Abstract: Biocidal proteins isolated from seeds have been characterised, in particular proteins isolated from members of the Brassicaceae, Compositae and Leguminosae families including Raphanus, Brassica, Sinapis, Arabidopsis, Dahlia, Cnicus, Lathyrus and Clitoria. The proteins show a wide range of antifungal activity and some are active against Gram-positive bacteria. All share a common amino acid sequence. DNA encoding the proteins has been isolated and incorporated into vectors. Plants transformed with this DNA may be produced. The proteins find commercial application as antifungal or antibacterial agents; transformed plants will show increased disease-resistance.

Abstract: A process for preparing a compound of formula (I), ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is optionally substituted alkyl or phenyl, R.sup.2 is COOH, and R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are independently selected from hydrogen, halo, haloalkyl, nitro, hydroxy, alkoxy, haloalkoxy or alkoxyalkoxy; which process comprises oxidising a compound of formula (II) ##STR2## where R.sup.1, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are as defined in relation to formula (I) and R.sup.5 is H, halo or C.sub.1-4 alkyl with sodium hypochlorite or sodium chlorite in the presence of a catalytic amount of a ruthenium or palladium compound and a phase transfer catalyst in an organic solvent at a pH of 7-11.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are independently hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, acetoxy or acyl, and processes for preparing the same.

Abstract: Certain fluoroalkanoic acids and derivatives, including 2-fluoroisobutyric acid and 2-fluoroisobutyryl chloride, useful as intermediates for fungicides, and methods of preparing them.

Abstract: A process for transforming a carbonyl compound into its corresponding epoxide, which comprises contacting the carbonyl compound with either trimethylsulphonium hydrogen sulphate and/or bis(trimethylsulphonium) sulphate or trimethylsulphoxonium hydrogen sulphate and/or bis(trimethylsulphoxonium) sulphate, in the presence of a base.

Abstract: A process for preparing 4,6-dichloropyrimidine comprising treating 4,6-dihydroxy-pyrimidine with phosgene in the presence of a suitable base and optionally in the presence of a solvent.

Abstract: A synergistic herbicidal composition containing (A) a cyclohexanedione compound of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein n is 0 or 1; and (B) a chloroacetanilide compound of the formula (II): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl; R.sup.2 is hydrogen or ethyl; R.sup.3 is hydrogen or methyl; and R.sup.4 is methyl, methoxy, methoxymethyl, ethoxy or butoxy. A method of controlling the growth of undesirable vegetation, particularly in crops, using this synergistic composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to substituted N-arylindoles, a process for producing them and their use as herbicides. In particular, this invention relates to substituted N-arylindoles of the formula ##STR1## wherein R, R.sup.3, X, Z, n and k are defined herein.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I):HetSCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.dbd.CF.sub.2 (I)wherein Het is an optionally substituted 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring, which comprises reacting a compound of formula (II):HetSH (II)with a compound of formula (III):CF.sub.2 .dbd.CHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 L (III)wherein L is chlorine or bromine or a group --OSO2R.sup.a wherein R.sup.a is a C1-4 alkyl group or a phenyl group optionally substituted by a C1-4 alkyl group.

Abstract: A fungicidal compound of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein A is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, C.sub.1-4 haloalkyl, C.sub.1-4 haloalkoxy, C.sub.1-4 alkylcarbonyl, C.sub.1-4 alkoxycarbonyl, phenoxy, nitro or cyano; and one of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 is optionally substituted isoquinoline while the other is hydrogen, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.1-4 haloalkyl, halogen or cyano.

Abstract: A process for preparing a compound of formula IIa or IIb: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 independently represent hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl; andA is an optionally substituted aromatic or heteroaromatic ring system; the process comprising the steps of:(a) reacting a racemic mixture of a compound of formula II: ##STR2## wherein R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and A are as defined for formulae IIa and IIb; with a sterically hindered chiral esterifying agent to form enantiomers of formulae IIIa and IIIb: ##STR3## wherein R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and A are as defined for formulae IIa and IIb and R.sup.15 is a chiral sterically hindered residue;b) separating the diastereoisomers of formulae IIIa and IIIb; and(c) converting the diastereoisomers of formulae IIIa and IIIb separately to compounds of formulae IIa and IIb respectively by acid or base hydrolysis. If required, the unwanted enantiomer of formula IIa or IIb may be inverted to give the preferred isomer.

Abstract: The invention provides novel compounds of formula (I) having nematicidal, insecticidal, acaricidal and fungicidal properties, compositions comprising them and processes and intermediates for their preparation: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is --S(O).sub.n CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.dbd.CF.sub.2 ;n is selected from 0, 1 and 2;R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, alkylcycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted arylalkyl, optionally substituted aryloxy, optionally substituted arylalkoxy, alkoxy, alkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylthio, alkenylthio, alkynylthio, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, haloalkoxy, haloalkenyloxy, haloalkynyloxy, haloalkylthio, haloalkenylthio, haloalkynylthio, halogen, hydroxy, cyano, nitro, --NR.sup.5 R.sup.6, --NR.sup.7 COR.sup.8, --NR.sup.9 SO.sub.2 R.sup.10, --N(SO.sub.2 --R.sup.11)(SO.sub.2 --R.sup.12), --COR.sup.13, --CONR.sup.14 R.sup.15, --COOR.sup.16, --OCOR.sup.17, --OSO.

Abstract: An isolated nuclear polyhedrosis virus strain having the characteristics of the sample deposited in the European Collection of Animal Cell Cultures under accession number V93071301.

Abstract: Herbicidal substituted hydroxybenzyl-heteroaryl compounds and derivatives thereof of the formula ##STR1## wherein Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl group having 2 or 3 ring nitrogen atoms or a substituted or unsubstituted 5-membered heteroaryl group having two ring heteroatoms, one of the ring heteroatoms being nitrogen and the other being sulfur or oxygen. Herbicidal compositions containing such substituted hydroxybenzyl-heteroaryl compounds and derivatives thereof and methods of controlling undesirable vegetation employing these compounds and derivatives are also disclosed. The compounds in which XR is hydroxyl are also useful as intermediates for producing the disclosed substituted hydroxybenzyl-heteroaryl derivatives.

Abstract: Herbicidal substituted hydroxybenzyl-heteroaryl compounds and derivatives thereof of the formula ##STR1## wherein Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl group having 2 or 3 ring nitrogen atoms or a substituted or unsubstituted 5-membered heteroaryl group having two ring heteroatoms, one of the ring heteroatoms being nitrogen and the other being sulfur or oxygen. Herbicidal compositions containing such substituted hydroxybenzyl-heteroaryl compounds and derivatives thereof and methods of controlling undesirable vegetation employing these compounds and derivatives are also disclosed. The compounds in which XR is hydroxyl are also useful as intermediates for producing the disclosed substituted hydroxybenzyl-heteroaryl derivatives.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a compound of general formula II: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen, or C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 hydrocarbyl or heterocyclyl having 3 to 8 ring atoms, either of which may optionally be substituted; each R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 is independently hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl; A is an optionally substituted aromatic or heteroaromatic ring system; and R.sup.21 is hydrogen, halogen, OH or OCONHR.sup.1, wherein R.sup.1 is as defined above; the process comprising cyclizing a compound of general formula III: ##STR2## wherein A, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.21 are as defined in general formula II and R.sup.25 is a leaving group such as a halogen atom; under basic conditions.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I) wherein Q is oxazol-2-yl, 1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl, C.sub.1-4 -oxadiazol-3-yl or 1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl; Z is CH or N; A is hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, 1,2,4 alkoxy, cyano, nitro or trifluoromethyl; X is halogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, OR.sup.1, SR.sup.1, SOR.sup.1, SO.sub.2 R.sup.1, COR.sup.1, CO.sub.2 R.sup.1, NR.sup.1 R.sup.2 or CONR.sup.1 R.sup.2 ; and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are, independently, hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted heteroaryl.

Abstract: A method of selectively controlling undesirable vegetation in corn by applying an herbicidally effective amount of 2-(2'-nitro-4'-trifluoromethylbenzoyl)- 1,3-cyclohexanedione to the locus of such vegetation.

Abstract: Intermediates of formula (I), ##STR1## wherein R is H or CH.sub.3 ; processes for preparing them and their use as chemical intermediates, especially for preparing fungicidal acrylic ester derivatives.

Abstract: A process for transforming a carbonyl compound into its corresponding epoxide, which comprises contacting the carbonyl compound with either trimethylsulphonium hydrogen sulphate and/or bis(trimethylsulphonium) sulphate or trimethylsulphoxonium hydrogen sulphate and/or bis(trimethylsulphoxonium) sulphate, in the presence of a base.