyanoacetic derivatives of formula IV also gives a-cyanoacrylates of formula I: where R7 = Cl-C6-alkyl Preferably compounds of formula I wherein R1 is ORa are prepared according to this process. However compounds of formula I wherein R1 is NRbRC or SRd can be prepared analogous.

R7 is a Cl-C6-alkyl radical such as, for example, methyl or ethyl.

The imido esters are usually released from their salts using bases, such as potassium carbonate [cf. Houben-Weyl 1952, Vol. 8, 697].

The reaction with cyanoacrylates of formula IV is usually carried out at from 50°C to 100°C, preferably at from 80°C to 90°C, in an organic solvent [cf. Kenner et al. , J. Chem. Soc. 1943, 388].

Suitable solvents are ethers, such as dioxane, anisole and tetrahydrofuran, nitriles, such as acetonitrile and propionitrile, alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol and tert-butanol, particularly preferably ethanol.

It is also possible to use mixtures of other solvents mentioned.

The starting materials are generally reacted with one another in equimolar amounts. It may be advantageous to employ an excess of VIII, based on IV.

The imido ester hydrochlorides required for preparing the compounds I are known from the literature [cf. Pinner, Die Iminoather und ihre Derivate, [The imino ethers and their derivatives], Berlin 1892] or they can be prepared in accordance

with the literature cited, especially from the respective nitriles.

Process E The reaction of amidines of formula IX, previously released, for example, from the corresponding hydrochlorides using a base, with cyanoacetic derivatives of formula IV also gives a-cyanoacrylates of formula I: Preferably compounds of formula I wherein R1 is oRa are prepared according to this process. However compounds of formula I wherein R1 is NRbRC or SRd can be prepared analogous.

The amidines are usually released from their salts using bases, such as, for example, potassium carbonate [cf. Houben-Weyl 1952, Vol. 8,702].

The reaction with cyanoacrylates of formula IV is usually carried out at from 80°C to 130°C, preferably at from 90°C to 100°C, in an inert organic solvent [cf. Hull et al. , J. Chem. Soc. 1946, 357] Suitable solvents are aromatic hydrocarbons, such as toluene, o-, m-and p-xylene, alcohols, such as ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol and tert-butanol, particularly preferably ethanol.

Suitable bases for releasing the amidines from their salts are, in general, inorganic compounds, such as alkali metal and alkaline earth metal carbonates, such as lithium carbonate, potassium carbonate and calcium carbonate, and also alkali metal and alkaline earth metal alkoxides, such as sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide, potassium ethoxide, potassium tert-butoxide, potassium tert-pentoxide, and furthermore ammonia. Particular preference is given to potassium carbonate and ammonia.

The starting materials are generally reacted with one another in equimolar amounts. It may be advantageous to employ an excess of IX, based on IV.

The amidine hydrochlorides required for preparing the compounds I are known from the literature [Houben-Weyl; 1952, Vol. 8,702 f. ], or they can be prepared in accordance with the literature cited, especially from the respective nitriles.

Process F Enaminonitriles of formula X are reacted with phosgene (COC12) to give the corresponding acid chloride of formula XI, which is then reacted with a compound of formula XII in the presence of a base to give the a-cyanoacrylates of formula I: NH2 NH2 , H 0, COC. , 3 R'R base X xi The reaction with phosgene is usually carried out at from 20°C to 120°C, preferably at from 25°C to 85°C, in inert organic solvent [cf. Ohoka et al, J. Org. Chem. 38,1973, 2287].

Suitable solvents are aliphotic hydrocarbons, such as pentane, hexane, cyclohexane and mixtures of Cs-C8-alkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons, such as toluene, o-, m-and p-xylene, halogenated hydrocarbons, such as methylene chloride, chloroform and chlorobenzene, ethers, such as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, anisole and tetrahydrofuran, nitriles, such as acacetonitrile and propionitrile, particulary preferably aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene.

It is also possible to use nitriles of solvents mentioned.

Phosgene is generally employed in excess based on X, preferably are used 4 equivalents of phosgene.

It is also possible to use equivalents of phosgene like diphosgene or triphosgene. Preferred is phosgene.

Works up can be carried out in a manner known per se to afford the product.

The starting materials required for preparing the enaminonitrile of formular X are known from the literature [Fomum et al, J.

Chem. Soc. Perkin Trans 1,1973. 1108], or they can be prepared in accerdance with the literature cited.

The reacted of the said chloride of formula XI with a compund of formula XII is usually carried and at temperatures of from 0°C to 50°C, preferably of from 10°C to 25°C, in an inert organic solvent in the presence of a base [cf. Ohoka et al. , J. Org. Chem.

38,1973, 2287].

Suitable solvents are aliphatic hydrocarbons such as pentane, hexane, cyclohexane and mixtures of C5-C6-alkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons, such as toluene, o-, m-, and p-xylene, halogenoted hydrocarbons, such as methylene chloride, chloroform and chlorobenzol, ethers, such as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, tert. -butyl methyl ether and tetrahydrofuran, nitriles, such as acetonitril and propionitrile, particularly preferably tetrahydrofuran, toluene and tert. -butyl methyl ether.

It is also possible to use mixtures of solvents mentioned.

Suitable bases are, in general, inorganic compounds, such as alkali metal and alkaline earth metal carbonates, such as lithium carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate and calcium carbonate; and also alkali metal, hydrogencarbonates, such as sodium hydrogen carbonate; furthermore organic bases, for example tertiary amines, such as trimethylamine, triethylamine, diiso- propylethylamine, N-methylpiperidine, pyridine, substituted pyridines such as collidine, lutidine and 4-dimethylaminopyri- dine, and also bicylic amines. Particular preference is given to trimethylamine.

The bases are generally empolyed in equimolar amounts.

The starting materials are generally reacted with one another in equimolar amounts. It may be advantogeons to empolyan acess of XII based on XI. a-cyonoacrylates of formula I wherein R1 is ORa with Ra is hydrogen can for example be prepared by hydrolysis of the respective acid chloride (see Houben-Weyl, 1952, Vol. 8,425 f) or by hydrolysis of the respective ester (see Houben-Weyl, 1952, Vol. 8,421 f).

The resulting acid can be transformed by common methods into desired ester derivatives. (Houben-Weyl, 1952, Vol. 8,516 f, 522 f).

The present invention also provides novel enol ethers of formula II where R1 to R4 have the meanings mentioned for the compounds of the formula I and R5 is Cl-C6-alkyl (such as, for example, methyl or ethyl) or benzyl.

The enol ethers of formula II are present as an (E)/ (Z) mixture in a ratio of from 95: 5 to 5: 95. It is possible to separate the isomers, for example by chromatographic methods.

With respect to the variables, the particularly preferred embodiments of the intermediates correspond to those of radicals R1 to R4 of formula I.

Particular preference is given to the compounds of formula II in wherein Rl is ORa wherein Ra is branched C3-C6-alkyl ; particularly preferably 1-methylethyl, 2-methylpropyl or 1, 1-dimethylethyl ; and R2 is Cl-C4-alkyl ; particularly preferably methyl, ethyl or n-propyl ; especially preferably methyl or ethyl; R3 is C2-C4-alkyl ; particularly preferably ethyl or n-propyl ; especially preferably ethyl or n-propyl ; and R4 is hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine; particularly preferably hydrogen.

Particular preference is also given to compounds of formula II wherein R1 is NRbRC wherein Rb and Rc are independently of each other hydrogen or Cl-C6-alkyl ;

preferably hydrogen or Cl-C4-alkyl ; particular preferably hydrogen, ethyl, n-propyl or i-propyl ; R2 is Cl-C4-alkyl ; preferably methyl, ethyl ; or n-propyl ; R3 is C2-C4-alkyl ; preferably ethyl or n-propyl ; and R4 is hydrogen.

Particular preference is also given to compounds of formular II wherein R1 is SRd wherein Rd is hydrogen or Cl-C6-alkyl ; preferably hydrogen or Cl-C4-alkyl ; particular preferably hydrogen, ethyl, n-propyl or i-propyl ; R2 is Cl-C4-alkyl ; preferably methyl, ethyl, or n-propyl ; R3 is C2-C4-alkyl, preferably ethyl or n-propyl ; and R4 is hydrogen.

The present invention also provides novel enol esters of formula VI where R1 to R4 have the meanings mentioned for the compounds of formula I and R6 is Cl-C6-alkyl, (such as, for example, isopropyl or tert-butyl, preferably tert-butyl), phenyl or benzyl.

The enol esters of formula VI are present as an (E)/ (Z) mixture in a ratio of from 95: 5 to 5: 95, usually in a ratio of 50: 50. It is possible to separate the isomers, for example by chromatographic methods.

With respect to the variables, the particularly preferred embodiments of the intermediates correspond to those of radicals R1 to R4 in the formula I.

Particular preference is given to the compounds of formula VI in wherein R1 is ORa wherein Ra is branched C3-C6-alkyl ; particularly preferably 1-methylethyl, 2-methylpropyl or 1, 1-dimethylethyl ; and R2 is Cl-C4-alkyl ; particularly preferably methyl, ethyl or n-propyl ; especially preferably methyl or ethyl; also especially preferably ethyl or n-propyl ; R3 is C2-C4-alkyl ; particularly preferably ethyl; and R4 is hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine; particularly preferably hydrogen.

Particular preference is also given to compounds of formular VI wherein R1 is NRbRC wherein Rb and Rc are independently of each other hydrogen or Cl-C6-alkyl ; preferably hydrogen or Cl-C4-alkyl ; particular preferably hydrogen, ethyl, n-propyl or i-propyl ; R2 is Cl-C4-alkyl ; preferably methyl, ethyl, or n-propyl ; R3 is C2-C4-alkyl ; preferably ethyl or n-propyl ; and R4 is hydrogen.

Particular preference is also given to compounds of formular VI wherein R1 is SRd wherein Rd is hydrogen or Cl-C6-alkyl ; preferably hydrogen or Ci-C4-alkyl ; particular preferably hydrogen, ethyl, n-propyl or i-propyl ;

R2 is Cl-C4-alkyl ; preferably methyl, ethyl, or n-propyl ; R3 is C2-C4-alkyl; preferably ethyl or n-propyl ; and R4 is hydrogen.

Example 4. 1 Isopropyl (2Z) -3-amino-2-cyano-4-ethyl-2-hexenoate NH20 CH3 4 H3c---) Example 4. 1 3 3 CN H3c CN According to process C: 1. Isopropyl (2Z) -3-hydroxy-2-cyano-4-ethyl-2-hexenoate 22.2 g (0.16 mol) of 2-ethylbutyryl chloride were added to a solution of 21 g (0.16 mol) of isopropyl cyanoacetate in CH2Cl2, and the reaction mixture was cooled to 0°C. At this temperature, with ice-cooling, 33.5 g (0.33 mol) of triethylamine were added dropwise, and the mixture was then stirred at 25°C for 2 h.

Following subsequent acidic hydrolysis, the organic phase was washed, dried and concentrated. Purification by customary methods gave 24.4 g of the title compound (68% of theory) as a colorless oil (b. p. 70-75°C/1. 5 mbar).

2. Isopropyl (2Z) -3-amino-2-cyano-4-ethyl-2-hexenoate 24.4 g (0.11 mol) of isopropyl (2Z) -3-hydroxy-2-cyano-4-ethyl- 2-hexenoate were dissolved in CH2C12 and, at 25°C, 33.2 g (0.22 mol) of POC13 were added. After cooling to 0°C, 43.8 g (0.44 mol) of triethylamine were added dropwise, and the mixture was stirred at 25°C for 2 h. The solution was then concentrated and the residue was taken up in acetonitrile and cooled to 0°C, and 30 g (0.44 mol) of a 25 percent strength solution of ammonia were added dropwise. After 2 h of stirring, the mixture was concentrated to dryness, the residue was taken up in MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether) and the organic phase was washed with NaOH and water, dried and concentrated. Purification by customary methods gave 10 g (40% of theory) of the title compound as a colorless solid (m. p. 140°C).

According to process F: 1.3-Amino-2-cyano-4-ethyl-2-hexene 13.1 g (94 mmol) of 1-Cyano-3-ethyl-2-oxo-pentane were dissolved in toluene and 15 g (194 mmol) ammonium acetate and 1 ml dry ace- tic acid were added. The mixture was reflured 2 h and then cooled to room temperature. The mixture was washed, dried and concentra- ted. Perification by customary methods gove 13. 1 g (100 % of theory) of the title compound as a oil.

2. (2Z) -3-Amino-2-cyano-4-ethyl-2-hexenoyl chloride 250 ml toluene were cooled to 0°C and 40 g (0.4 mol) of phosgene were added. After warming up to 25 °C, 13.8 g (0.1 mol) of 3-amino-2-cyano-4-ethyl-2-hexene in toluene were added. The reaction mixture was heated at 70°C for 4 h, then the unreacted phosgene was removed by blowing out with dry N2. After cooling to 25°C the product precipitated. Filtration and washing with diethyl ether gave 12 g (60 % of theory) of the title compound as a yellow solid (m. p. 102°C).

3. Isopropyl (2Z) -3-amino-2-cyano-4-ethyl-2-hexenoate 12 g (60 mmol) of (2Z)-3-amino-2-cyano-4-ethyl-2-hexenoyl chloride were dissolved in CH2Cl2 and 3.6 g (60 mmol) of isopro- panole were added. At 20°C to 25°C 6.1 g (60 mmol) of triethyl- amine were added dropwise and the solution was stirred at 25°C for 4 h. The solution was washed with water, the organic phase was seperated, dried and concentrated. Crystallisation from diiso- propyl ether gave 12.4 g of the title compound (92 % of theory) as a colorless solid (m. p. 140°C).

Example 4.14 3-Oxetanyl (2Z)-3-amino-2-cyano-4-ethyl-2-hexenoat r r ? H3C 0 Example 4. 14. H3c CN According to process A: 1.3-Oxetanyl-cyanoethanoate

23.2 g (0.29 mol) of 3-oxetanol and 3 g (0.025 mol) of dimethyl- aminopyridine were added to a solution of 25 g (0.29 mol) of cyanoacetic acid in CH2Cl2. After cooling to 0°C, 66.8 g (0.32 mol) of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) in CH2Cl2 were added drop- wise and the reaction micxture was stirred at 25°C for 2 h. The solid was removed and the solution was concentrated. Purification by customary methods gave 42 g of the title compound (100 % of theory) as a colorless oil.

2.3-Oxetanyl (2Z)-2-cyano-4-ethyl-3-hydroxy-2-hexanoate 42 g (0.29 mol) of 3-oxetanyl-cyanoethanoat were dissolved in CH2C12 and 39 g (0.29 mol) of 2-ethyl-butanoyl cloride were added.

The mixture was coold to 0°C and 29.3 g (0.29 mol) of triethyl- amine were added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 25°C for 2 h. Following subsequent acidic hydrolysis the organic phase was washed, dried and concentrated. Purification by customary methods gave 41.5 g of the title compound (60 % of theory) as a reddish oil.

3.3-Oxetanyl (2Z) -3-amino-2-cyano-4-ethyl-2-hexanoat 5 g (21 mmol) of 3-oxetanyl (2Z) -2-cyano-4-ethyl-2-hexanoat were dissolved in acetonitrile and 30 mmol of diazomethane in ether were added at 25°C. After 10 min 50 ml (0.65 mol) of a 25 % ammonia solution were added and the reaction mixture was stirred for 1 h. Following subsequent addition of tert. -butyl methyl ether, the organic phase was washed, dried and concentrated.

Crystallisation from diisopropyl ether gave 2 g of the title compound (40 % of theory) as a colorless solid (m. p. 175°C).

Example 4.42 (2Z)-3-Amino-2-cyano-4-ethyl-2-hexene acid NH, 0 z CYTOH Example 4. 42 H3C 3 g (15 mmol) of (2Z)-3-amino-2-cyano-4-ethyl-2-hexenoyl chloride dissolved in acetonitrile were added dropwise to a solution of 2. 6 g (30 mmol) NaHCO3 in water. The solution was stirred at 25°C for 30 min, then concentrated to dryness and the residue was taken up in methanol. The precipitate was seperated and the fil- trate concencentrated to dryness again. The residue was dissolved in water and saturated KHSO4-solution was added. Filtration of the

precipitate gave 2 g of the title compound (73 % of theory) as a colorless solid (m. p. 150°C).

The compounds listed in Table 4 below can be prepared analogously to the above mentioned exemples: Table 4 m. p. Example No. R1 [°C] 4.1 iC3H7 140 4. 2 CH (CH3) CH2CH3 162 4.3 CH (CH2CH3) 2 178 4. 4 C (CH3) 3 150 4. 5 CH2CH(CH3)2 125 4.6 CH2C(CH3)3 160 4.7 C(CH3)CH(CH3)2 114 4. 8 CH (CH3) CH2CH (CH3) 2 112 4. 9 C (CH3) (C2H5) 2 112 4.10 cyclopropyl 4.11 cyclopentyl 140 4.12 cyclohexyl 154 4.13 cyclopropylmethyl 125 4.14 3-oxetanyl 175 4.15 3-thietanyl 4. 16 CH (CH3) CH=CH2 145 4. 17 CH2C (CH3) CH2 78 4. 18 C (CH3) 2CH=CH2 102 4. 19 CH2C#CH 94 4.20 CH (CH3) C=CH 134 4. 21 C (CH3) 2C#CH oil 4.22 (CH2) 2CF3 85 4.23 (CH2) 2Cl 2 4. 24 CH(CH2Cl)2 145 4. 25 CH2CF3 115 4. 26 CH2CC13 200 4.27 (CH2) 2SCH3 54 4. 28 CH (CH3) CH2SCH3 4.29 (CH2) 3Cl 95 4. 30 CH (CH3) CH2Cl 142 4. 31 CH2CH=C (CH3) 2 98 4. 32 C6H5 180 4. 33 CH2C6H5 87 4. 34 CH (CH3) C6H5 118 4. 35 CH (CH3) CN 68 4. 36 CH (CH3) C02CH3'115-120

m. p. Example No. 4. 37 CH (CH3) CONH2 180 4. 38 3-tetrahydrofuranyl 105-110 4. 39 CH (CH3) (CF3) 135 4. 40 CH (CF3) 2 148 4. 41 N=C (CH3) 2 160 4.42 H 165 4. 43 2-tetrahydrofuranyl 180 The compounds listed below in table 5 can be prepared analogously to the above mentioned examples: Table 5 Example No. Ra R2 R3 m.p. [°C] 5.1 CH(CH3)2 CH2SCH3 (CH2)4CH3 96 5.2 CH (CH3) 2 CH2OCH3 CH2CH3 80 5.3 CH (CH3) 2 C2H5 nC3H7 118-120 5.4 CH (CH3) 2 CH2CH (CH3) 2 C2H5 143-145 5. 5 CH (CH3) 2 C2H5 CH2CH2CH (CH3) 2 83-84 5. 6 CH (CH3) 2 nC3H7 nC3H7 140 5. 7 CH CH2CH=CH2C2H5108 5. 8 CH(CH3)2 CH2CH=C(CH3)2 C2H5 103-105 5. 9 CH (CH3) 2 CH2CH=CH2 CH2CH=CH2 104 5.10 CH (CH3) 2 CH2C=CH CsHs 78-80 5.11 CH (CH3) 2 CH2CH=CH2 CH2C=CH 79 5. 12 CH (C2H5) 2CH3CH3108 The compounds listed below in table 6 can be prepared analogous to one of the aforementioned processes: Table 6 Example No. Rb Rc R2 R3 m.p. [°C] 6. 1 H H C2H5 C2H5 125 6. 2 H CH3 C2H5 C2H5 146 6.3 H C2H5 C2H5 C2H5 104-106 6. 4 H nC3H7 C2H5 C2H5 110

Example No. Rb Rc R2 R3 m. p. [°C] 6. 5 H CH (CH3) 2 C2H5 C2H5 164 6.6 H CH2CH (CH3) 2 C2H5 C2H5 139 6. 7 H CH (CH3) C2H5 C2H5 C2HS 6.8 H tC4H9 C2H5 C2H5 88 6.9 H CH2CH=CH2 C2H5 C2H5 90 6.10 H C (CH3) 2CH=CH2 C2H5 C2H5 50 6.11 H CH (CH3) CH20H C2H5 C2H5 6.12 H CH (CH3) CH20CH3 C2H5 C2H5 100 6.13 H CH (CH3) CH2OC2H5 C2H5 C2H5 47 6.14 H CH (C2H5) CH2OH C2H5 C2H5 oil 6.15 H CH (C2H5) CH2OCH3 C2H5 C2H5 118 6.16 H CH (C2H5) CH20C2H5 C2H5 C2H5 6.17 H CH (CH2OH) 2 C2H5 C2H5 6.18 H CH (CH3) CH (OCH3) 2 C2H5 C2H5 6.19 H 3-tetrahydro- C2H5 C2H5 79 furanyl 6. 20 H (2, 2-dimethyl-1, C2H5 C2H5 3-dioxan)-5-yl 6. 21 CH3 CH3 C2H5 C2H5 132 6. 22 CH3 C2H5 C2H5 C2H5 6.23 CH3 nC3H7 C2H5 C2H5 6.24 C2H5 C2H5 C2H5 C2H5 93 6. 25 -(CH2)4- C2H5 C2H5 73 6. 26 -(CH2)4- C2H5 nC4H9 oil 6.27- (CH2) 5- C2H5 C2H5 6. 28 -(CH2)6- C2H5 C2H5 125 6.29 H C6H5 C2H5 C2H5 124 6.30 H CH (C2H5) 2 C2H5 C2H5 165 6. 31 H CH(CH3)CH(OH)CH3 C2H5 C2H5 154 6. 32 H CH (CH3) CH (OCH3) 2 C2H5 C2H5 71 6. 33 H (S) -CH (CH3) C2H5 C2H5 C2H5 142 6.34 H (R)-CH (CH3) C2H5 C2H5 C2H5 142 The compounds listed below in table 7 can be prepared analogous to one of the aforementioned processes:

Table 7 Example No. Rd R2 R3 m. p. [°C] 7. 1. C2H5 C2H5 C2H5 7.2. nC3H7 C2H5 C2H5 7. 3. CH (CH3) 2 C2H5 C2H5 115 Biological application The a-cyanoacrylates of the formula I and their agriculturally useful salts are suitable for use as herbicides. The herbicidal compositions comprising compounds of the formula I control vege- tation on non-crop areas very efficiently, especially at high rates of application. They act against broad-leaved weeds and grass weeds in crops such as wheat, rice, maize, soya and cotton without causing any significant damage to the crop plants. This effect is mainly observed at low rates of application.

Depending on the application method, the compounds in question of the formula I, or herbicidal compositions comprising them, can additionally be employed in a further number of crop plants for eliminating undesirable plants. Examples of suitable crops are the following: Allium cepa, Ananas comosus, Arachis hypogaea, Asparagus officinalis, Beta vulgaris spec. altissima, Beta vulgaris spec. rapa, Brassica napus var. napus, Brassica napus var. napobras- sica, Brassica rapa var. silvestris, Camellia sinensis, Carthamus tinctorius, Carya illinoinensis, Citrus limon, Citrus sinensis, Coffea arabica (Coffea canephora, Coffea liberica), Cucumis sativus, Cynodon dactylon, Daucus carota, Elaeis guineensis, Fragaria vesca, Glycine max, Gossypium hirsutum, (Gossypium arboreum, Gossypium herbaceum, Gossypium vitifolium), Helianthus annuus, Hevea brasiliensis, Hordeum vulgare, Humulus lupulus, Ipomoea batatas, Juglans regia, Lens culinaris, Linum usitatissimum, Lycopersicon lycopersicum, Malus spec. , Manihot esculenta, Medicago sativa, Musa spec. , Nicotiana tabacum (N. ru- stica), Olea europaea, Oryza sativa, Phaseolus lunatus, Phaseolus vulgaris, Picea abies, Pinus spec. , Pisum sativum, Prunus avium,

Prunus persica, Pyrus communis, Ribes sylvestre, Ricinus communis, Saccharum officinarum, Secale cereale, Solanum tuberosum, Sorghum bicolor (s. vulgare), Theobroma cacao, Trifo- lium pratense, Triticum aestivum, Triticum durum, Vicia faba, Vitis vinifera and Zea mays.

In addition, the compounds of the formula I may also be used in crops which tolerate the action of herbicides owing to breeding, including genetic engineering methods.

The compounds of the formula I, or the compositions comprising them, can be used for example in the form of ready-to-spray aqueous solutions, powders, suspensions, also highly-concentrated aqueous, oily or other suspensions or dispersions, emulsions, oil dispersions, pastes, dusts, materials for spreading, or granules, by means of spraying, atomizing, dusting, spreading or pouring.

The use forms depend on the intended aims; in any case, they should ensure the finest possible distribution of the active compounds according to the invention.

The herbicidal compositions comprise a herbicidally effective amount of at least one compound of the formula I or an agricultu- rally useful salt of I and auxiliaries customarily used for for- mulative crop protection results.

Suitable inert auxiliaries are essentially: mineral oil fractions of medium to high boiling point, such as kerosene and diesel oil, furthermore coal tar oils and oils of vegetable or animal origin, aliphatic, cyclic and aromatic hydro- carbons, e. g. paraffins, tetrahydronaphthalene, alkylated naph- thalenes and their derivatives, alkylated benzenes and their derivatives, alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol and cyclohexanol, ketones such as cyclohexanone, strongly polar solvents, e. g. amines such as N-methylpyrrolidone, and water.

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

Suitable surfactants (adjuvants) are the alkali metal salts, al- kaline earth metal salts and ammonium salts of aromatic sulfonic acids, e. g. ligno-, phenol-, naphthalene-and dibutylnaphthalene- sulfonic acid, and of fatty acids, alkyl-and alkylarylsulfona- tes, alkyl sulfates, lauryl ether sulfates and fatty alcohol sul- fates, and salts of sulfated hexa-, hepta-and octadecanols, and also of fatty alcohol glycol ethers, condensates of sulfonated naphthalene and its derivatives with formaldehyde, condensates of naphthalene, or of the naphthalenesulfonic acids with phenol and formaldehyde, polyoxyethylene octylphenol ether, ethoxylated iso- octyl-, octyl-or nonylphenol, alkylphenyl or tributylphenyl polyglycol ether, alkylaryl polyether alcohols, isotridecyl al- cohol, fatty alcohol/ethylene oxide condensates, ethoxylated castor oil, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers or polyoxypropylene alkyl ethers, lauryl alcohol polyglycol ether acetate, sorbitol esters, lignin-sulfite waste liquors or methylcellulose.

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

Granules, e. g. coated granules, impregnated granules and homogeneous granules, can be prepared by binding the active compounds to solid carriers. Solid carriers are mineral earths, such as silicas, silica gels, silicates, talc, kaolin, limestone, lime, chalk, bole, loess, clay, dolomite, diatomaceous earth, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium oxide, ground syn- thetic materials, fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate, ureas, and products of vegetable origin, such as cereal meal, tree bark meal, wood meal and nuts- hell meal, cellulose powders, or other solid carriers.

The concentrations of the active compounds I in the ready-to-use preparations can be varied within wide ranges. In general, the formulations comprise approximately from 0.001 to 98% by weight, preferably 0.01 to 95% by weight of at least one active compound.

The active compounds I are employed in a purity of from 90% to 100%, preferably 95% to 100% (according to NMR spectrum).

The formulation examples which follow illustrate the preparation of such products: I. 20 parts by weight of example 4.1 are dissolved in a mix- ture composed of 80 parts by weight of alkylated benzene, 10 parts by weight of the adduct of 8 to 10 mol of ethylene oxide to 1 mol of oleic acid N-monoethanolamide, 5 parts by weight of calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate and 5 parts by

weight of the adduct of 40 mol of ethylene oxide to 1 mol of castor oil. Pouring the solution into 100,000 parts by weight of water and finely distributing it therein gives an aqueous dispersion which comprises 0. 02% by weight of the active compound.

II. 20 parts by weight of example 4.13 are dissolved in a mix- ture composed of 40 parts by weight of cyclohexanone, 30 parts by weight of isobutanol, 20 parts by weight of the adduct of 7 mol of ethylene oxide to 1 mol of isooctyl- phenol and 10 parts by weight of the adduct of 40 mol of ethylene oxide to 1 mol of castor oil. Pouring the solution into 100,000 parts by weight of water and finely distribut- ing it therein gives an aqueous dispersion which comprises 0. 02% by weight of the active compound.

III. 20 parts by weight of example 5. 7 are dissolved in a mix- ture composed of 25 parts by weight of cyclohexanone, 65 parts by weight of a mineral oil fraction of boiling point 210 to 280°C and 10 parts by weight of the adduct of 40 mol of ethylene oxide to 1 mol of castor oil. Pouring the solution into 100,000 parts by weight of water and finely distributing it therein gives an aqueous dispersion which comprises 0. 02% by weight of the active compound.

IV. 20 parts by weight of example 4.16 are mixed thoroughly with 3 parts by weight of sodium diisobutylnaphthalene- a-sulfonate, 17 parts by weight of the sodium salt of a lignosulfonic acid from a sulfite waste liquor and 60 parts by weight of pulverulent silica gel, and the mixture is ground in a hammer mill. Finely distributing the mixture in 20,000 parts by weight of water gives a spray mixture which comprises 0. 1% by weight of the active compound.

V. 3 parts by weight of an active compound of example 4.30 are mixed with 97 parts by weight of finely divided kaolin.

This gives a dust which comprises 3% by weight of active compound.

VI. 20 parts by weight of an active compound of example 4.2 are mixed intimately with 2 parts by weight of calcium dodecyl- benzenesulfonate, 8 parts by weight of fatty alcohol poly- glycol ether, 2 parts by weight of the sodium salt of a phenol/urea/formaldehyde condensate and 68 parts by weight of a paraffinic mineral oil. This gives a stable oily dis- persion.

VII. 1 part by weight of an active compound of example 5.2 is dissolved in a mixture composed of 70 parts by weight of cyclohexanone, 20 parts by weight of ethoxylated isooctyl- phenol and 10 parts by weight of ethoxylated castor oil.

The mixture can then be diluted with water to the desired concentration of active compound. This gives a stable emulsion concentrate.

VIII. 1 part by weight of an active compound of example 4.25 is dissolved in a mixture composed of 80 parts by weight of cyclohexanone and 20 parts by weight of Wettol0 EM 31 (= nonionic emulsifier based on ethoxylated castor oil from BASF). The mixture can then be diluted with water to the desired concentration of active compound. This gives a stable emulsion concentrate.

The compounds of the formula I or the herbicidal compositions can be applied pre-or post-emergence. If the active compounds are less well tolerated by certain crop plants, application techni- ques may be used in which the herbicidal compositions are sprayed, with the aid of the spraying equipment, in such a way' that they come into as little contact as possible, if any, with the leaves of the sensitive crop plants, while the active compounds reach the leaves of undesirable plants growing under- neath, or the bare soil surface (post-directed, lay-by).

The rates of application of the compound of the formula I are from 0.001 to 3.0, preferably 0.01 to 1.0, kg/ha of active sub- stance (a. s. ), depending on the control target, the season, the target plants and the growth stage.

To widen the spectrum of action and to achieve synergistic effects, the a-cyanoacrylates of the formula I may be mixed with a large number of representatives of other herbicidal or growth- regulating active compounds and then applied concomitantly. Sui- table components for mixtures are, for example, 1,2, 4-thiadiazo- les, 1,3, 4-thiadiazoles, amides, aminophosphoric acid and its derivatives, aminotriazoles, anilides, aryl/hetaryl-oxyalkanoic acids and their derivatives, benzoic acid and its derivatives, benzothiadiazinones, 2- (hetaroyl/aroyl)-1, 3-cyclohexanediones, hetaryl aryl ketones, benzyl-isoxazolidinones, meta-CF3-phenyl derivatives, carbamates, quinolinecarboxylic acid and its deri- vates, chloroacetanilides, cyclohexane-1, 3-dione derivatives, diazines, dichloropropionic acid and its derivatives, dihydroben- zofurans, dihydrofuran-3-ones, dinitroanilines, dinitrophenols, diphenyl ethers, dipyridyls, halocarboxylic acids and their deri- vatives, ureas, 3-phenyluracils, imidazoles, imidazolinones, N-

phenyl- 3,4, 5, 6-tetrahydrophthalimides, oxadiazoles, oxiranes, phenols, aryloxy-and hetaryloxyphenoxypropionic esters, phenylacetic acid and its derivatives, 2-phenylpropionic acid and its derivatives, pyrazoles, phenylpyrazoles, pyridazines, pyridinecarboxylic acid and its derivatives, pyrimidyl ethers, sulfonamides, sulfonylu- reas, triazines, triazinones, triazolinones, triazolecarboxamides and uracils.

It may furthermore be advantageous to apply the compounds I, alone or in combination with other herbicides, in the form of a mixture with other crop protection agents, for example together with agents for controlling pests or phytopathogenic fungi or bacteria. Also of interest is the miscibility with mineral salt solutions, which are employed for treating nutritional and trace element deficiencies. Non-phytotoxic oils and oil concentrates may also be added.

Use examples The herbicidal activity of the a-cyanoacrylates of the formula I was demonstrated by the following greenhouse experiment : The cultivation containers used were plastic flowerpots containing lomy sand with approximately 3. 0% of humus as the substrate. The seeds of the test plants were sown separately for each species.

For the pre-emergence treatment, directly after sowing the active compounds, which had been suspended or emulsified in water, were applied by means of finely distributing nozzles. The containers were irrigated gently to promote germination and growth and subsequently covered with transparent plastic hoods until the plant had rooted. This cover caused uniform germination of the test plants, unless this was adversely affected by reactive compounds. The application rate for a pre-emergence treatment was 0. 5 or 1.0 kg of a. s. (active substance)/ha.

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

treatment. The application rate for the post-emergence treatment was 0.5 or 1.0 kg of a. s. (active substance)/ha.

Depending on the species, the plants were kept at 10-25°C or 20-35°C. The test period extended over 2 to 4 weeks. During this time, the plants were tended, and their response to the individual treatments was evaluated.

Evaluation was carried out using a scale from 0 to 100.100 means no emergence of the plants, or complete destruction of at least the above-ground parts, and 0 means no damage, or normal course of growth.

The plants used in the greenhouse experiments were of the following species: Scientific name Common name Amaranthus retroflexus pig weed Digitaria sanguinalis hairy fingergrass Pharbitis purpurea common morningglory Setaria faberii giant foxtail The effect of example 4.1, applied by the pre-emergence method at application rates of 1.0 kg/ha, on the harmful plants Amaranthus retroflexus and Setaria faberii was very good.

At an application rate of 1.0 kg/ha, example 4.1 has shown very good post-emergence activity against the undesirable plants Pharbitis purpurea and Setaria faberii.

At an application rate of 1.0 kg/ha at pre-emergence conditions the effect on harmful plants Digitaria sanguinalis and Sateria faberii of examples 4.5, 4.13, 4.16, 4.20, 4.30 and 5.7 was very good.

The effect of example 4.4, 4.6, 4.11, 4.14, 4.23, 4.25, 5.2, 5.3, 5.10 and 6.3 applied under the some conditions on the harmful plant Setaria faberii was very good.

Examples 4.7, 4.29 and 4.35 has shown a good effect under the some conditions against Setaria faberii.

At an application rate of 0.5 kg/ha at pre-emergence conditions the effect on harmful plants Digitaria sanguinalis and Sateria faberii of examples 4.2, 4.19, and 4.22 was very good.

The effect of example 4.17 applied under the some conditions on the harmful plant Digitaria sanguinalis was very good and applied on Setaria faberii was very good.

At an application rate of 1.0 kg/ha at post-emergence conditions the effect of examples 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.11, 4.20, 4.23, 4.29, 5.2, 5.6, 5.7, 5.9, 5.11, 6.3 and 7.3 was very good against unde- sirable plant Pharbitis purpurea. Example 4.7 has shown under the some conditions a good activity against Pharbitis purpurea.

Example 4.2 has shown a very good post-emergence actirity against Pharbitis purpurea at an application rate of 0.5 kg/ha.