Amidine rice herbicides
This invention relates to compositions and methods for controlling the growth of weeds in rice. 
     Because rice is one of the world&#39;s most important cereal grain crops, there has been a continuing search for improved herbicides for controlling the growth of weeds in rice crops. A useful rice herbicide should kill the unwanted weeds without causing undue injury to the rice plants and should give lasting weed control at low dosages. Since all the known rice herbicides fall short of perfection, it would be desirable to have new rice herbicides which have improved features or which will complement the known rice herbicides in activity. 
     It has now been found that weeds in rice are controlled by applying novel amidine compounds of the formula ##STR2## wherein R is a (C 4  -C 12 )alkyl group, and N IS 1 TO 3, PREFERABLY 1 OR 2. 
     The chlorine atoms can be arranged in any of the possible isomeric relationships around the phenyl ring. For example, 
     When n is one, the chlorine atom can be ortho, meta, or para to the amidine group, when n is two, the 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-, 3,4-, and 3,5-dichloro isomers are included, and when n is three, the 2,3,4-, 2,3,5-, 2,3,6-, 2,4,5-, 2,4,6-, and 3,4,5-trichloro isomers are comprehended. R can have either a straight- or branched-chain or cyclic spatial configuration. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, R is a (C 6  -C 10 )alkyl group. 
     Examples of the amidine compounds of the invention which are useful as selective rice herbicides include: 
     N-butyl-N&#39;-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)propionamidine, 
     N-pentyl-N&#39;-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)propionamidine, 
     N-hexyl-N&#39;-(3-chlorophenyl)propionamidine, 
     N-hexyl-N&#39;-(4-chlorophenyl)propionamidine, 
     N-hexyl-N&#39;-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)propionamidine, 
     N-hexyl-N&#39;-(3,4,5-trichlorophenyl)propionamidine, 
     N-heptyl-N&#39;-(2-chlorophenyl)propionamidine, 
     N-octyl-N&#39;-(2,3,4-trichlorophenyl)propionamidine, 
     N-octyl-N&#39;-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)propionamidine, 
     N-octyl-N&#39;-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)propionamidine, 
     N-octyl-N&#39;-(2-chlorophenyl)propionamidine, 
     N-octyl-N&#39;-(3-chlorophenyl)propionamidine, 
     N-octyl-N&#39;-(4-chlorophenyl)propionamidine, 
     N-nonyl-N&#39;-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)propionamidine, 
     N-nonyl-N&#39;-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)propionamidine, 
     N-decyl-N&#39;-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)propionamidine, 
     N-decyl-N&#39;-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)propionamidine, 
     N-decyl-N&#39;-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)propionamidine, 
     N-undecyl-N&#39;-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)propionamidine, 
     N-dodecyl-N&#39;-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)propionamidine, 
     and the like. 
     The amidines of the invention are useful as selective herbicides both in direct-seeded rice and in transplanted rice. When used in direct-seeded rice crops, the amidines are applied postemergence as to both the rice and the weeds -- that is, they are applied to the plants during early stages of growth while they are in a tender state and will selectively control the growth of the weed plants. When used in transplanted rice crops, the amidines can be applied either preemergence or postemergence as to the weeds -- that is, they can be applied to the transplanted rice plants and their growth medium either before the weed plants emerge or while the weed plants are in their early stages of growth. The amidines can be applied to the growth medium either before or after the rice has been transplanted to that medium. When used in paddy rice crops, the amidines are usually applied directly on the flooded rice field. 
     The amidines of the invention exhibit three unexpected advantageous properties. Firstly, the amidines of the invention show greater postemergence activity in a water environment than in dry-land applications. Secondly, the amidines of the invention have good preemergence activity in a water environment, but show very little or no preemergence activity in dry-land applications at reasonable application rates. Thirdly, the amidines of the invention are much more stable chemically and less subject to hydrolysis in a water environment than the related formamidines, thus suggesting greater activity and more residual control of weeds for the amidines of the invention. The possession of these properties by the amidines of the invention makes them particularly useful as selective rice herbicides. 
     The amidines of the invention can be applied to the growth medium or to the rice crop in any amount which will give the required control of weeds. Generally, the rate of application is from about one-half to about 20 pounds of the amidine per acre, and preferably from about 2 to about 8 pounds of the amidine per acre. 
     An amidine of the invention can be applied to the growth medium or to plants to be treated either by itself or, as is generally done, as a component in a herbicidal composition or formulation which also comprises an agronomically acceptable carrier. By agronomically acceptable carrier is meant any substance which can be used to dissolve, disperse, or diffuse a herbicidal compound in the composition without impairing the effectiveness of the herbicidal compound and which by itself has no detrimental effect on the soil, equipment, crops, or agronomic environment. Mixtures of the amidines of the invention may also be used in any of these herbicidal formulations. The herbicidal compositions of the invention can be either solid or liquid formulations or solutions. For example, the amidines can be formulated as wettable powders, emulsifiable concentrates, dusts, granular formulations, aerosols, or flowable emulsion concentrates. In such formulations, the compounds are extended with a liquid or solid carrier and, when desired, suitable surfactants are incorporated. 
     It is usually desirable, particularly in postemergence applications, to include adjuvants, such as wetting agents, spreading agents, dispersing agents, stickers, adhesives, and the like, in accordance with agricultural practices. Examples of adjuvants which are commonly used in the art can be found in the John W. McCutcheon, Inc. publication &#34;Detergents and Emulsifiers 1969 Annual.&#34; 
     The amidine compounds of this invention can be dissolved in any appropriate solvent. Examples of solvents which are useful in the practice of this invention include alcohols, ketones, aromatic hydrocarbons, dimethylformamide, dioxane, dimethyl sulfoxide, and the like. Mixtures of these solvents can also be used. The concentration of the solution can vary from about 2% to about 98% with a preferred range being about 25% to about 75%. 
     For the preparation of emulsifiable concentrates, the amidine can be dissolved in organic solvents, such as benzene, toluene, xylene, methylated naphthalene, corn oil, pine oil, o-dichlorobenzene, isophorone, cyclohexanone, methyl oleate, and the like, or in mixtures of these solvents, together with an emulsifying agent which permits dispersion in water. Suitable emulsifiers include, for example, the ethylene oxide derivatives of alkylphenols or long-chain alcohols, mercaptans, carboxylic acids, and reactive amines and partially esterified polyhydric alcohols. Solvent-soluble sulfates or sulfonates, such as the alkaline earth salts or amine salts of alkylbenzenesulfonates and the fatty alcohol sodium sulfates, having surface-active properties can be used as emulsifiers either alone or in conjunction with an ethylene oxide reaction product. Flowable emulsion concentrates are formulated similarly to the emulsifiable concentrates and include, in addition to the above components, water and a stabilizing agent such as a water-soluble cellulose derivative or a water-soluble salt of a polyacrylic acid. The concentration of the active ingredient in emulsifiable concentrates is usually about 10% to about 50% and in flowable emulsion concentrates, this can be as high as about 75%. 
     Wettable powders suitable for spraying can be prepared by admixing the amidine with a finely divided solid, such as clays, inorganic silicates and carbonates, and silicas and incorporating wetting agents, sticking agents, and/or dispersing agents in such mixtures. The concentration of active ingredients in such formulations is usually in the range of about 20% to 98%, preferably about 40% to 75%. A dispersing agent can constitute about 0.5% to about 3% of the composition, and a wetting agent can constitute from about 0.1% to about 5% of the composition. 
     Dusts can be prepared by mixing the amidines of the invention with finely divided inert solids which may be organic or inorganic in nature. Materials useful for this purpose include, for example, botanical flours, silicas, silicates, carbonates and clays. One convenient method of preparing a dust is to dilute a wettable powder with a finely divided carrier. Dust concentrates containing about 20% to 80% of the active ingredient are commonly made and are subsequently diluted to about 1% to 10% use concentration. 
     Granular formulations can be prepared by impregnating a solid such as granular fuller&#39;s earth, vermiculite, ground corn cobs, seed hulls, including bran or other grain hulls, or similar material. A solution of one or more of the amidines in a volatile organic solvent can be sprayed or mixed with the granular solid and the solvent then removed by evaporation. The granular material can have any suitable size, with a preferable size range of 16 to 60 mesh. The amidine will usually comprise about 2 to 15% of the granular formulation. 
     The amidines of the invention can also be mixed with fertilizers or fertilizing materials before their application. In one type of solid fertilizing composition in which the amidines can be used, particles of a fertilizer of fertilizing ingredients, such as ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, or ammonium phosphate, can be coated with one or more of the amidines. The solid amidines and solid fertilizing material can also be admixed in mixing or blending equipment, or they can be incorporated with fertilizers in granular formulations. Any relative proportion of amidine and fertilizer can be used which is suitable for the crops and weeds to be treated. The amidine will commonly be from about 5% to about 25% of the fertilizing composition. These compositions provide fertilizing materials which promote the rapid growth of desired plants, and at the same time control the growth of undesired plants. 
     The amidines of the invention can be applied as herbicidal sprays by methods commonly employed, such as conventional high-gallonage hydraulic sprays, low gallonage sprays, airblast spray, aerial sprays and dusts. For low volume applications a solution of the compound is usually used. The dilution and rate of application will usually depend upon such factors as the type of equipment employed, the method of application, the area to be treated and the type and stage of development of the weeds. 
     For some applications, it may be desirable to add one or more other herbicides along with amidines of the invention. For example, herbicides which are effective against broad-leaved weeds can be used to complement or improve the activity of the herbicidal composition against such weeds. Examples of other selective rice herbicides which can be incorporated to provide additional advantages and effectiveness include: 
     CARBOXYLIC ACIDS AND DERIVATIVES 
     2,3,6-trichlorobenzoic acid and its salts 
     2,3,5,6-tetrachlorobenzoic acid and its salts 
     2-methoxy-3,5,6-trichlorobenzoic acid and its salts 
     2-methoxy-3,6-dichlorobenzoic acid and its salts 
     2-methyl-3,6-dichlorobenzoic acid and its salts 
     2,3-dichloro-6-methylbenzoic acid and its salts 
     2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and its salts and esters 
     2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid and its salts and esters 
     2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid and its salts and esters 
     2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)propionic acid and its salts and esters 
     4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)butyric acid and its salts and esters 
     4-(2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy)butyric acid and its salts and esters 
     2,3,6-trichlorophenylacetic acid and its salts 
     3,6-endoxohexahydrophthalic acid 
     dimethyl 2,3,5,6-tetrachloroterephthalate 
     trichloroacetic acid and its salts 
     2,2-dichloropropionic acid and its salts 
     2,3-dichloroisobutyric acid and its salts 
     CARBAMIC ACID DERIVATIVES 
     ethyl N,N-di(n-propyl)thiolcarbamate 
     propyl N,N-di(n-propyl)thiolcarbamate 
     ethyl N-ethyl-N-(n-butyl)thiolcarbamate 
     propyl N-ethyl-N-(n-butyl)thiolcarbamate 
     2-chloroallyl N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate 
     N-methyldithiocarbamic acid salts 
     S-ethyl hexahydro-1H-azepine-1-carbothioate 
     isopropyl N-phenylcarbamate 
     isopropyl N-(m-chlorophenyl)carbamate 
     4-chloro-2-butynyl N-(m-chlorophenyl)carbamate 
     methyl N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)carbamate 
     PHENOLS 
     dinitro-o-(sec-butyl)phenol and its salts 
     pentachlorophenol and its salts 
     DIPHENYL ETHER DERIVATIVES 
     2,4-dichloro-4&#39;-nitrodiphenyl ether 
     2,4,6-trichloro-4&#39;-nitrodiphenyl ether 
     2,4-dichloro-6-fluoro-4&#39;-nitrodiphenyl ether 
     3-methyl-4&#39;-nitrodiphenyl ether 
     3,5-dimethyl-4&#39;-nitrodiphenyl ether 
     2,4&#39;-dinitro-4-trifluoromethyldiphenyl ether 
     OTHER ORGANIC HERBICIDES 
     N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)propionamide 
     When mixtures of herbicides are employed, the relative proportions which are used will depend upon the weeds to be treated and the degree of selectivity in weed control which is desired. 
     All of the amidines of the invention can be prepared from the corresponding aniline, by reacting the mono-, di-, or trichloro aniline with a trialkylorthopropionate, such as triethylorthopropionate, to form an imidate intermediate, and subsequently reacting the imidate with a primary alkyl amine to form the amidine. Various other known synthetic methods for preparing substituted amidines can also be employed. For example, an N-alkylpropionamide can be reacted with phosphorus pentachloride to form the chloroimine hydrochloride, which is subsequently reacted with a substituted aniline to form the amidine. 
    
    
     The following examples will further illustrate this invention but are not intended to limit it in any way. 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     Preparation of N-n-octyl-N&#39;-(3-chlorophenyl)propionamidine 
     Triethylorthopropionate (1 part) and m-chloroaniline (1 part) were charged to flask equipped with a condenser and drying tube (CaSO 4 ) and the mixture was refluxed for 20 hours. The flask was then fitted with a 10 cm Vigreaux column and the ethanol (1.8 part) was distilled off as formed (31/2 hrs.). The sample was then distilled at reduced pressure (0.15 mm Hg) and the fraction boiling at 63° -66° C. (0.9 part) was collected and identified as ethyl N-(3-chlorophenyl)propionimidate. 
     Ethyl N-(3-chlorophenyl)propionimidate (1 part), n-octyl-amine (1 part), and a catalytic amount of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate were charged to a flask fitted with a condenser and drying tube (CaSO 4 ) and the mixture was refluxed for 15 hours, after which the flask was fitted with a 10 cm Vigreaux column and the ethanol that had formed (0.8 part) distilled off slowly (3 hours). The reaction mixture was then distilled at reduced pressure (0.15 mm Hg) to give N-n-octyl-N&#39;-(3-chlorophenyl)propionamidine (0.7 part). The fraction boiling at 167.5° - 169° C. was collected and analyzed. 
     Anal. Calcd. for C 17  H 27  ClN 2  : C, 68.92; H, 9.32; Cl, 12.14; N, 9.59. Found: C, 69.05; H, 9.33; Cl, 12.10; N, 9.39. 
     EXAMPLES 2-9 
     Following the procedure of Example 1, the amidines listed in Table I were prepared, by reacting the appropriate substituted aniline with the appropriate n-alkylamine. 
     
                                           TABLE I                                 
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 ##STR3##                                                                 
                                             ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS           
EX.                                 BOILING POINT                         
                                             (Theoretical Value in        
                                             Brackets                     
NO.                                                                       
   Amidine           Ar     R       ° C/mm Hg                      
                                             C   H   N    Cl              
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2  N-n-butyl-N&#39;-(3,4-dichloro- phenyl)propionamidine                      
                      ##STR4##                                            
                            C.sub.4 H.sub.9 -n                            
                                      --     57.01 (57.2)                 
                                                 6.88 (6.65)              
                                                     10.16 (10.25)        
                                                          25.8 (26.0)     
3* N-n-octyl-N&#39;(3,4-dichloro- phenyl)propionamidine                       
                      ##STR5##                                            
                            C.sub.8 H.sub.17 -n                           
                                    199/1.0  47.32 (47.51)                
                                                 6.51 (6.33)              
                                                     6.45 (6.52)          
                                                          24.72 (24.75)   
4  N-n-dodecyl-N&#39;-(3,4-dichloro- phenyl)propionamidine                    
                      ##STR6##                                            
                            C.sub.12 H.sub.25 -n                          
                                    220-221/0.45                          
                                             --  --  --   --              
5  N-n-hexyl-N&#39;-(3,4-dichloro- phenyl)propionamidine                      
                      ##STR7##                                            
                            C.sub.6 H.sub.13 -n                           
                                    163-165/0.35                          
                                             59.82 (59.9)                 
                                                 7.41 (7.36)              
                                                     9.29 (9.31)          
                                                          23.19 (23.5)    
6* N-n-decyl-N&#39;-(3,4-dichloro- phenylpropionamidine                       
                      ##STR8##                                            
                            C.sub.10 H.sub.21 -n                          
                                    180-182/0.50                          
                                             49.77 (49.84)                
                                                 7.07 (6.83)              
                                                     5.86 (6.12)          
                                                          23.18 (23.23)   
7  N-n-nonyl-N&#39;-(3,4-dichloro- phenyl)propionamidine                      
                      ##STR9##                                            
                            C.sub.9 H.sub.19 -n                           
                                    184-184.5/0.75                        
                                             63.16 (62.96)                
                                                 8.19 (8.22)              
                                                     8.10 (8.16)          
                                                          20.83 (20.65)   
8  N-n-octyl-N&#39;-(3,4-dichloro- phenyl)propionamidine                      
                      ##STR10##                                           
                            C.sub.8 H.sub.17 -n                           
                                    165-175/0.20)                         
                                             --  --  --   --              
9  N-n-octyl-N&#39;-(4&#39;-chloro- phenyl)propionamidine                         
                      ##STR11##                                           
                            C.sub.8 H.sub.17 -n                           
                                    156-158/0.15                          
                                              68.66 (68.92)               
                                                 9.21 (9.32)              
                                                     9.50 (9.59)          
                                                          12.17 (12.14)   
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 *Elemental analysis of the perchlorate salt                              
 
    
     EXAMPLE 10 
     Preparation of N-n-octyl-N&#39;-(2-chlorophenyl)propionamidine 
     n-Octylpropionamide (1 part) was added rapidly to a slurry of phosphorus pentachloride (1.5 parts) in benzene (12 parts) in a flask fitted with an addition funnel, a condenser, and a drying tube (CaSO 4 ) at room temperature (slight exotherm). After stirring for 5 minutes the mixture was warmed to reflux (1 hr.), cooled by an ice bath, and o-chloroaniline (1 part) was added dropwise with cooling (10 min.) after which the reaction mixture was refluxed for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was then cooled (ice bath) and the phosphorus oxychloride formed was hydrolyzed by addition of water (85 parts) and adjustment of the pH to 8 with concentrated ammonium hydroxide. The upper organic layer was separated and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate to give, after removal of benzene in vacuo, a yellow oil (1 part). This oil was distilled at reduced pressure (0.15 mm Hg) ad the fraction boiling at 153.5° -154.5° C. collected. The product was found to be N-n-octyl-N&#39;-(2-chlorophenyl)propionamidine. 
     EXAMPLE 11 
      Evaluaton of Amidines as Selective Rice Herbicides 
     This example shows the selective postemergence herbicidal activity in rice (Oryza sativa) of the amidines of the invention. The amidines were used against the following weeds: 
     
         ______________________________________                                    
barnyardgrass    (Echinocloa crusgalli)                                   
sprangletop      (Leptochloa imbricata)                                   
coffeeweed       (Sesbania macrocarpa)                                    
umbrella sedge   (Cyperus difformis)                                      
redstem          (Ammania coccinea)                                       
groundcherry     (Physalis longifolia)                                    
canarygrass      (Phalaris canariensis)                                   
Dallisgrass      (Paspalus dilatatum)                                     
cattail          (Typha latifolia)                                        
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     The amidines of Examples 1 to 10 were evaluated. 
     PADDY TEST 
     Plants in three-inch deep pots which are 2 weeks (14 days) old and 1 week (7 days) old for postemergence applications and newly planted for preemergence applications were put into a 22-inch square metal pan which was then filled with water to 3 inches above the soil surface of the pots. A sufficient quantity of the test compound was dissolved in 100 ml. of 50% acetone to make the desired application rate in pounds per acre and poured over the water surface. Observations were made two weeks after applications. 
     Table II summarizes the results of these tests. 
     
         TABLE II
  WEED CONTROL AND RICE INJURY IN PADDY TEST (% KILL) Postemergence
 Preemergence 14 days old at treatment 7 days old at treatment Amidine
              Exam- rate barnyard-   barnyard-         barnyard- umbrella
 ple No. (lb/A) grass coffeweed rice grass redstem sprangletop groundcherr
 y coffeeweed canarygrass Dallisgrass cattail rice grass sedge coffeweed
   1 2 100 100 0 100 0 80 100 100 90 100 70 90 90 90 100  4 100 100 10
 100 0 90 100 100 100 100 50 90 100 100 100 2 2 30 20 0 30 0 0 0 20 0 0
 10 0 0 0 0  4 60 50 0 40 0 20 0 20 0 30 40 0 0 0 20 3  2* 75 100 0 100
 25 90 100 100 100 95 45 65 90 65 100   4* 100 100 25 100 60 100 100 100
 100 100 75 95 100 95 100 4 2 0 0 0 50 0 30 80 20 40 0 0 0 30 0 0  4 20
 70 0 60 0 30 80 60 30 0 0 0 50 0 30 5 2 80 70 0 80 0 40 50 50 90 70 50 0
 60 0 90  4 90 95 0 100 0 60 100 90 70 100 70 0 80 20 100 6 2 90 100 0
 100 70 100 100 100 --100 70 60 100 95 100  4 100 100 10 100 90 100 100
 100 -- 100 90 80 100 100 100 7 2 70 100 0 100 50 90 100 100 -- 100 50 20
 90 70 90  4 100 100 10 100 80 100 100 100 -- 100 70 60 100 95 100 8 2 90
 100 0 100 60 50 80 90 100 100 60 30 90 80 100  4 100 100 10 100 80 90
 100 100 100 100 40 90 100 90 100 9 2 90 100 0 100 0 80 100 100 100 90 70
 90 90 80 100  4 100 100 0 100 0 100 100 100 100 100 50 100 100 100 100
 10 2 80 100 0 100 0 50 90 100 90 100 0 50 80 70 100  4 100 100 10 100 0
 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
 *average of two tests
 
    
     The above tests and data indicate the selective postemergence herbicidal activity in rice of the amidines of the invention, as well as their usefulness as selective herbicides when applied preemergence as to weeds in transplanted rice. 
     In the above Examples 1-11, all parts are parts by weight, unless otherwise noted. 
     It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.