Abstract: The present invention relates to crystalline forms of [3-(4,5-dihydro-3-isoxazolyl)-2-methyl-4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-(5-hydroxy-1-methyl-1 H-pyrazol-4-yl)methanone, which is also known under the common name topramezone. The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of these crystalline forms and formulations for plant protection which comprise one of these crystalline forms of topramezone.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing isoxazoles of the formula I where the substituents are as defined below: R1 is hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, R2 is C1-C6-alkyl, R3, R4, R5 are hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, or R4 and R5 together form a bond, R6 is a heterocyclic ring, n is 0, 1 or 2; which comprises preparing an intermediate of the formula VI where R1, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined above, followed by halogenation, thiomethylation, oxidation and acylation to give compounds of the formula I. Also novel intermediates for preparing the compounds of the formula I and novel processes for preparing the intermediates are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a crystalline form of 2-chloro-5-[3,6-dihydro-3-methyl-2,6-dioxo-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1-(2H)pyrimidinyl]-4-fluoro-N-[[methyl(1-methylethyl)-amino]sulfonyl]benzamide. The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of this crystalline form and to plant protection formulations which comprise this crystalline form of the phenyluracil.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of substituted pyridine derivatives of formula (I) comprising reaction of a ?-?-unsaturated carbonyl compound of formula (II) R3—C(O)—C(R1)?C(R2)-G with a Wittig reagent or Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reagent in the presence of a base and optionally subsequent cyclization.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing isoxazoles of the formula I where the substituents are as defined below: R1 is hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, R2 is C1-C6-alkyl, R3, R4, R5 are hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, or R4 and R5 together form a bond, R6 is a heterocyclic ring, n is 0, 1 or 2; which comprises preparing an intermediate of the formula VI where R1, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined above, followed by halogenation, thiomethylation, oxidation and acylation to give compounds of the formula I. Also novel intermediates for preparing the compounds of the formula I and novel processes for preparing the intermediates are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrates of 2-chloro-5-[3,6-dihydro-3-methyl-2,6-dioxo-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1-(2H)pyrimidinyl]-4-fluoro-N-[[methyl(1-methylethyl)amino]-sulfonyl]benzamide. The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of these hydrates and to plant protection formulations which comprise hydrates of the phenyluracil I.

Abstract: Benzoyl derivatives of the formula I where the variables have the following meanings: R1, R2 are hydrogen, nitro, halogen, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, alkylthio, haloalkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, haloalkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl or C1-C6-haloalkylsulfonyl; R3 is hydrogen, halogen or alkyl; R4, R5 are hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, dialkylamino, phenyl or carbonyl, it being possible for the 6 last-mentioned radicals to be substituted; X is O, S, NR9, CO or CR10R11; Y is O, S, NR12, CO or CR13R14; R15 is pyrazole which is unsubstituted or substituted, linked in the 4-position and has attached to it in the 5-position a hydroxyl or sulfonyloxy radical; and the agriculturally useful salts thereof; processes and intermediates for the preparation of the 3-heterocyclyl-substituted benzoyl derivatives; compositions comprising them; and the use of these derivatives or compositions comprising them for controlling undesirable plants.

Abstract: 4-Trifluoromethyl-2(1H)-pyridinone is prepared by reaction of 4-alkoxy-1,1,1-trifluorobut-3-en-2-one or 4,4-dialkoxy-1,1,1-trifluorobutan-2-one with a trialkyl phosphonoacetate followed by cyclization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing 1-alkyl-3-phenyluracils of the formula I where the variables R1 to R7 are as defined in the description by reacting 3-phenyluracils of the formula II and alkylating agents of the formula III R1-L1 ??III, with one another, wherein during the entire reaction the pH is kept in a range from 1 to 6 by adding base a little at a time.

Abstract: Benzoyl derivatives of the formula I where the variables have the following meanings: R1, R2 are hydrogen, nitro, halogen, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, alkylthio, haloalkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, haloalkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl or C1-C6-haloalkylsulfonyl; R3 is hydrogen, halogen or alkyl; R4, R5 are hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, dialkylamino, phenyl or carbonyl, it being possible for the 6 last-mentioned radicals to be substituted; X is O, S, NR9, CO or CR10R11; Y is O, S, NR12, CO or CR13R14; R15 is pyrazole which is unsubstituted or substituted, linked in the 4-position and has attached to it in the 5-position a hydroxyl or sulfonyloxy radical; and the agriculturally useful salts thereof; processes and intermediates for the preparation of the 3-heterocyclyl-substituted benzoyl derivatives; compositions comprising them; and the use of these derivatives or compositions comprising them for controlling undesirable plants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing 3-phenyl(thio)uracils and -dithiouracils of the formula I where the variables are each as defined in the description, and also intermediates for their preparation.

Abstract: In a continuous process for the preparation of alkyl nitrites and dinitrites, an alkanol or dialkanol is first mixed with an aqueous mineral acid, the reaction mixture obtained is then reacted with an inorganic nitrite and the product obtained can then be isolated immediately.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing isoxazoles of the formula I where the substituents are as defined below: R1 is hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, R2 is C1-C6-alkyl, R3, R4, R5 are hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, or R4 and R5 together form a bond, R6 is a heterocyclic ring, n is 0, 1 or 2; which comprises preparing an intermediate of the formula VI where R1, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined above, followed by halogenation, thiomethylation, oxidation and acylation to give compounds of the formula I. Also novel intermediates for preparing the compounds of the formula I and novel processes for preparing the intermediates are described.

Abstract: A process for preparing 4-thioalkylbromobenzene derivatives of the formula I where: R1 is C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C6-haloalkyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, C1-C6-haloalkoxy, C3-C8-cycloalkyl, halogen, R2 is C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, C3-C8-cycloalkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, cyano or a heterocyclic radical, R3 is C1-C6-alkyl, which comprises reacting a compound of the formula II, in which R1 and R2 are as defined above, with a dialkyl disulfide of the formula III R3—S—S—R3III in the presence of a nitrite and a catalyst in a suitable solvent is described.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of substituted pyridine derivatives of formula (I) comprising reaction of a ?-?-unsaturated carbonyl compound of formula (II) R3—C(O)—C(R1)?C(R2)-G ??(II) with a Wittig reagent or Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reagent in the presence of a base and if subsequent cyclization.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of unsubstituted or substituted 2-amino-[1,2,4]triazolopyrimidines which comprises combining A) 2-amino-pyrimidine or its derivatives with alkyloxycarbonyl isothiocyanate or aryloxycarbonyl isothiocyanate with B) hydroxyl ammonium salt and a base wherein the reaction is carried out in a polar aprotic organic solvent in the temperature range of from 40 to 150° C.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing isoxazoles of the formula I where the substituents are as defined below: R1 is hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, R2 is C1-C6-alkyl, R3, R4, R5 are hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, or R4 and R5 together form a bond, R6 is a heterocyclic ring, n is 0, 1 or 2; which comprises preparing an intermediate of the formula VI where R1, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined above, followed by halogenation, thiomethylation, oxidation and acylation to give compounds of the formula I. Also novel intermediates for preparing the compounds of the formula I and novel processes for preparing the intermediates are described.

Abstract: Benzoyl derivatives of the formula I where the variables have the following meanings: R1, R2 are hydrogen, nitro, halogen, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, alkylthio, haloalkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, haloalkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl or C1–C6-haloalkylsulfonyl; R3 is hydrogen, halogen or alkyl; R4, R5 are hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, dialkylamino, phenyl or carbonyl, it being possible for the 6 last-mentioned radicals to be substituted; X is O, S, NR9, CO or CR10R11; Y is O, S, NR12, CO or CR13R14; R15 is pyrazole which is unsubstituted or substituted, linked in the 4-position and has attached to it in the 5-position a hydroxyl or sulfonyloxy radical; and the agriculturally useful salts thereof; processes and intermediates for the preparation of the 3-heterocyclyl-substituted benzoyl derivatives, compositions comprising them; and the use of these derivatives or compositions comprising them for controlling undesirable plants.

Abstract: In a continuous process for the preparation of alkylnitrites and dinitrites, an alkanol or dialkanol is first mixed with an aqueous mineral acid, the reaction mixture obtained is then reacted with an inorganic nitrite and the product obtained can then be isolated immediately.

Abstract: A novel process for preparing the compounds of the formula I where: n is 0, 1 or 2; R1, R2 are C1-C6-alkyl; R3, R4, R5 are hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl, or R4 and R5 together form a bond; R6 is Cl, Br, which comprises a synthesis sequence starting from 1,2-dialkylbenzenes of the formula II with subsequent halogenation to give 3,6-dihalo-1,2-dialkylbenzenes, haloalkylation to give benzyl bromides, oxidation to give benzaldehydes, oximation, reaction with alkenes to give isoxazoles, conversion into thioethers and, if appropriate, oxidation to give sulfenyl or sulfonyl derivatives of the formula I.