N-(2h-Difluoro-3,5-Dichloro-Phenyl)-N'-(2,6-Difluorobenzoyl) Urea Derivative and Pesticidal Compositions Containing Same

This invention is directed to novel urea derivatives of the general formula ##STR3## wherein ##STR4## X is oxygen or sulfur; Y is chlorine or fluorine; and

Z is hydrogen, chlorine, or fluorine.

The invention is also directed to the preparation of the compounds of Formula I, their use in controlling animal pests in plant protection, and pesticidal agents comprising the compounds of Formula I as active ingredients.

German Auslegeschrift No. 2,123,236 discloses benzylureas which are effective against animal pests. The compound of the formula ##STR5## described in said German Auslegeschrift is a commercial product (difluobenzurone). In comparison to this compound, the compounds according to the invention exhibit a distinctly superior effect, for example, against insects in the larval stage.

The compounds of Formula I can be prepared according to methods known per se:

An aniline of the formula

wherein Q is as described above is reacted with an isocyanate or isothiocyanate of the formula ##STR6## wherein X, Y, and Z are as described above.

An isocyanate or isothiocyanate of the formula

wherein Q and X are as described above, is reacted with a benzamide of the formula ##STR7## wherein Y and Z are as described above.

The reactions according to Method A or B are carried out at temperatures between ambient temperature and the boiling point of the reaction mixture. The reaction medium used is an inert solvent, for example, an aromatic hydrocarbon, such as toluene or xylene, or chlorobenzene, pyridine, or an ether such as dioxane or tetrahydrofuran, optionally in the presence of a tertiary organic base (triethylamine or pyridine).

The starting materials, if they have not been previously described, can be obtained by conventional methods. The aniline of Formula IV is obtained from the corresponding nitro compound by reduction of the nitro group with the reducing agents customary for this purpose. Reaction of the aniline of Formula IV with phosgene or thiophosgene results in the isocyanate or isothiocyanate of Formula VI.

Benzoyl isocyanates of Formula V can be obtained from the corresponding benzamides and oxalyl chloride, and benzoyl isothiocyanates of Formula V from the corresponding benzoyl chlorides and potassium thiocyanate.

A preferred embodiment of the invention directed to compounds that are particularly effective, comprises the compounds of Formula I wherein X, Y, and Z have the following relationships:

especially if, at the same time, Q is the radical of Formula III, that is, 2,4-difluoro-3,5-dichlorophenyl.

The novel compounds can be employed for control of insects and acarids. Accordingly, they are useful as active ingredients of insecticides and acaricides which can be employed against harmful insects and mites as well as against the developmental stages of such insects and mites, such as caterpillars and larvae. Not only harmful acarids but also, in particular, harmful insects from the groups of Diptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, Homoptera, and Hymenoptera can be controlled. Specific examples include the following: mosquitoes (Aedes), the Mexican bean beetle (Epilachna), the Colorado beetle (Leptinotarsa), the diamondback moth (Plutella), the armyworm (Prodenia), the spider mites (Tetranychus), the bulb scale mites (Tarsonemus), the palmerworm (Dichomeris), small butterflies (Pyroderces), Argyroplose ocellana, winter-moth, tortrix moths, Summer fruit tortrix moth (Adoxophyes reticulana), clothes moths, green oak tortrix moths, vine leaf roller, pinworm, corn borer, boll-weevil, pear saw-fly, and beet-leaf miner.

When the compounds according to the invention are to be used as pesticidal agents, that is, as active ingredients in pesticidal compositions, the compounds are processed with customary excipients and/or carriers to form conventional formulations, such as, for example, emulsion concentrates, wettable powders, or dusts. The compounds are used in the form of sprays and dusts with active ingredient, that is, active substance, concentrations of from about 0.0005 to 2% by weight, or in the form of ultra-low volume formulations also with higher concentrations of active substance (up to about 90% by weight). The dosage per hectare, which is dependent upon the active ingredient employed and upon the crop treated, amounts to from about 0.005 to 0.5 kg, preferably from about 0.01 to 0.25 kg, of active substance per carrier.

The components are processed to a wettable suspension powder (particle size<4.mu.) in conventional manner. For application, a spray mixture containing from about 0.0005 to 0.05% by weight of active ingredient, based on the weight of the total spray mixture, in water is prepared.

It is contemplated that any compound of Formula I, or even a combination thereof, could be used as active ingredient in compositions useful according to the invention, such as the wettable powder set forth above. It is also contemplated that the amount of active ingredient in such compositions may be varied to achieve the effective range set forth above. Moreover, the amount and nature of the inert carrier ingredients may be varied to meet particular requirements.

The superior effectiveness of the compounds according to the invention is demonstrated, for example, by comparison with the commercial product difluobenzurone, mentioned above. The comparison was carried out using the following pests:

(a) Larvae aedes aegyptii (4 days old)

(b) Caterpillars spodoptera littoralis L.sub.3

The following compounds of Formula I were used as active ingredients:

I: N-(2,4-Difluoro-3,5-dichlorophenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-6-fluorobenzoyl)-urea

II: N-(2,4-Difluoro-3,5-dichlorophenyl)-N'-(2-chlorobenzoyl)-thiourea

III: N-(2,3,4,5-Tetrachlorophenyl)-N'-(2,6-difluorobenzoyl)-urea

IV: N-(2,3,4,5-Tetrachlorophenyl)-N'-(2-chlorobenzoyl)-thiourea

V: N-(2,3,4,5-Tetrachlorophenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-6-fluorobenzoyl)-urea

The LD.sub.95, in ppm of active ingredient, for each compound was determined in greenhouse testing where the sprays were prepared from about 0.1 to 0.5% solutions of the active ingredients in acetone by dilution with appropriate quantities of water. The test results are set forth in the following table:

The following examples are intended to illustrate the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention thereto.

Two hundred fifty grams of anhydrous potassium fluoride (dried by calcination for several hours at 600.degree. C.) at about 200.degree. C. were introduced into a solution of 261 gm (1.0 mol) of 2,3,4,5-tetrachloronitrobenzene in 1000 ml of pure anhydrous dimethylformamide (dried with P.sub.2 O.sub.5 and subsequently with a molecular sieve). The resulting mixture was stirred thoroughly for 15 hours at 140.degree. C. It was then allowed to cool to 40.degree. C., and the undissolved matter was removed by suction filtration and rinsed with dimethylformamide. The solvent was distilled from the combined filtrates under reduced pressure, through a column. The distillation residue was dissolved in 1.5 liters of diisopropyl ether. The solution thus obtained was extracted by shaking with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, using a 250 ml amount each of three times. It was then dried with magnesium sulfate and concentrated by evaporation to leave a residue which was distilled under a water pump vacuum.

Yield: 142 gm (0.62 mol; 62% of theory),

B.p.: 119.degree.-122.degree. C./20 mbar.

One hundred forty grams (2.5 mols) of iron powder was introduced, with stirring, into a mixture of 114 gm (0.50 mol) of 2,4-difluoro-3,5-dichloro-nitrobenzene, 2 liters of water, and 10 ml of acetic acid at 95.degree. to 100.degree. C. The reaction mixture thus obtained was thoroughly stirred for eight hours at 95.degree. to 100.degree. C. Fifty milliliters of 40% sodium hydroxide solution were then added, and the mixture was steam-distilled. The difluoro-dichloroaniline produced passed over, that is, was distilled off, together with water. After completion of the distillation, the product was isolated from the heterogeneous distillate by extraction with ethylene chloride. The solvent was distilled from the organic phase and the product which remained was distilled in a water pump vacuum.

Yield: 91.5 gm (0.46 mol; 92% of theory),

B.p.: 118.degree.-121.degree. C./20 mbar.

Hydrogen chloride was passed into a well-stirred solution of 39.6 gm (0.20 mol) of 2,4-difluoro-3,5-dichloroaniline in 400 ml of toluene until a precipitate no longer separated out. The heterogeneous mixture thus obtained was cooled to 5.degree. to 10.degree. C. At this temperature, 40 gm (0.4 mol) of phosgene were passed in, with stirring. The mixture was then heated slowly, with stirring, so that after about two hours a temperature of 100.degree. to 105.degree. C. was reached. Stirring was then continued for seven hours at this temperature. During this time, a clear solution was formed, and hydrogen chloride was liberated. Nitrogen was then passed into the mixture for one hour at the same temperature to drive off the excess phosgene. Thereafter the solvent was distilled off, in vacuo at the end. The crude product which remained was distilled in a water pump vacuum.

Yield: 35.4 gm (0.158 mol; 79% of theory),

B.p.: 100.degree.-104.degree. C./20 mbar.

Twenty-eight grams (0.22 mol) of oxalyl chloride were added dropwise to a solution of 31.4 gm (0.20 mol) of 2,6-difluorobenzamide in 250 ml of toluene. The solution thus obtained was boiled under reflux for five hours, during which time hydrogen chloride and carbon monoxide were liberated. The solvent was then distilled off, in vacuo at the end. The product which remained was distilled in an oil pump vacuum.

Yield: 28.5 gm (0.156 mol; 77% of theory),

B.p.: 54.degree.-56.degree. C./0.7 mbar.

By use of procedures analogous to that described above, the following compounds were obtained:

2,6-Dichlorobenzoyl isocyanate (boiling point: 75.degree.-78.degree. C./0.13 mbar).

2-Chloro-6-fluorobenzoyl isocyanate (boiling point: 75.degree.-78.degree. C./0.13 mbar).

2-Chlorobenzoyl isocyanate (boiling point: 73.degree.-77.degree. C./0.13 mbar).

Thirty-five grams (0.36 mol) of finely powdered, anhydrous potassium thiocyanate (obtained by drying for several hours at 110.degree. C. and then grinding) were introduced into a solution of 52.5 gm (0.30 mol) of o-chlorobenzoyl chloride in 100 ml of anhydrous toluene. The mixture thus obtained was boiled under reflux for six hours. It was then allowed to cool, insoluble matter was removed by suction filtration, and the filtrate was concentrated to obtain a residue, which is distilled in a water pump vacuum.

Yield: 52 gm (0.26 mol; 87% of theory),

B.p.: 149.degree.-152.degree. C./21 mbar.

A mixture of 9.0 gm (0.040 mol) of 2,4-difluoro-3,5-dichlorophenyl isocyanate, 6.5 gm (0.042 mol) of 2-chlorobenzamide, and 100 ml of xylene was boiled for five hours under reflux. It was then allowed to cool, and the product which precipitated was removed by suction filtration and dried.

Yield: 14.3 gm (0.0377 mol; 94% of theory),

M.p.: 225.degree.-229.degree. C.

Three grams (0.016 mol) of 2,6-difluoro-benzoyl isocyanate were added to a solution of 2.95 gm (0.015 mol) of 2,4-difluoro-3,5-dichloroaniline in 50 ml of toluene. The solution thus obtained was stirred for 15 hours at room temperature. Thereafter, the product which precipitated during that time was removed by suction filtration and dried.

Yield: 4.2 gm (0.011 mol; 73% of theory),

M.p.: 221.degree.-224.degree. C.

By use of procedures analogous to that above, the following compounds were prepared:

N-(2,4-Difluoro-3,5-dichlorophenyl)-N'-(2,6-dichlorobenzoyl)-urea (melting point: 238.degree.-242.degree. C.).

N-(2,4-Difluoro-3,5-dichlorophenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-6-fluorobenzoyl)-urea (melting point: 214.degree.-218.degree. C.).

N-(2,4-Difluoro-3,5-dichlorophenyl)-N'-(2-chlorobenzoyl)-urea (melting point: 228.degree.-232.degree. C.).

N-(2,4-Difluoro-3,5-dichlorophenyl)-N'-(2-chlorobenzoyl)-thioruea (melting point: 150.degree.-152.degree. C.).

An amount of 3.9 gm (0.020 mol) of 2,6-difluorobenzoyl isocyanate was added to a solution of 4 gm (0.017 mol) of vic-tetrachloroaniline in 60 ml of toluene. The resulting solution was stirred for one hour at room temperature. Thereafter, the product which precipitated during that time was removed by suction filtration, washed with toluene, and dried.

Yield: 7 gm (0.017 mol), virtually quantitative,

M.p.: 255.degree.-257.degree. C.

A small proportion of the product was recrystallized from a large amount of acetone.

M.p.: 257.degree.-259.degree. C.

Using procedures analogous to that of Example 15, the following compounds were prepared:

N-(2,3,4,5-Tetrachlorophenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-6-fluorobenzoyl)-urea (melting point: >250.degree. C.).

N-(2,3,4,5-Tetrachlorophenyl)-N'-(2-chlorobenzoyl)-thio-urea (melting point: 186.degree.-187.degree. C.).

N-(2,3,4,5-Tetrachlorophenyl)-N'-(2-chlorobenzoyl)-urea (melting point: 247.degree.-248.degree. C.).

N-(2,3,4,5-Tetrachlorophenyl)-N'-(2,6-difluorobenzoyl)-thiourea.

N-(2,3,4,5-Tetrachlorophenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-6-fluorobenzoyl)-thiourea.

N-(2,3,4,5-Tetrachlorophenyl)-N'-(2-fluorobenzoyl)-urea.

N-(2,3,4,5-Tetrachlorophenyl)-N'-(2-fluorobenzoyl)-thio-urea.

N-(2,3,4,5-Tetrachlorophenyl)-N'-(2,6-dichlorobenzoyl)-urea (melting point: >260.degree. C.).

N-(2,3,4,5-Tetrachlorophenyl)-N'-(2,6-dichlorobenzoyl)-thiourea.

The preceding specific embodiments are illustrative of the practice of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that other expedients known to those skilled in the art or disclosed herein, may be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.