Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of compounds of the formula I ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 denotes (substituted) aryl or (substituted) cyclohexyl and R.sup.2 =alkyl, in which a compound of the formula R.sup.1 --NH.sub.2 is reacted with at least twice the molar amount of glyoxylic acid in the presence of water and the resulting acid is then esterified.

Abstract: The invention relates to imidazole-5-carboxylic acid derivatives in which the imidazole ring is substituted in the 1-position by a 2,6-dialkylphenyl radical and which have the formula ##STR1## in which X=O, S or N.The compounds are obtained from appropriately substituted bisformyl esters, either by reacting the latter with formamide or with ammonium acetate or by subjecting aminomethylene compounds prepared from the bisformyl esters to an intramolecular condensation reaction.The new substances can be used as biocides, in particular herbicides, fungicides and growth regulators.

Abstract: The compounds of the formula I, or salts thereof, ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, independently of one another, denote (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)-alkyl,R.sup.3 denotes halogen, in particular Cl or Br,R.sup.4 denotes hydrogen, Cl, Br or methyl,X denotes O, S or N-R.sup.5, andR.sup.5 denotes hydrogen, (C.sub.2 -C.sub.6)-alkenyl or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)-alkyl, where the alkyl group may be up to disubstituted by (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)-alkoxy or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3)-dialkylamino, or up to hexasubstituted by halogen,have an excellent plant growth-regulating action in important crops.

Abstract: The new compounds of the formula I ##STR1## in which R denotes substituted phenyl,X denotes a radical of the formula --SH, ##STR2## or hydrogen, Y denotes a radical of the formula ##STR3## and the bisulfite adducts, acetals, ketals, thioacetals or thioketals derived from ##STR4## Z denotes O, S or N--R.sup.6 ; m denotes 0, 1 or 2; n denotes 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 and p denotes 2 or 3,and the salts and quaternization products which are acceptable for agricultural purposes have advantageous plant growth-regulating actions. Processes for the preparation thereof are also described.

Abstract: The salts of 1-phenylimidazole-5-carboxylic acids substituted in the phenyl ring, of the general formula (I) ##STR1## exhibit a good plant growth-regulating activity. In the general formula the symbols have the following meaning:Y is an ammonium ion substituted up to fourfold by (substituted) alkyl, (substituted) alkenyl, alkynyl, (substituted) cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, and (substituted) phenyl, wherein the charged N may be part of a heterocyclic radial (NH.sub.4.sup.+ is excepted); phosphonium ion substituted fourfold by alkyl, (substituted) phenyl or (substituted) benzyl; sulfonium- or sulfoxonium ion substituted threefold by alkyl, (substituted) phenyl or (substituted) benzyl; the guanidinium ion or an O-alkylisourea cation;R.sup.1, R.sup.2 independently of each other are alkyl;R.sup.3 is alkyl, alkoxy or halogen; andn is 0, 1, 2 or 3.

Abstract: The compounds of the formula I ##STR1## wherein R denotes (substituted) phenyl, (substituted) cyclohexyl or (substituted) cyclohexenyl,X denotes a radical of the formulae ##STR2## Y denotes a radical of the formulae ##STR3## and the bisulfite adducts, acetals, ketals, thioacetals or thioketals derived from ##STR4## Z denotes O, S or N--R.sup.8, m denotes 0, 1 or 2, n denotes 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 and p denotes 2 or 3,and their salts and quaternization products which are acceptable for agricultural purposes possess advantageous plant growth-regulating actions.

Abstract: The compounds of the formula (I) ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 denotes (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3)alkyl and R.sup.2 denotes H, methyl or halogen, and salts thereof have excellent actions as plant growth regulators, in particular in rice crops.

Abstract: The new compounds of the formula I or salts thereof ##STR1## in which R denotes a (substituted) cyclohexyl radical or a (substituted) cyclohexenyl radical; and Y denotes cyano, a (substituted) (di)(thio)carboxylic acid (ester), carboxamide or acetal radical, a keto or oxime radical or a heterocyclic radical, possess an advantageous action as plant growth-regulators and, in addition, have favorable herbicidal and fungicidal properties.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## in which A denotes C-R.sup.4 or N; X denotes alkyl and Y denotes alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, phenyl or benzoyl, or, together with X, cycloalkyl; R.sup.1 -R.sup.4 denote H, alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxycarbonyl, halogen, NO.sub.2, CN, phenoxy or (substituted) phenyl; R.sup.5 denotes H or alkyl; and R.sup.6 denotes H, (substituted) alkyl, halogenoalkenyl, cycloalk(en)yl, alkynyl, (substituted) phenyl or carboxylic acid ester, carboxylic acid amide, sulfo-ester or acyl radicals, are effective plant treatment agents, in particular herbicides.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein A denotes N or CR.sup.4, B denotes a carboxyl, carbo-(thio) ester, (substituted) carboxamide or carboxanilide, carbohydroxy(alkoxy)-amide, (substituted) carbohydrazide or (substituted) oxazoline group, X and Y denote, inter alia, alkyl or, together, spiroalkyl, Z denotes a carbo-(di)(thio) ester, carboxyl, (substituted) (thio)-carboxamide or -carboxanilide group or the radical of a ketone-acid or of a ketone-ester and R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 denote H or are identical or different and denote halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxycarbonyl, halogenoalkyl, NO.sub.2, CN, (substituted) phenyl or phenoxy, or two of these radicals can form a --CH.dbd.CH--CH.dbd.CH-- group, are useful total or selective herbicides for application by the pre-emergence and, in some cases, the post-emergence method.

Abstract: Imidazolinones of the formula ##STR1## in which A denotes N or C--R.sup.4 ; B denotes halogenoalkyl, alkoxymethyl, cyanomethyl or thiocyanatomethyl; X denotes alkyl; and Y denotes alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, phenyl or benzyl; or X and Y, together with C, denote a spiro-cycloalkyl group; Z denotes H, (substituted) alkyl, alkenyl, propargyl or an alkyl, carboxylic acid ester or sulfonic acid ester group; and R.sup.1 -R.sup.4 denote H, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxycarbonyl, halogenoalkyl, NO.sub.2, CN, (substituted) phenoxy or (substituted) phenyl, or in each case two adjacent radicals together denote the radical --CH.dbd.CH--CH--CH--, are active herbicides and growth regulators.