Abstract: The invention relates to new diphenyl ethers of the general formula ##STR1## wherein X is a trifluoromethyl group or an alkylsulphonyl group having 1-4 carbon atoms;R is an alkylene or alkylidene group having 1-12 carbon atoms; andA is a bis(alkoxyethoxy)phosphinyl group having 6-12 carbon atoms, a bis(alkoxyethoxyethoxy)phosphinyl group having 10-16 carbon atoms, a carboxy group, an alkenyloxycarbonyl group having 3-6 carbon atoms, an unsubstituted aminocarbonyl group, an N-alkylaminocarbonyl group having 2-5 carbon atoms, the alkyl group of which is substituted with a dialkylamino group having 2-4 carbon atoms, a cyano group, or an alkyloxycarbonyl group having 2-5 carbon atoms, the alkyl group of which may be substituted with an alkoxy, alkylthio or alkylsulphonyl group having 1-4 carbon atoms, with an alkoxyethoxy group having 3-6 carbon atoms, with a dialkylamino group having 2-4 carbon atoms, or with a hydroxyalkyldithio group having 2-4 carbon atoms;with the provisos, that(a) when X is a trifluoromethy