Abstract: A method for preparing chloromethylphenylacetic acids represented by formula (II): wherein a methylphenylacetic acid represented by formula (I): is reacted with a chlorine gas, in an inert solvent, under the irradiation with light or in the presence of a radical initiator, is disclosed. According to the preparation method, high purity chloromethylphenylacetic acids can be prepared at a high yield, without using toxic sulfuryl chloride as a chlorinating agent, by chlorinating the methyl group of the methylphenylacetic acids at a high selectivity while suppressing by-production of a dichloro form or &agr;-chloro form.

Abstract: A condensed heterocyclic derivative of the formula ##STR1## (wherein R is a hydroxyl group, R.sup.3 or R.sup.4 is an alkoxy group, W is an oxygen atom, Yn is a hydrogen atom, Z is a methine group, and A is a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring which may be substituted, and a herbicide, are presented. When used for paddy field treatment, upland soil treatment and foliage treatment, the condensed heterocyclic derivative of the present invention exhibits excellent herbicidal activities against gramineous and non-gramineous weeds without adversely affecting crop plants.

Abstract: A condensed heterocyclic derivative of the formula (I): ##STR1## (wherein R is a hydroxyl group, R.sup.3 or R.sup.4 is an alkoxy group, W is an oxygen atom, Yn is a hydrogen atom, Z is a methine group, and A is a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring which may be substituted, and a herbicide, are presented. When used for paddy field treatment, upland soil treatment and foliage treatment, the condensed heterocyclic derivative of the present invention exhibits excellent herbicidal activities against gramineous and non-gramineous weeds without adversely affecting crop plants.

Abstract: A herbicide containing a pyrimidine or triazine derivative of the formula (I): ##STR1## [wherein A is a furan ring, a pyrimidine ring, a 1,2,4-triazine ring or the like which may suitably be substituted, R is a hydroxyl group or a lower alkoxy group, each of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 which may be the same or different, is a halogen atom, a lower alkyl group or a lower alkoxy group, W is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, and Z is nitrogen or a methine group] and its salt, as an active ingredient, is presented. The pyrimidine or triazine derivative of the present invention has excellent herbicidal effects against noxious weeds in paddy fields, upland fields and non-agricultural fields.

Abstract: Herbicidal composition containing a compound having the following formula or its salt: ##STR1## wherein W is an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a NH group or a group of the formula, >NC(O)B;Z is a methine group or a nitrogen group;X is a phenyl group which may be substituted or a group having the formula: ##STR2## and n is an integer of from 1 to 3.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel pyridine derivative having the following general formula and its salt: ##STR1## wherein R is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an alkoxy group, an alkoxyalkoxy group, and derivatives;R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be the same or different, and are a hydrogen atom, an alkoxy group, a halogen atom, an alkylamino group, a dialkylamino group;Z is a methine group or a nitrogen atom;X.sup.1 is an acylamino group, a cycloalkyl group, a halogen-substituted alkoxy group, an alkenyloxy group, an alkynyloxy group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an alkylamino group, a dialkylamino group, a phenyl group.The pyridine derivative and its salt of the present invention achieve an excellent herbicidal effect on annual and perennial weeds growing in paddy fields and upland fields at a very small dosage.The pyridine derivative and its salt of the present invention have safety to rice, wheat, cotton and corn, and can be suitably applied as a herbicide to a field where these plants are cultivated.

Abstract: As new compound is provided a cyclohexane derivative of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrogen or a lower alkyl; R.sup.2 is a lower alkyl; R.sup.3 is a hydrogen, an alkyl, an alkenyl, a hydroxyalkyl, a cycloalkyl, a morpholino, an aminoalkyl, an N-alkylaminoalkyl, an N,N-di-alkylaminoalkyl, an alkoxycarbonylalkyl, a group of the formula --(CH.sub.2).sub.l --R.sup.4 where R.sup.4 is a lower alkoxy, a lower alkylthio, a benzylthio, an anilino, a morpholino, a piperazino, a piperidino or a lower alkyl-substituted piperidino and l is 2 or 3, a group of the formula ##STR2## where X is a halogen, a lower alkyl, a lower alkoxy, a phenoxy or an alkoxycarbonylalkyloxy, m is zero or 1 and n is an integer of zero to 2, inclusive, a group of the formula --CH.sub.2 --R.sup.5 where R.sup.5 is a furyl, a thenyl or a pyridyl, or a group of the formula ##STR3## where R.sup.5 is as defined above; or a salt of said cyclohexane derivative.

Abstract: A new compound is provided by a cyclohexane derivative of the formula ##STR1## wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, an alkylthioalkyl group or an unsubstituted or substituted phenyl group; and R.sup.1 represents an alkyl group, an unsubstituted or substituted benzyl group, a phenethyl group, a phenoxymethyl group, a 2-thienylmethyl group, an alkoxymethyl group or an alkylthiomethyl group, or a salt of said cyclohexane compound.This cyclohexane compound exhibits useful plant-growth regulating effects on crop-plants and also non-crop plants such as lawn and may be prepared by cyclization of an acetonylsuccinic acid dialkyl ester, followed by reaction with an organic acid chloride and by intermolecular rearrangement.

Abstract: As new compound is provided a cyclohexane derivative of the formula ##STR1## wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, an alkylthioalkyl group or an unsubstituted or substituted phenyl group; and R.sup.1 represents an alkyl group, an unsubstituted or substituted benzyl group, a phenethyl group, a phenoxymethyl group, a 2-thienylmethyl group, an alkoxymethyl group or an alkylthiomethyl group, or a salt of said cyclohexane compound.This cyclohexane compound exhibits useful plant-growth regulating effects on crop-plants and also non-crop plants such as lawn and may be prepared by cyclization of an acetonylsuccinic acid dialkyl ester, followed by reaction with an organic acid chloride and by intermolecular rearrangement.

Abstract: As new compound is provided a cyclohexane derivative of the formula ##STR1## wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, an alkylthioalkyl group or an unsubstituted or substituted phenyl group; and R.sup.1 represents an alkyl group, an unsubstituted or substituted benzyl group, a phenethyl group, a phenoxymethyl group, a 2-thienylmethyl group, an alkoxymethyl group or an alkylthiomethyl group, or a salt of said cyclohexane compound.This cyclohexane compound exhibits useful plant-growth regulating effects on crop-plants and also non-crop plants such as lawn and may be prepared by cyclization of an acetonylsuccinic acid dialkyl ester, followed by reaction with an organic acid chloride and by intermolecular rearrangement.