Abstract: There are presented new diphenyl ether derivatives having a substituent selected from a halogen atom, a trifluoromethyl group and a methoxy group at the 4-position in one phenyl moiety, having optionally also halo-substituents at the 2- and 6-positions, and having a nitro group at the 4'-position and a substituent selected from an unsubstituted or substituted (1,3-dioxorane-4-yl)methoxy group, an unsubstituted or substituted (1,3-dioxa-5-cyclohexyloxy) group and an alkyl- or (substituted)amino-sulfonyloxy group at the 3'-position in the other phenyl moiety. They exhibit improved herbicidal effects on various weeds without any adverse phytotoxic effect on crops, e.g. rice seedlings.

Abstract: New diphenyl ether derivatives having one to three substituents selected from a halogen atom and a trifluoromethyl group at any optional one to three positions of the 2'-, 3'-, 4'-, 5'- and 6'-positions in one phenyl moiety and nitro group at the 4-position and unsubstituted or substituted aminosulfonyl group at the 3-position in another phenyl moiety. They have a superior herbicidal effect and can be prepared starting from a known 3-benzylmercapto compound through three steps.