Fungicidal imidazole oxime derivatives
This invention relates to certain imidazole oxime derivatives, a process for their preparation, compositions containing such compounds and their use as fungicides. 
     According to the present invention there is provided a compound of the general formula ##STR2## or an acid-addition salt or metal salt complex thereof, in which R represents an optionally substituted phenyl group; R 1  represents an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or aralkyl group; and R 2  represents an optionally substituted alkyl group. 
     When the compounds of this invention contain an alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl substituent group, this may be linear or branched and may contain up to 12, preferably up to 6, carbon atoms. 
     When any of the foregoing substituents are designated as being optionally substituted, the substituent groups which are optionally present may be any one or more of those customarily employed in the development of pesticidal compounds, and/or the modification of such compounds to influence their structure/activity, persistence, penetration or other property. Specific examples of such substituents include, for example, halogen atoms, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, formyl, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyl, alkanoyl, alkylthio, alkylsulphinyl, alkylsulphonyl, carbamoyl and alkylamido groups. When any of the foregoing substituents represents or contains an alkyl substituent group, this may be linear or branched and may contain up to 12, preferably up to 6, and especially up to 4, carbon atoms. 
     It is preferred that R is a phenyl group, substituted by 1 to 3 halogen, especially chlorine, atoms. 
     Preferably, R 1  represents a C 1-12  alkyl, particularly a C 1-6  alkyl, group, a C 2-12  alkenyl, particularly a C 2-6  alkenyl and especially a C 2-4  alkenyl, group, a C 2-12  alkynyl, particularly a C 2-6  alkynyl and especially a C 2-4  alkynyl, group, or a benzyl group, each group being optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halogen atoms, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, C 1-4  haloalkyl, C 1-4  alkoxy, C 1-4  haloalkoxy, amino, C 1-4  alkylamino, di-C 1-4  alkylamino, formyl, C 1-4  alkoxycarbonyl and carboxyl groups. 
     It is also preferred that R 2  represents a C 1-12  alkyl, particularly a C 1-6  alkyl, group. 
     A particularly preferred sub-group of compounds of formula I is that in which R represents a fluorophenyl, chlorophenyl, bromophenyl or dichlorophenyl group; R 1  represents a methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, allyl, propynyl, benzyl, chlorobenzyl, dichlorobenzyl, nitrobenzyl or trifluoromethylbenzyl group; and R 2  represents a methyl group. 
     It should also be appreciated that the compounds of formula I are capable of existing as different geometric isomers. The invention thus includes both the individual isomers and mixtures of such isomers. 
     The present invention also provides a process for the preparation of a compound of formula I as defined above or an acid-addition salt or metal salt complex thereof which comprises reacting a compound of the general formula ##STR3## or an acid-addition salt or metal salt complex thereof, in which R and R 2  are as defined above, with a compound of the general formula ##STR4## in which R 1  is as defined above, or with an acid-addition salt thereof, and, if desired, reacting the compound of formula I so obtained with a suitable acid or metal salt to form an acid-addition salt or metal salt complex thereof. 
     If a compound of general formula III is used, it is preferred that this is generated in situ. If an acid-addition salt of the compound of general formula III is used, the process is suitably carried out in the presence of a base, such as sodium acetate. 
     The process of the invention is conveniently carried out in the presence of a solvent. Suitable solvents include dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulphoxide, ethers, such as tetrahydrofuran, aromatic compounds and alcohols, particularly ethanol. The reaction is suitably carried out at a temperature of 0° C. to 100° C., the preferred reaction temperature being l5° C. to 80° C. 
     Compounds of formula II and acid-addition salts or metal salt complexes thereof form the subject of our copending application (T55l). They can be prepared by reacting a compound of the general formula ##STR5## in which R is as defined above and R 4 , R 5  and R 6 , which may be the same or different, represent an alkyl, cycloalkyl, phenyl or benzyl group, with a compound of the general formula ##STR6## in which R 2  is as defined above, in the presence of a base, and, if desired, reacting the compound of formula II so obtained with a suitable acid or metal salt to form an acid-addition salt or metal salt complex thereof. A particularly preferred compound of formula IV is that in which R 4 , R 5  and R 6  all represent an ethyl group. 
     Compounds of formula IV may be prepared according to the method described by D. Burkhouse and H. Zimmer in Synthesis, 1984, 330. Compounds of formula V may be prepared by the method described by R. G. Jones and K. C. McLaughlin in J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 1949, 71, 244. 
     Compounds of formula III are known compounds or can be prepared by processes analogous to known processes. 
     The compounds of general formula I have been found to have fungicidal activity. Accordingly, the invention further provides a fungicidal composition which comprises a carrier and, as active ingredient, a compound of formula I or an acid-addition salt or metal salt complex thereof as defined above. A method of making such a composition is also provided which comprises bringing a compound of formula I as defined above, or an acid-addition salt or metal salt complex thereof, into association with at least one carrier. Such a composition may contain a single compound or a mixture of several compounds of the present invention. It is also envisaged that different isomers or mixtures of isomers may have different levels or spectra of activity and thus compositions may comprise individual isomers or mixtures of isomers. 
     A composition according to the invention preferably contains from 0.5 to 95% by weight of active ingredient. 
     A carrier in a composition according to the invention is any material with which the active ingredient is formulated to facilitate application to the locus to be treated, which may for example be a plant, seed or soil, or to facilitate storage, transport or handling. A carrier may be a solid or a liquid, including a material which is normally gaseous but which has been compressed to form a liquid, and any of the carriers normally used in formulating fungicidal compositions may be used. 
     Suitable solid carriers include natural and synthetic clays and silicates, for example natural silicas such as diatomaceous earths; magnesium silicates, for example talcs; magnesium aluminium silicates, for example attapulgites and vermiculites; aluminium silicates, for example kaolinites, montmorillonites and micas; calcium carbonate; calcium sulphate; ammonium sulphate; synthetic hydrated silicon oxides and synthetic calcium or aluminium silicates; elements, for example carbon and sulphur; natural and synthetic resins, for example coumarone resins, polyvinyl chloride, and styrene polymers and copolymers; solid polychlorophenols; bitumen; waxes, for example beeswax, paraffin wax, and chlorinated mineral waxes; and solid fertilisers, for example superphosphates. 
     Suitable liquid carriers include water; alcohols, for example isopropanol and glycols; ketones, for example acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone and cyclohexanone; ethers; aromatic or araliphatic hydrocarbons, for example benzene, toluene and xylene; petroleum fractions, for example, kerosine and light mineral oils; chlorinated hydrocarbons, for example carbon tetrachloride, perchloroethylene and trichloroethane. Mixtures of different liquids are often suitable. 
     Fungicidal compositions are often formulated and transported in a concentrated form which is subsequently diluted by the user before application. The presence of small amounts of a carrier which is a surface-active agent facilitates this process of dilution. Thus preferably at least one carrier in a composition according to the invention is a surface-active agent. For example the composition may contain at least two carriers, at least one of which is a surface-active agent. 
     A surface-active agent may be an emulsifying agent, a dispersing agent or a wetting agent; it may be nonionic or ionic. Examples of suitable surface-active agents include the sodium or calcium salts of polyacrylic acids and lignin sulphonic acids; the condensation products of fatty acids or aliphatic amines or amides containing at least 12 carbon atoms in the molecule with ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide; fatty acid esters of glycerol, sorbitol, sucrose or pentaerythritol; condensates of these with ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide; condensation products of fatty alcohol or alkyl phenols, for example p-octylphenol or p-octylcresol, with ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide; sulphates or sulphonates of these condensation products; alkali or alkaline earth metal salts, preferably sodium salts, or sulphuric or sulphonic acid esters containing at least 10 carbon atoms in the molecule, for example sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium secondary alkyl sulphates, sodium salts or sulphonated castor oil, and sodium alkylaryl sulphonates such as dodecylbenzene sulphonate; and polymers of ethylene oxide and copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. 
     The compositions of the invention may for example be formulated as wettable powders, dusts, granules, solutions, emulsifiable concentrates, emulsions, suspension concentrates and aerosols. Wettable powders usually contain 25, 50 or 75% w of active ingredient and usually contain in addition to solid inert carrier, 3-10% w of a dispersing agent and, where necessary, 0-10% w of stabiliser(s) and/or other additives such as penetrants or stickers. Dusts are usually formulated as a dust concentrate having a similar composition to that of a wettable powder but without a dispersant, and may be diluted in the field with further solid carrier to give a composition usually containing 1/2-10% w of active ingredient. Granules are usually prepared to have a size between 10 and 100 BS mesh (1.676-0.152 mm), and may be manufactured by agglomeration or impregnation techniques. Generally, granules will contain 1/2-75% w active ingredient and 0-10% w of additives such as stabilisers, surfactants, slow release modifiers and binding agents. The so-called &#34;dry flowable powders&#34; consist of relatively small granules having a relatively high concentration of active ingredient. Emulsifiable concentrates usually contain, in addition to a solvent and, when necessary, co-solvent, 1-50% w/v active ingredient, 2-20% w/v emulsifiers and 0-20% w/v of other additives such as stabilisers, penetrants and corrosion inhibitors. Suspension concentrates are usually compounded so as to obtain a stable, non-sedimenting flowable product and usually contain 10-75% w active ingredient, 0.5-15% w of dispersing agents, 0.1-10% w of suspending agents such as protective colloids and thixotropic agents, 0-10% w of other additives such as defoamers, corrosion inhibitors, stabilisers, penetrants and stickers, and water or an organic liquid in which the active ingredient is substantially insoluble; certain organic solids or inorganic salts may be present dissolved in the formulation to assist in preventing sedimentation or as anti-freeze agents for water. 
     Aqueous dispersions and emulsions, for example compositions obtained by diluting a wettable powder or a concentrate according to the invention with water, also lie within the scope of the invention. The said emulsions may be of the water-in-oil or of the oil-in-water type, and may have a thick `mayonnaise` like consistency. 
     The composition of the invention may also contain other ingredients, for example other compounds possessing herbicidal, insecticidal or fungicidal properties. 
     Of particular interest in enhancing the duration of the protective activity of the compounds of this invention is the use of a carrier which will provide a slow release of the fungicidal compounds into the environment of the plant which is to be protected. Such slow-release formulations could, for example, be inserted in the soil adjacent to the roots of a vine plant, or could include an adhesive component enabling them to be applied directly to the stem of a vine plant. 
     The invention still further provides the use as a fungicide of a compound of the general formula I as defined above or an acid-addition salt or metal salt complex thereof or a composition as defined above, and a method for combating fungus at a locus, which comprises treating the locus, which may be for example plants subject to or subjected to fungal attack, seeds of such plants or the medium in which such plants are growing or are to be grown, with such a compound or composition. 
     The present invention is of wide applicability in the protection of crop plants against fungal attack. Typical crops which may be protected include vines, grain crops such as wheat and barley, rice and tomatoes. The duration of protection is normally dependent on the individual compound selected, and also a variety of external factors, such as climate, whose impact is normally mitigated by the use of a suitable formulation. 
    
    
     The invention is further illustrated by the following Examples. 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     (i) Preparation of 2,4-dichlorophenyl 1-methyl-5-imidazolylmethyl ketone 
     Butyl lithium (2.2 M, 21 ml) in hexane was added dropwise to a solution of diethyl (2,4-dichlorophenyl) (ethoxy)methyl phosphonate (7.3° C. 45 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (200 ml) at -78° C., under an atmosphere of nitrogen. The resulting deep red solution was stirred for 10 minutes and then treated with N-methyl 5-imidazolecarboxaldehyde (3.75 g, 34 mmol) dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (150 ml). After a further hour at -78° C., the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature whereupon it was treated with water and then acidified with concentrated hydrochloric acid (24 ml) and refluxed for 24 hours. After cooling, the tetrahydrofuran was evaporated and the aqueous residue was made basic with sodium carbonate and then extracted with ethyl acetate (2×300 ml). The combined organic extract was washed with saturated sodium chloride solution, dried and concentrated. The residue was then chromatographed on silica using 9:1 chloroform: methanol as eluant to give 2,4-dichlorophenyl 1-methyl-5-imidazolylmethyl ketone (8.01 g) as a white solid. 
     (ii) Preparation of 2,4-dichlorophenyl 1-methyl-5-imidazolylmethyl ketone 0-4-chlorobenzyloxime (R=2,4-dichlorophenyl; R 1  =4-chlorobenzyl; R 2  =methyl) 
     A mixture of the 2,4-dichlorophenyl 1-methyl-5-imidazolylmethyl ketone (0.82g, 3 mmol) obtained in (i), sodium acetate (l.2g, 15 mmol) and 0-4-chlorobenzylhydroxylamine hydrochloride (2.9 lg, 15 mmol) was refluxed in ethanol (50 ml) for 20 hours. After cooling, water was added to the reaction mixture and the ethanol was evaporated off under reduced pressure. The aqueous residue was made basic with sodium carbonate and then extracted with ethyl acetate (2×200 ml). The combined organic extract was then washed with saturated sodium chloride solution, dried and concentrated. Chromatography of the residue on silica using 9:1 diethyl ether: methanol as eluant gave, as compound A, the E-isomer (0.53g) and, as compound B, the Z-isomer (0.33g) of 2,4-dichlorophenyl 1-methyl-5-imidazolylmethyl ketone 0-4-chlorobenzyloxime as oils. 
     
         ______________________________________                                    
 Analysis                                                                 
______________________________________                                    
E-isomer  Calc:   C: 56.0;   H: 3.9;                                      
                                   N: 10.3%                               
          Found:  C: 54.6;   H: 4.2;                                      
                                   N: 10.3%                               
Z-isomer  Calc:   C: 56.0;   H: 3.9;                                      
                                   N: 10.3%                               
          Found:  C: 54.6;   H: 4.2;                                      
                                   N: 10.3%                               
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     EXAMPLES 2 TO 26 
     By processes similar to those described in Example 1 above, further compounds according to the invention were prepared as detailed in Table I below. In this table, the compounds are identified by reference to formula I. 
     
                                           TABLE I                                 
__________________________________________________________________________
Example                                                                   
No.  Isomer                                                               
          R          R.sup.1    R.sup.2                                   
__________________________________________________________________________
 2   E    4-fluorophenyl                                                  
                     --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                  
                                --CH.sub.3                                
 3   E/Z  4-fluorophenyl                                                  
                     benzyl     --CH.sub.3                                
 4   E/Z  4-chlorophenyl                                                  
                     --CH.sub.3 --CH.sub.3                                
 5   E/Z  4-chlorophenyl                                                  
                     --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                  
                                --CH.sub.3                                
 6   E/Z  4-chlorophenyl                                                  
                     --CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                 
                                --CH.sub.3                                
 7   E/Z  4-chlorophenyl                                                  
                     --CH(CH.sub.3)(C.sub.2 H.sub.5)                      
                                --CH.sub.3                                
 8   E/Z  4-chlorophenyl                                                  
                     --(CH.sub.2).sub.4 CH.sub.3                          
                                --CH.sub.3                                
 9   E/Z  4-chlorophenyl                                                  
                     --CH.sub.2 CH═CH.sub.2                           
                                --CH.sub.3                                
10   E/Z  4-chlorophenyl                                                  
                     --CH.sub.2 C.tbd.CH                                  
                                --CH.sub.3                                
11A  E    4-chlorophenyl                                                  
                     benzyl     --CH.sub.3                                
11B  Z    4-chlorophenyl                                                  
                     benzyl     --CH.sub.3                                
12   E/Z  4-chlorophenyl                                                  
                     4-(trifluoro-                                        
                                --CH.sub.3                                
                     methyl)benzyl                                        
13   E/Z  4-chlorophenyl                                                  
                     2,4-dichlorobenzyl                                   
                                --CH.sub.3                                
14A  E    4-bromophenyl                                                   
                     --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                  
                                --CH.sub.3                                
14B  Z    4-bromophenyl                                                   
                     --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                  
                                --CH.sub.3                                
15A  E    4-bromophenyl                                                   
                     benzyl     --CH.sub.3                                
15B  Z    4-bromophenyl                                                   
                     benzyl     --CH.sub. 3                               
16A  E    4-bromophenyl                                                   
                     4-chlorobenzyl                                       
                                --CH.sub.3                                
16B  Z    4-bromophenyl                                                   
                     4-chlorobenzyl                                       
                                --CH.sub.3                                
17   E    2,4-dichlorophenyl                                              
                     --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                  
                                --CH.sub.3                                
18A  E    2,4-dichlorophenyl                                              
                     --CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                 
                                --CH.sub.3                                
18B  Z    2,4-dichlorophenyl                                              
                     --CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                 
                                --CH.sub.3                                
19A  E    2,4-dichlorophenyl                                              
                     --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 CH.sub.3                          
                                --CH.sub.3                                
19B  Z    2,4-dichlorophenyl                                              
                     --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 CH.sub.3                          
                                --CH.sub.3                                
20A  E    2,4-dichlorophenyl                                              
                     --CH(CH.sub.3)(C.sub.2 H.sub.5)                      
                                --CH.sub.3                                
20B  Z    2,4-dichlorophenyl                                              
                     --CH(CH.sub.3)(C.sub.2 H.sub.5)                      
                                --CH.sub.3                                
21A  E    2,4-dichlorophenyl                                              
                     --(CH.sub.2).sub.4 CH.sub.3                          
                                --CH.sub.3                                
21B  Z    2,4-dichlorophenyl                                              
                     --(CH.sub.2).sub.4 CH.sub.3                          
                                --CH.sub.3                                
22A  E    2,4-dichlorophenyl                                              
                     --CH(C.sub.2 H.sub.5).sub.2                          
                                --CH.sub.3                                
22B  Z    2,4-dichlorophenyl                                              
                     --CH(C.sub.2 H.sub.5).sub.2                          
                                --CH.sub.3                                
23A  E    2,4-dichlorophenyl                                              
                     --CH.sub.2 CH═CH.sub.2                           
                                --CH.sub.3                                
23B  Z    2,4-dichlorophenyl                                              
                     --CH.sub.2 CH═CH.sub.2                           
                                --CH.sub.3                                
24A  E    2,4-dichlorophenyl                                              
                     benzyl     --CH.sub.3                                
24B  Z    2,4-dichlorophenyl                                              
                     benzyl     --CH.sub.3                                
25A  E    2,4-dichlorophenyl                                              
                     4-nitrobenzyl                                        
                                --CH.sub.3                                
25B  Z    2,4-dichlorophenyl                                              
                     4-nitrobenzyl                                        
                                --CH.sub.3                                
26A  E    2,4-dichlorophenyl                                              
                     2,4-dichloro-                                        
                                --CH.sub.3                                
                     benzyl                                               
26B  Z    2,4-dichlorophenyl                                              
                     2,4-dichloro-                                        
                                --CH.sub.3                                
                     benzyl                                               
__________________________________________________________________________
 Melting point, high resolution mass spectroscopy and C,H,N analysis data 
 for the compounds of Examples 2 to 26 is given in Table IA below.        
 
    
     
                                           TABLE IA                                
__________________________________________________________________________
                      Analysis %                                          
Example                                                                   
       M. Pt.                                                             
           M+         C      H      N                                     
No.    °C.                                                         
           Calc. Found                                                    
                      Calc.                                               
                         Found                                            
                             Calc.                                        
                                Found                                     
                                    Calc.                                 
                                       Found                              
__________________________________________________________________________
 2         261.1277                                                       
                 261.1281                                                 
 3         323.1479                                                       
                 323.1432                                                 
 4                    59.3                                                
                         59.5                                             
                             5.3                                          
                                5.3 16.0                                  
                                       15.2                               
 5                    60.6                                                
                         60.4                                             
                             6.1                                          
                                5.8 15.2                                  
                                       15.2                               
 6                    61.9                                                
                         61.5                                             
                             6.2                                          
                                6.6 14.4                                  
                                       14.6                               
 7                    62.9                                                
                         62.4                                             
                             6.6                                          
                                6.3 13.8                                  
                                       14.3                               
 8                    63.9                                                
                         63.4                                             
                             6.9                                          
                                7.0 13.2                                  
                                       13.3                               
 9                    62.3                                                
                         62.9                                             
                             5.5                                          
                                6.0 14.5                                  
                                       15.0                               
10                    62.7                                                
                         62.7                                             
                             5.0                                          
                                5.0 14.6                                  
                                       14.8                               
11A                   67.3                                                
                         67.0                                             
                             5.3                                          
                                5.6 12.4                                  
                                       11.8                               
11B                   67.3                                                
                         67.0                                             
                             5.3                                          
                                5.6 12.4                                  
                                       11.8                               
12                    58.3                                                
                         58.2                                             
                             4.4                                          
                                4.5 10.3                                  
                                        9.6                               
13                    56.0                                                
                         56.2                                             
                             3.9                                          
                                4.6 10.3                                  
                                        9.8                               
14A    68             52.2                                                
                         51.0                                             
                             5.0                                          
                                5.0 13.0                                  
                                       12.8                               
14B                   52.2                                                
                         52.5                                             
                             5.0                                          
                                5.2 13.0                                  
                                       13.2                               
 15A                                                                      
            383.06789                                                     
                 383.0911                                                 
15B                                                                       
16A    64-65          54.5                                                
                         53.3                                             
                             4.1                                          
                                4.2 10.0                                  
                                        9.4                               
16B                   54.5                                                
                         53.3                                             
                             4.1                                          
                                4.2 10.0                                  
                                        9.4                               
17                    53.9                                                
                         54.2                                             
                             4.8                                          
                                5.0 13.5                                  
                                       13.7                               
 18A                                                                      
           325.0794                                                       
                 325.0750                                                 
18B                                                                       
 19A                                                                      
                      60.2                                                
                         59.9                                             
                             6.0                                          
                                6.4 12.4                                  
                                       11.6                               
19B                                                                       
 20A                                                                      
           339.0905                                                       
                 339.0915                                                 
20B                                                                       
 21A                                                                      
           353.1061                                                       
                 353.1087                                                 
21B                                                                       
22A                   57.8                                                
                         57.1                                             
                             5.9                                          
                                4.9 12.3                                  
                                       12.3                               
22B                   57.8                                                
                         57.1                                             
                             5.9                                          
                                4.9 12.3                                  
                                       12.3                               
 23A                                                                      
           323.0592                                                       
                 323.0577                                                 
23B                                                                       
 24A                                                                      
           373.0794                                                       
                 373.0748                                                 
24B                                                                       
25A                   56.7                                                
                         56.2                                             
                             4.0                                          
                                4.6 13.9                                  
                                       14.3                               
25B                   56.7                                                
                         56.2                                             
                             4.0                                          
                                4.6 13.9                                  
                                       14.3                               
26A                   51.7                                                
                         51.0                                             
                             3.4                                          
                                3.2  9.5                                  
                                       10.1                               
26B                   51.7                                                
                         51.0                                             
                             3.4                                          
                                3.2  9.5                                  
                                       10.1                               
__________________________________________________________________________
 
    
     EXAMPLE 27 
     The fungicidal activity of compounds of the invention was investigated by means of the following tests. 
     (a) Antisporulant activity against vine downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola; Pva) 
     The test s a direct antisporulant one using a foliar spray. The lower surfaces of leaves of whole vine plants (cv Cabernet Sauvignon) are inoculated by spraying with an aqueous suspension containing 10 4  zoosporangia/ml 2 days prior to treatment with the test compound The inoculated plants are kept for 24 hours in a high humidity compartment, then 24 hours at glasshouse ambient temperature and humidity. Infected leaves are sprayed on their lower surfaces with a solution of active material in 1:1 water/acetone containing 0.04% &#34;TWEEN 20&#34; (Trade Mark; a polyoxyethylene sorbitan ester surfactant) The spraying is carried out with a moving track sprayer giving an application rate of 1 kg/ha. After spraying, the plants are returned to normal glasshouse conditions for 96 hours and are then transferred to the high humidity compartment for 24 hours to induce sporulation, prior to assessment. Assessment is based on the percentage of the leaf area covered by sporulation compared with that on control leaves. ( 
     b) Direct protectant activity against vine downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola; Pvp) 
     The test is a direct protectant one using a foliar spray. The lower surfaces of leaves of whole vine plants (cv Cabernet Sauvignon) are sprayed with the test compound at a dosage of 1 kilogram of active material per hectare using a track sprayer as described under (a), and after a subsequent 24 hours under normal glasshouse conditions the lower surfaces of the leaves are inoculated by spraying with an aqueous solution containing 10 4  zoosporangia/ml. The inoculated plants are kept for 24 hours in a high humidity compartment, 5 days under normal glasshouse conditions and then returned for a further 24 hours to high humidity. Assessment is based on the percentage of leaf area covered by sporulation compared with that on control leaves. 
     (c) Direct protectant activity against vine grey mould (Botrytis cinerea; BcP) 
     The test is a direct protectant one using a foliar spray. The lower surfaces of detached vine leaves (cv Cabernet Sauvignon) are sprayed with the test compound at a dosage of 1 kg/ha using a track sprayer as in (a). 24 hours after spraying the leaves are inoculated with droplets of aqueous suspension containing 10 5  conidia/ml. After a further 5 days in high humidity the percentage of leaf area covered by disease is assessed. 
     (d) Activity against wheat leafspot (Leptosphaeria nodorum; Ln.) 
     The test is a direct therapeutic one, using a foliar spray. Leaves of wheat plants (cv Mardler), at the single leaf stage, are inoculated by spraying with an aqueous suspension containing 1×10 6  spores/ml. The inoculated plants are kept for 24 hours in a high humidity compartment prior to treatment. The plants are sprayed with a solution of the test compound at a dosage of 1 kilogram of active material per hectare using a track sprayer as described under (a). After drying, the plants are kept for 6-8 days at 20°-25° C. and moderate humidity, followed by assessment. Assessment is based on the density of lesions per leaf compared with that on leaves of control plants. 
     (e) Activity against barley powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis f.sp. hordei; Eg) 
     The test is a direct therapeutic one, using a foliar spray. Leaves of barley seedlings, (cv. Golden Promise) are inoculated by dusting with mildew conidia one day prior to treatment with the test compound. The inoculated plants are kept overnight at glasshouse ambient temperature and humidity prior to treatment. The plants are sprayed with the test compound at a dosage of 1 kilogram of active material per hectare using a track sprayer as described under (a). After drying, plants are returned to a compartment at 20°-25° C. and moderate humidity for up to 7 days, followed by assessment. Assessment is based on the percentage of leaf area covered by sporulation compared with that on leaves of control plants. 
     (f) Activity against wheat brown rust (Puccinia recondita; Pr) 
     The test is a direct protectant one using a foliar spray. Wheat seedlings (cv Brigand) are grown to the 1-11/2 leaf stage. The plants are then sprayed with the test compound at a dosage of 1 kg/ha using a track sprayer as described under (a). Test compounds are applied as solutions or suspensions in a mixture of acetone and water (50:50 v/v) containing 0.04% surfactant (&#34;TWEEN 20&#34;--Trade Mark). 
     18-24 hours after treatment, the seedlings are inoculated by spraying the plants from all sides with an aqueous spore suspension containing about 10 5  spores/ml. For 18 hours after inoculation, the plants are kept in high humidity conditions at a temperature of 20-22° C. Thereafter, the plants are kept in ambient glasshouse conditions, that is, in moderate relative humidity and at a temperature of 20° C. 
     The disease is assessed 10 days after inoculation on the basis of the percentage of the plant covered by sporulating pustules compared with that on the control plants. 
     (g) Activity against rice leaf blast (Pyricularia oryzae Po) 
     The test is a direct therapeutic one using a foliar spray. The leaves of rice seedlings (about 30 seedlings per pot) are sprayed with an aqueous suspension containing 10 5  spores/ml 20-24 hours prior to treatment with the test compound. The inoculated plants are kept overnight in high humidity and then allowed to dry before spraying with the test compound at a dosage of 1 kilogram of active material per hectare using a track sprayer as described under (a). After treatment the plants are kept in a rice compartment at 25-30° C. and high humidity. Assessments are made 4-5 days after treatment and are based on the density of necrotic lesions per leaf when compared with control plants. 
     (h) Activity against tomato early bliqht (Alternaria solani; As) 
     This test measures the contact prophylactic activity of test compounds applied as a foliar spray. 
     Tomato seedlings (cv Outdoor Girl) are grown to the stage at which the second true leaf is expanded. The plants are treated using a track sprayer as described under (a). Test compounds are applied as solutions or suspensions in a mixture of acetone and water (50:50 v/v) containing 0.04% surfactant (&#34;TWEEN 20&#34;--Trade Mark). 
     One day after treatment the seedlings are inoculated by spraying the leaf upper surfaces with a suspension of A. solani conidia containing 10 4  spores/ml. For 3 days after inoculation plants are kept moist in a glasshouse compartment at or near 100% RH and 21° C. Thereafter plants are kept under humid, but not saturated, conditions. Disease is assessed 7 days after inoculation, based on the density and spread of lesions. 
     (i) Activity against wheat eyespot in-vitro (Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides; PhI) 
     This test measures the in vitro activity of compounds against the fungus causing wheat eyespot. 
     The test compound is dissolved or suspended in acetone and is added to molten half strength Potato Dextrose Agar to give a final concentration of 100 ppm compound and 3.5% acetone. After the agar has set, plates are inoculated with 6 mm diameter plugs of agar/mycelium taken from a 14 day old culture of P. herpotrichoides. 
     Plates are incubated at 20° C. for 12 days and radial growth from the inoculation plug is measured. 
     (j) Activity against Fusarium in-vitro (Fusarium species; FsI) 
     This test measures the in vitro activity of compounds against a species of Fusarium that causes stem and root rots. 
     Compound is dissolved or suspended in acetone and added to molten half strength Potato Dextrose Agar to give a final concentration of 100 ppm compound and 3.5% acetone. After the agar has set, plates are inoculated with 6 mm diameter plugs of agar and mycelium taken from a 7 day old culture of Fusarium sp.. 
     Plates are incubated at 20° C. for 5 days and radial growth from the plug is measured. 
     The extent of disease control in all the above tests is expressed as a rating compared with either an untreated control or a diluent-sprayed-control, according to the criteria: 
     0=less than 50% disease control 
     1=about 50-80% disease control 
     2=greater than 80% disease control 
     The results of these tests are set out in Table II below: 
     
                       TABLE II                                                    
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Compound                                                                  
Example Fungicidal Activity                                               
No.     Pva    Pvp    Bcp  Ln  Eg  Pr  Po  As  PhI  FsI                   
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 1A            2      1    2   2   2   1   2   2    2                     
 1B     1      2      2        2   1   1   1   1    2                     
 2                             2               2                          
 3             1           1   2   1           2    2                     
 4                             2           1   2                          
 5                             2               2                          
 6                             2               2    1                     
 7                             2   1       1   2    2                     
 8             2           2   2               1    2                     
 9                             2               2    1                     
10             1               2               2    1                     
11A            1               2   1       1        2                     
11B            1      1        2       1   1   2    2                     
12             2               2   1   1       1    2                     
13             1      2        2               1    2                     
14A            2               2           1   2                          
14B            1               2   1       1   2    1                     
15A            2      1        2   1       1   1    1                     
15B            2           1   2   1           1    2                     
16A     1      2      2        2   1       2   2    2                     
16B            2               2   2       1   1    1                     
17             2               2   2   1   2   2    2                     
18A                        2   2   1       1   2    1                     
18B            1           1   2   1       1   2    1                     
19A            1      1    1   2   2   1   1   2    2                     
19B            1               2   1       1   2    2                     
20A            2      1    2   2   2       2   2    2                     
20B            2      1    2   2   2   1   2   2    2                     
21A                   2    2   2   2   2   2   2    2                     
21B                   1        2   2   2       2    2                     
22A                   2        2   1       2   2    2                     
22B            2           1   2   1           2    2                     
23A            2           2   2   2   2   2   2    2                     
23B            2           1   2   1   1   2   2    2                     
24A            2      2        2   2       2   2    2                     
24B            2      1    1   2               2    2                     
25A            2      2        2   2       2   2    2                     
25B            2               1   1           1    1                     
26A            2               2   2   1   2   2    2                     
26B            2      1        2   1       2   2    2                     
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