Bithienyl derivatives, and herbicidal use for agents containing them
The present invention relates to bithienyl derivatives of the formula Ia ##STR3## where R 1  and R 2  are each hydrogen, halogen, nitro, formyl, C 1  -C 6  -alkyl, C 1  -C 6  -haloalkyl, C 3  -C 8  -cycloalkyl, C 3  -C 8  -cycloalkoxy, C 1  -C 6  -alkoxy, C 1  -C 4  -haloalkoxy, C 1  -C 4  -alkylthio, C 1  -C 4  -haloalkylthio, C 1  -C 6  -alkylcarbonyl, which may be monosubstituted to trisubstituted by halogen atoms, or C 3  -C 6  -cycloalkylcarbonyl, which may be monosubstituted to trisubstituted by halogen and/or C 1  -C 4  -alkyl, or C 1  -C 6  -alkoxycarbonyl and/or phenylcarbonyl; 
     R 3  is hydrogen, halogen, C 1  -C 4  -alkyl, C 1  -C 4  -alkoxy, C 1  -C 4  -alkylthio, C 1  -C 4  -haloalkyl or C 1  -C 4  -haloalkoxy; 
     A is a radical --CSNH 2  ; 
     oxazol-2-yl, oxazol-5-yl, isoxazol-3-yl, pyrazol-3-yl, pyrazol-5-yl, thiazol-2-yl or a corresponding benzofused radical, and these ring systems may carry one to five halogen atoms and/or one to three of the following substituents: 
     C 1  -C 6  -alkyl, C 1  -C 6  -alkoxy or C 1  -C 6  -alkylthio, each of which may in turn be monosubstituted to pentasubstituted by halogen and/or monosubstituted by C 1  -C 4  -alkoxy, C 1  -C 4  -haloalkoxy, C 1  -C 4  -alkylthio, amino, C 1  -C 4  -alkylamino or di-C 1  -C 4  -alkylamino; 
     C 3  -C 6  -cycloalkyl or phenyl, each of which may in turn be monosubstituted to pentasubstituted by halogen and/or monosubstituted to trisubstituted by C 1  -C 4  -alkyl, C 1  -C 4  -haloalkyl, C 1  -C 4  -alkoxy, C 1  -C 4  -haloalkoxy and/or C 1  -C 4  -alkylthio; 
     a radical --NR 4  R 5  or 
     a radical --COR 6  ; 
     R 4  and R 5  are each hydrogen, formyl, C 1  -C 6  -alkyl, C 1  -C 6  -haloalkyl, C 1  -C 4  -alkoxy, C 1  -C 4  -haloalkoxy, C 1  -C 6  -alkylcarbonyl, which may be monosubstituted to trisubstituted in the alkyl moiety by halogen, or C 1  -C 6  -alkoxycarbonyl and/or phenylcarbonyl, which may in turn be monosubstituted to pentasubstituted by halogen and/or monosubstituted to trisubstituted by C 1  -C 4  -alkyl, C 1  -C 4  -haloalkyl, C 1  -C 4  -alkoxy or C 1  -C 4  -haloalkoxy, 
     R 6  is hydroxyl, C 1  -C 6  -alkoxy, C 1  -C 4  -alkoxy-C 1  -C 4  -alkoxy, C 3  -C 6  -alkenyloxy, C 3  -C 6  -alkynyloxy, phenoxy or benzyloxy, and the aromatic rings may in turn be monosubstituted to pentasubstituted by halogen and/or monosubstituted to trisubstituted by C 1  -C 4  -alkyl, C 1  -C 4  -haloalkyl, C 1  -C 4  -alkoxy or C 1  -C 4  -haloalkoxy, or a group --NR 7  R 8 , and 
     R 7  and R 8  are each hydrogen, C 1  -C 6  -alkyl, C 3  -C 6  -alkenyl, C 3  -C 6  -alkynyl, C 1  -C 4  -alkoxy-C 1  -C 4  -alkyl, phenyl or benzyl. 
     The present invention furthermore relates to processes for the preparation of compounds Ia and herbicides which contain a bithienyl derivative of the formula I ##STR4## where R 1 , R 2  and R 3  have the abovementioned meanings, 
     B is a group --CSNH 2 , 
     pyridyl or quinolinyl, which may carry one to three of the groups stated for R 3  ; 
     phenyl or naphthyl, which may carry one to three of the following radicals: halogen, C 1  -C 4  -alkyl, C 1  -C 4  -haloalkyl, C 1  -C 4  -alkoxy, C 1  -C 4  -haloalkoxy, C 1  -C 4  -alkylthio, C 2  -C 6  -alkenyl, C 2  -C 6  -alkynyl, nitro and/or cyano; 
     furyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl or a corresponding benzofused radical, and these ring systems may carry one to five halogen atoms and/or one to three of the following substituents: 
     C 1  -C 6  -alkyl, C 1  -C 6  -alkoxy or C 1  -C 6  -alkylthio, each of which may in turn be monosubstituted to pentasubstituted by halogen and/or monosubstituted by C 1  -C 4  -alkoxy, C 1  -C 4  -haloalkoxy, C 1  -C 4  -alkylthio, amino, C 1  -C 4  -alkylamino or di-C 1  -C 4  -alkylamino; 
     C 3  -C 6  -cycloalkyl or phenyl, each of which may in turn be monosubstituted to pentasubstituted by halogen and/or monosubstituted to trisubstituted by C 1  -C 4  -alkyl, C 1  -C 4  -haloalkyl, C 1  -C 4  -alkoxy, C 1  -C 4  -haloalkoxy and/or C 1  -C 4  -alkylthio; 
     a radical --NR 4  R 5  or 
     a radical --COR 6  ; 
     R 4  and R 5  are each hydrogen, formyl, C 1  -C 6  -alkyl, C 1  -C 6  -haloalkyl, C 1  -C 4  -alkoxy, C 1  -C 4  -haloalkoxy, C 1  -C 6  -alkylcarbonyl, which may be monosubstituted to trisubstituted in the alkyl moiety by halogen, or C 1  -C 6  -alkoxycarbonyl and/or phenylcarbonyl, which may in turn be monosubstituted to pentasubstituted by halogen and/or monosubstituted to trisubstituted by C 1  -C 4  -alkyl, C 1  -C 4  -haloalkyl, C 1  -C 4  -alkoxy, or C 1  -C 4  -haloalkoxy, 
     R 6  is hydroxyl, C 1  -C 6  -alkoxy, C 1  -C 4  -alkoxy-C 1  -C 4  -alkoxy, C 3  -C 6  -alkenyloxy, C 3  -C 6  -alkynyloxy, phenoxy or benzyloxy, and the aromatic rings may in turn be monosubstituted to pentasubstituted by halogen and/or monosubstituted to trisubstituted by C 1  -C 4  -alkyl, C 1  -C 4  -haloalkyl, C 1  -C 4  -alkoxy or C 1  -C 4  -haloalkoxy; or a group --NR 7  R 8 , and 
     R 7  and R 8  are each hydrogen, C 1  -C 6  -alkyl, C 3  -C 6  -alkenyl, 
     C 3  -C 6  -alkynyl, C 1  -C 4  -alkoxy-C 1  -C 4  -alkyl, phenyl or benzyl. 
     Nematocidal substances, including those of the formula I&#39; ##STR5## where R a  and R b  independently of one another are each, for example, hydrogen, alkyl, an aliphatic acyl group, halogen and/or nitro, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,050,442. 
     In addition to the novel insecticidal property, reference is also made there to phytotoxic effects, which are demonstrated for α-bithienyl and α-terthienyl in experimental examples. 
     Furthermore, WO-A 86/05949 describes phenylbithienyl derivatives I&#34; ##STR6## the general definition of whose radicals and indices is covered by the phenylbithienyl derivatives I. These compounds are recommended as insecticides and acaricides, and it is expressly pointed out that there were no problems with the phytotoxicity at the application rates used (from 50 to 750, preferably from 150 to 500, g/ha) under the experimental conditions. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide bithienyl derivatives and herbicides which have high selectivity at a low application rate, i.e. control undesirable plants without damaging the crops. 
     We have found that this object is achieved by the compounds Ia defined at the outset and herbicides containing the bithienyl derivatives I defined at the outset. 
     The majority of bithienyl derivatives I are known or can be synthesized by the methods described in the literature cited above. 
     Furthermore, the compounds Ia in which A is a group --CSNH 2  are obtained, for example, if an appropriately substituted bithienyl cyanide II is reacted 
     a) either with hydrogen sulfide in the presence of a base or 
     b) with a thiocarboxylic acid III in the presence of an acid 
     in a conventional manner (Helv. Chim. Acta, 1960, 1522 et seq.). ##STR7## 
     The reaction according to route a.) is generally carried out in an inert organic solvent, such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, ethyl acetate, methylene chloride, hexane, cyclohexane, tetralin or toluene or a mixture of these, at from -15° to 50° C., preferably from 10° to 35° C. 
     Particularly suitable bases are tertiary amines, such as triethylamine, dimethylphenylamine, N-methylpiperidine, N-methylmorpholine and pyridine. Particularly preferably, II and hydrogen sulfide are reacted in the presence of pyridine and/or triethylamine. 
     The reaction of II with a thiocarboxylic acid III in which R is a lower alkyl group, such as methyl, ethyl or 1-methylethyl, by route b.) is carried out similarly to known methods (The Chemistry of Amides; Interscience Publishers, New York 1970, page 417 et seq.), preferably in a lower carboxylic acid, such as acetic acid or propionic acid, as a solvent and in the presence or absence of water, at from 40° to 160° C., preferably from 70° to 130° C. 
     Compounds Ia, in which A is oxazol-2-yl or thiazol-2-yl are obtained, for example, by reacting an appropriate bithienyl carboxamide IVa or -thiocarboxamide Ia in a conventional manner (Bull. Soc. Chim. Fr., 1974, page 2079 et seq.) in an inert organic solvent with an α-halocarbonyl compound V or the corresponding acetal or ketal. ##STR8## 
     In formula V, Hal is halogen, such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine, preferably chlorine or bromine, R A  is any substituent of the radical A as defined at the outset, and a plurality of these substituents in one molecule need not have the same meaning, n is 1 or 2 with n+m=2, and x is 0 or 1 with x+y=1. 
     Suitable solvents for this reaction are, in particular, polar inert organic solvents, such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, dimethylformamide, acetone, tert-butyl methyl ketone and acetonitrile. 
     The reaction temperature is in general from 40° to 170° C., preferably from 60° to 120° C. 
     It may also be advantageous, in order to increase the space-time yield of the reaction mixture, to add a base, such as the abovementioned tertiary amines and in particular piperidine, and/or to carry out the reaction at superatmospheric pressure (from 1 to 30, preferably from 1 to 5, atm). 
     Compounds Ia in which A is oxazol-5-yl are obtained by reacting an appropriate bithienylaldehyde derivative VI with an appropriate isonitrile VIIa or VIIb in a conventional manner (J. Org. Chem. 42 (1977), 3114 et seq.) in a polar organic solvent in the presence of a base. ##STR9## 
     In formulae VIIa and VIIb, Ar is aryl, in particular phenyl or tolyl, and R A  has the meaning stated above for compound V. 
     These reactions are carried out, in particular, in methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, dimethylformamide, acetone and/or acetonitrile as solvents, in the presence of an organic or inorganic base, such as the above-mentioned amines and methylates, ethylates, tert-butylates, hydroxides, carbonates and bicarbonates of alkali metal or alkaline earth metal cations, at from 30° to 150° C., preferably from 50° to 100° C. 
     Compounds Ia in which A is isoxazol-3-yl are obtained in a conventional manner (Houben-Weyl, Vol. 10/3, page 85 et seq.), by reacting a bithienyl nitrile oxide VIII with acetylene or an appropriately substituted alkyne IXa or IXb in an inert organic solvent. ##STR10## 
     In formulae IXa and IXb, R A  has the meaning stated above for compound V. Within the scope of this definition, the radicals R A  in different positions (formula IXb and the corresponding reaction product) may have different meanings. 
     Aprotic organic solvents, such as methylene chloride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, chlorobenzene, toluene, xylene, cyclohexane, diethyl ether, dioxane and tetrahydrofuran, are preferably used for this reaction. 
     The reaction temperature is in general from -15° to 70° C., preferably from 10° to 40° C. 
     The bithienyl nitrile oxides VIII required for the reaction are obtained, for example according to DE-A27 54 832, from the corresponding oximes of the aldehydes VI. As in the previous literature cited, the bithienyl nitrile oxides VIII are reacted, without prior isolation, i.e. in situ, with the acetylenes. 
     Compounds Ia in which A is pyrazol-5-yl are obtained in a conventional manner (The Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds--Pyrazoles etc., John Wiley and Sons, New York 1967, page 10 et seq.), by reacting a bithienyldicarbonyl derivative X with hydrazine or with a hydrazine derivative XI. ##STR11## 
     In formulae X and XI and their reaction product Ia, n, m, x, y and R A  have the meanings stated for formula V. Within the scope of their definition, the radicals R A  in different positions of a molecule may have different meanings. 
     Particularly suitable solvents for this reaction are the abovementioned protic polar solvents, in particular methanol, ethanol, acetic acid and/or propionic acid. 
     The reaction temperature is from 50° to 150° C., preferably from 80° to 120° C. 
     The bithienyldicarbonyl compounds X required for the reaction are obtained by known methods, for example by reacting an appropriate bithienylacyl compound XIIa or XIIb with the acetal or ketal of an N,N-dialkylcarboxamide XIIIa or XIIIb (U.S. Pat. No. 3,086,854; Adv. Org. Chem. 9 (1979), 393 et seq.). ##STR12## 
     In formulae XIIIa and XIIIb, R&#39; and R&#34; are each C 1  -C 4  -alkyl, in particular methyl, ethyl or isopropyl. 
     For the synthesis of the novel substances or of the substances which can be used according to the invention, methods which are described in the publications below are also useful: Heterocycles 10 (1978), 57; Khim. Farm. ZH. 7(8) (1973), 13-17; Khim. Farm. ZH. 6(6) (1972), 24-28; Helv. Chim. Acta, (1960), 1522; Khim. Geterosikl. Soedin, (1972), 770-772; U.S. Pat. No. 3,268,543; GB 1 268 817; Synthesis Commun., (1987), 51; Inorg. Chim. Acta 125 (1986), 203-206; Bull. Chem. Soc. Jap. 58 (1985), 2126; J. Chem. Soc. Perkin II, (1972), 27; Heterocycles 18 (1982), 117; Tetrahedron 38(22) (1982), 3347; J. Org. Chem. 47(8) (1982), 1590 and Bull. Soc. Chim. Fr. (1974), 2079. 
     With regard to the biological activity as herbicides, particularly preferred compounds I are those in which 
     R 1  and R 2  are each hydrogen; nitro; formyl; phenylcarbonyl; 
     halogen, such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine, preferably chlorine or bromine; 
     alkyl, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, butyl, 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl, pentyl, 1-methylbutyl, 2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl, 1,1-dimethylpropyl, 1,2-dimethylpropyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, 1-ethylpropyl, hexyl, 1-methylpentyl, 2-methylpentyl, 3-methylpentyl, 4-methylpentyl, 1,1-dimethylbutyl, 1,2-dimethylbutyl, 1,3-dimethylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylbutyl, 2,3-dimethylbutyl, 3,3-dimethylbutyl, 1-ethylbutyl, 2-ethylbutyl, 1,1,2-trimethylpropyl, 1,2,2-trimethylpropyl, 1-ethyl-1-methylpropyl or 1-ethyl-2-methylpropyl, haloalkyl, such as fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chlorodifluoromethyl, dichlorofluoromethyl, trichloromethyl, 1-fluoroethyl, 2-fluoroethyl, 2,2-difluoroethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, 2-chloro-2,2-difluoroethyl, 2,2-dichloro-2-fluoroethyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethyl or pentafluoroethyl, preferably trifluoromethyl, 
     cycloalkyl, such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl or cyclooctyl, preferably cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl; 
     cycloalkoxy, such as cyclopropoxy, cyclobutoxy, cyclopentyloxy, cyclohexyloxy, cycloheptyloxy or cyclooctyloxy, preferably cyclopropoxy, cyclopentyloxy or cyclohexyloxy; 
     alkoxy, such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, 1-methylethoxy, butoxy, 1-methylpropoxy, 2-methylpropoxy or 1,1-dimethylethoxy, preferably methoxy, ethoxy or propoxy; 
     haloalkoxy, such as difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, chlorodifluoromethoxy, dichlorofluoromethoxy, 1-fluoroethoxy, 2-fluoroethoxy, 2,2-difluoroethoxy, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy, 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy, 2-chloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethoxy or pentafluoroethoxy, preferably trifluoromethoxy; 
     alkylthio, such as methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, 1-methylethylthio, butylthio, 1-methylpropylthio, 2-methylpropylthio or 1,1-dimethylethylthio, preferably methylthio or ethylthio; 
     haloalkylthio, such as difluoromethylthio, trifluoromethylthio, chlorodifluoromethylthio, dichlorofluoromethylthio, 2-fluoroethylthio, 2,2-difluoroethylthio, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethylthio, 2,2,2-trifluoroethylthio or pentafluoroethylthio, preferably difluoromethylthio, trifluoromethylthio or pentafluoroethylthio; 
     alkylcarbonyl, such as acetyl, propionyl, isopropionyl, butyryl, 2-methylpropionyl, pentanoyl, 2-methylbutyryl, 3-methylbutyryl, 2,2-dimethylpropionyl, hexanoyl, 2-methylpentanoyl, 3-methylpentanoyl, 4-methylpentanoyl, 2,2-dimethylbutyryl, 2,3-dimethylbutyryl, 3,3-dimethylbutyryl or 2-ethylbutyryl, preferably acetyl, propionyl, butyryl and pentanoyl, which may be monosubstituted to trisubstituted by the abovementioned halogen atoms, in particular fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine; 
     cycloalkylcarbonyl, such as cyclopropylcarbonyl, cyclobutylcarbonyl, cyclopentylcarbonyl or cyclohexylcarbonyl, preferably cyclopentylcarbonyl or cyclohexylcarbonyl, which may be monosubstituted to trisubstituted by halogen as stated above, in particular fluorine and/or chlorine, and/or alkyl as stated above and having one to four carbon atoms, in particular methyl, ethyl and/or 1-methylethyl, and 
     alkoxycarbonyl, such as methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, propoxycarbonyl, 1-methylethoxycarbonyl, butoxycarbonyl, 1-methylpropoxycarbonyl, 2-methylpropoxycarbonyl or 1,1-dimethylethoxycarbonyl, preferably methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl; 
     R 3  is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, haloalkyl or haloalkoxy, each of one to four carbon atoms, as defined under R 1 , preferably hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, methylthio, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy; 
     B is --CSNH 2  ; 
     pyridyl or quinolinyl, which may carry one to three of the groups stated in general and in particular for R 3  ; 
     phenyl or naphthyl, which may carry one to three of the following substituents: the groups stated for R 3 , nitro, cyano, 
     alkenyl, such as ethenyl, 1-propenyl, 2-propenyl, 1-methylethenyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 1-methyl-1-propenyl, 1-methyl-2-propenyl, 2-methyl-1-propenyl, 2-methyl-2-propenyl, 1-pentenyl, 2-pentenyl, 3-pentenyl, 4-pentenyl, 1-methyl-1-butenyl, 2-methyl-1-butenyl, 3-methyl-1-butenyl, 1-methyl-2-butenyl, 2-methyl-2-butenyl, 3-methyl-2-butenyl, 1-methyl-3-butenyl, 2-methyl-3-butenyl, 3-methyl-3-butenyl, 1,1-diemthyl-2-propenyl, 1,2-dimethyl-1-propenyl, 1,2-diemthyl-2-propenyl, 1-ethyl-1-propenyl, 1-ethyl-2-propenyl, 1-hexenyl, 2-hexenyl, 3-hexenyl, 4-hexenyl, 5-hexenyl, 1-methyl-1-pentenyl, 2-methyl-1-pentenyl, 3-methyl-1-pentenyl, 4-methyl-1-pentenyl, 1-methyl-2-pentenyl, 2-methyl-2-pentenyl, 3-methyl-2-pentenyl, 4-methyl-2-pentenyl, 1-methyl-3-pentenyl, 2-methyl-3-pentenyl, 3-methyl-3-pentenyl, 4-methyl-3-pentenyl, 1-methyl-4-pentenyl, 2-methyl-4-pentenyl, 3-methyl-4-pentenyl, 4-methyl-4-pentenyl, 1,1-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 1,1-diemthyl-3-butenyl, 1,2-diemthyl-1-butenyl, 1,2-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 1,2-dimethyl-3-butenyl, 1,3-dimethyl-1-butenyl, 1,3-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 1,3-dimethyl-3-butenyl, 2,2-dimethyl-3-butenyl, 2,3-dimethyl-1-butenyl, 2,3-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 2,3-dimethyl-3-butenyl, 3,3-dimethyl-1-butenyl, 1-ethyl-1-butenyl, 1-ethyl-2-butenyl, 1-ethyl-3-butenyl, 2-ethyl-1-butenyl, 2-ethyl-2-butenyl, 2-ethyl-3-butenyl, 1,1,2-trimethyl-2-propenyl, 1-ethyl-1-methyl-2-propenyl, 1-ethyl-2-methyl-1-propenyl or 1-ethyl-2-methyl-2-propenyl, preferably ethenyl or 1-propenyl, and/or alkynyl, such as ethynyl, 1-propynyl, 2-propynyl, 1-butynyl, 2-butynyl, 1-methyl-2-propynyl, 1-pentynyl, 2-pentynyl, 3-pentynyl, 4-pentynyl, 1-methyl-3-butynyl, 2-methyl-3-butynyl, 1-methyl-2-butynyl, 3-methyl-1-butynyl, 1,1-dimethyl-2-propynyl, 1-ethyl-2-propynyl, 1-hexynyl, 2-hexynyl, 3-hexynyl, 4-hexynyl, 5-hexynyl, 1-methyl-2-pentynyl, 1-methyl-3-pentynyl, 1-methyl-4-pentynyl, 2-methyl-3-pentynyl, 2-methyl-4-pentynyl, 3-methyl-1pentynyl, 3-methyl-4-pentynyl, 4-methyl-1-pentynyl, 4-methyl-2-pentynyl, 1,1-dimethyl-2-butynyl, 1,1-dimethyl-3-butynyl, 1,2-dimethyl-3-butynyl, 2,2-dimethyl-3-butynyl, 3,3-dimethyl-1-butynyl, 1-ethyl-2-butynyl, 1-ethyl-3-butynyl, 2-ethyl-3-butynyl or 1-ethyl-1-methyl-2-propynyl, preferably ethynyl or 1-propynyl; furyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl or a corresponding benzofused ring, such as indolyl, isoindolyl, benzofuranyl, benzopyrazolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl or benzothiazolyl, and these ring systems may carry one to five halogen atoms as stated for R 1 , in particular fluorine and/or chlorine and/or one to three of the following radicals: 
     alkyl, alkoxy and/or alkylthio, in particular as stated for R 3 , which may in turn be monosubstituted to pentasubstituted by, in particular, fluorine and/or chlorine and/or monosubstituted by alkoxy, in particular methoxy or ethoxy, haloalkoxy, in particular difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy, alkylthio, in particular methylthio or ethylthio, amino, alkylamino, in particular methylamino or ethylamino, or dialkylamino, such as dimethylamino or diethylamino, 
     cycloalkyl of three to six carbon atoms, as stated in particular for R 3 , and/or phenyl, which may in turn carry one to five halogen atoms, in particular fluorine or chlorine, and/or one to three of the radicals stated in particular for R 3 , and 
     a radical --NR 4  R 5  or a radical --COR 6  ; 
     R 4  and R 5  are each hydrogen; formyl; 
     alkyl as stated for R 1 , in particular methyl, ethyl and/or 1-methylethyl; 
     haloalkyl as stated in general and in particular for R 1  ; 
     alkoxy as stated in general and in particular for R 3  ; 
     haloalkoxy as stated for R 3 , in particular difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy; 
     alkylcarbonyl as stated in general and in particular for R 1 , which may carry one to three halogen atoms, in particular fluorine and/or chlorine, in the alkyl moiety, and 
     alkoxycarbonyl as stated for R 1 , in particular methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, 1-methylethoxycarbonyl or 1,1-dimethylethoxycarbonyl, and/or phenylcarbonyl which in turn may carry one to five halogen atoms, in particular fluorine or chlorine, and/or one to three of the following groups: alkyl, in particular methyl or ethyl, haloalkyl, in particular difluoromethyl or trifluoromethyl, alkoxy, in particular methoxy or 1-methylethoxy and/or haloalkoxy, in particular difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy; 
     R 6  is hydroxyl; 
     alkoxy as stated for R 1 , in particular methoxy, ethoxy or 1-methylethoxy; 
     alkoxyalkoxy, such as 2-methoxyethoxy, 2-ethoxyethoxy, 2-methoxypropoxy, 3-methoxypropoxy, 2-ethoxypropoxy, 3-ethoxypropoxy, 1-methyl-2-methoxyethoxy, 2-ethoxy-1-methylethoxy, 2-methoxy-1-methylpropoxy, 2-ethoxy-1-methylpropoxy or 2-methoxy-2-methylpropoxy, in particular 2-methoxyethoxy, 2-ethoxyethoxy, 2-methoxypropoxy or 2-methoxy-1-methylethoxy; 
     alkenyloxy, such as allyloxy, 2-butenyloxy, 3-butenyloxy, 1-methyl-2-propenyloxy, 2-methyl-2-propenyloxy, 2-pentenyloxy, 3-pentenyloxy, 4-pentenyloxy, 1-methyl-2-butenyloxy, 2-methyl-2-butenyloxy, 3-methyl-2-butenyloxy, 1,2-dimethyl-2-propenyloxy, 1,1-dimethyl-2-propenyloxy, 1-methyl-3-butenyloxy, 1-ethyl-2-propenyloxy, 2-hexenyloxy, 1-methyl-2-pentenyloxy, 1-ethyl-2-butenyloxy or 2-ethyl-2-butenyloxy, preferably allyloxy, 2-butenyloxy or 3-butenyloxy; 
     alkynyloxy, such as 2-propynyloxy, 2-butynyloxy, 3-butynyloxy, 1-methyl-2-propynyloxy, 1-methyl-2-butynyloxy, 1-ethyl-2-propynyloxy, 2-pentynyloxy, 3-pentynyloxy, 4-pentynyloxy or 1-methyl-2-pentynyloxy, preferably 2-propynyloxy; 
     phenoxy or benzyloxy, where the aromatic rings may in turn be monosubstituted to pentasubstituted by halogen as stated above for R 1 , in particular fluorine or chlorine, and/or monosubstituted to trisubstituted by alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy or haloalkoxy as stated for R 1 , in particular of one or two carbon atoms; 
     or a group NR 7  R 8 , and 
     R 7  and R 8  are each hydrogen; 
     alkyl as stated in general and in particular for R 1  ; 
     alkenyl, such as 2-propenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 1-methyl-2-propenyl, 2-methyl-2-propenyl, 2-pentenyl, 3-pentenyl, 4-pentenyl, 1-methyl-2-butenyl, 2-methyl-2-butenyl, 3-methyl-2-butenyl, 1-methyl-3-butenyl, 2-methyl-3-butenyl, 3-methyl-3-butenyl, 1,1-dimethyl-2-propenyl, 1,2-dimethyl-2-propenyl, 1-ethyl-2-propenyl, 2-hexenyl, 3-hexenyl, 4-hexenyl, 5-hexenyl, 1-methyl-2-pentenyl, 2-methyl-2-pentenyl, 3-methyl-2-pentenyl, 4-methyl-2-pentenyl, 1-methyl-3-pentenyl, 2-methyl-3-pentenyl, 3-methyl-3-pentenyl, 4-methyl-3-pentenyl, 1-methyl-4-pentenyl, 2-methyl-4-pentenyl, 3-methyl-4-pentenyl, 4-methyl-4-pentenyl, 1,1-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 1,1-dimethyl-3-butenyl, 1,2-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 1,2-dimethyl-3-butenyl, 1,3-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 1,3-dimethyl-3-butenyl, 2,2-dimethyl-3-butenyl, 2,3-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 2,3-dimethyl-3-butenyl, 1-ethyl-2-butenyl, 1-ethyl-3-butenyl, 2-ethyl-2-butenyl, 2-ethyl-3-butenyl, 1,1,2-trimethyl-2-propenyl, 1-ethyl-1-methyl-2-propenyl or 1-ethyl-2-methyl-2-propenyl, in particular 2-propenyl, 2-butenyl or 3-butenyl; 
     alkynyl, such as 2-propynyl, 2-butynyl, 3-butynyl, 1-methyl-2-propynyl, 2-pentynyl, 3-pentynyl, 4-pentynyl, 1-methyl-3-butynyl, 2-methyl-3-butynyl, 1-methyl-2-butynyl, 1,1-dimethyl-2-propynyl, 1-ethyl-2-propynyl, 2-hexynyl, 3-hexynyl, 4-hexynyl, 5-hexynyl, 1-methyl-2-pentynyl, 1-methyl-3-pentynyl, 1-methyl-4-pentynyl, 2-methyl-3-pentynyl, 2-methyl-4-pentynyl, 3-methyl-4-pentynyl, 4-methyl-2-pentynyl, 1,1-dimethyl-2-butynyl, 1,1-dimethyl-3-butynyl, 1,2-dimethyl-3-butynyl, 2,2-dimethyl-3-butynyl, 1-ethyl-2-butynyl, 1-ethyl-3-butynyl, 2-ethyl-3-butynyl or 1-ethyl-1-methyl-2-propynyl, in particular 2-propynyl or 2-butynyl; 
     alkoxyalkyl, such as methoxymethyl, 2-methoxyethyl, 2-methoxypropyl, 3-methoxypropyl, 2-methoxy-1-methylethyl, ethoxymethyl, 2-ethoxyethyl, 2-ethoxypropyl, 3-ethoxypropyl, 2-ethoxy-1-methylethyl or 1-ethoxy-1-methylethyl, in particular methoxyethyl or ethoxyethyl, or 
     phenyl or benzyl. 
     The bithienyl derivatives I, or the herbicidal agents containing them, may be applied for instance in the form of directly sprayable solutions, powders, suspensions (including high-percentage aqueous, oily or other suspensions), dispersions, emulsions, oil dispersions, pastes, dusts, broadcasting agents, or granules by spraying, atomizing, dusting, broadcasting or watering. The forms of application depend entirely on the purpose for which the agents are being used, but they must ensure as fine a distribution of the active ingredients according to the invention as possible. 
     For the preparation of solutions, emulsions, pastes and oil dispersions to be sprayed direct, mineral oil fractions of medium to high boiling point, such as kerosene or diesel oil, further coal-tar oils, and oils of vegetable or animal origin, aliphatic, cyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylene, paraffin, tetrahydronaphthalene, alkylated naphthalenes and their derivatives such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, cyclohexanol, cyclohexanone, chlorobenzene, isophorone, etc., and strongly polar solvents such as dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, N-methylpyrrolidone, water, etc. are suitable. 
     Aqueous formulations may be prepared from emulsion concentrates, pastes, oil dispersions or wettable powders by adding water. To prepare emulsions, pastes and oil dispersions the ingredients as such or dissolved in an oil or solvent may be homogenized in water by means of wetting or dispersing agents, adherents or emulsifiers. Concentrates which are suitable for dilution with water may be prepared from active ingredient, wetting agent, adherent, emulsifying or dispersing agent and possibly solvent or oil. 
     Examples of surfactants are: alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and ammonium salts of ligninsulfonic acid, naphthalenesulfonic acids, phenolsulfonic acids, alkylaryl sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, and alkyl sulfonates, alkali metal and alkaline earth metal salts of dibutylnaphthalenesulfonic acid, lauryl ether sulfate, fatty alcohol sulfates, alkali metal and alkaline earth metal salts of fatty acids, salts of sulfated hexadecanols, heptadecanols, and octadecanols, salts of sulfated fatty alcohol glycol ethers, condensation products of sulfonated naphthalene and naphthalene derivatives with formaldehyde, condensation products of naphthalene or naphthalenesulfonic acids with phenol and formaldehyde, polyoxyethylene octylphenol ethers, ethoxylated isooctylphenol, ethoxylated octylphenol and ethoxylated nonylphenol, alkylphenol polyglycol ethers, tributylphenyl polyglycol ethers, alkylaryl polyether alcohols, isotridecyl alcohol, fatty alcohol ethylene oxide condensates, ethoxylated castor oil, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, ethoxylated polyoxypropylene, lauryl alcohol polyglycol ether acetal, sorbitol esters, lignin-sulfite waste liquors and methyl cellulose. 
     Powders, dusts and broadcasting agents may be prepared by mixing or grinding the active ingredients with a solid carrier. 
     Granules, e.g., coated, impregnated or homogeneous granules, may be prepared by bonding the active ingredients to solid carriers. Examples of solid carriers are mineral earths such as silicic acid, silica gels, silicates, talc, kaolin, attapulgus clay, limestone, lime, chalk, bole, loess, clay, dolomite, diatomaceous earth, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium oxide, ground plastics, fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate, and ureas, and vegetable products such as grain flours, bark meal, wood meal, and nutshell meal, cellulosic powders, etc. 
     The formulations contain from 0.1 to 95, and preferably 0.5 to 90, % by weight of active ingredient. The active ingredients are used in a purity of from 90 to 100, and preferably from 95 to 100, % (according to the NMR spectrum). 
     The compounds I according to the invention may be formulated for example as follows. 
     I. 90 parts by weight of compound no. 1.002 is mixed with 10 parts by weight of N-methyl-alpha-pyrrolidone. A mixture is obtained which is suitable for application in the form of very fine drops. 
     II. 20 parts by weight of compound no. 2.001 is dissolved in a mixture consisting of 80 parts by weight of xylene, 10 parts by weight of the adduct of 8 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide and 1 mole of oleic acid-N-monoethanolamide, 5 parts by weight of the calcium salt of dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, and 5 parts by weight of the adduct of 40 moles of ethylene oxide and 1 mole of castor oil. By pouring the solution into 100,000 parts by weight of water and uniformly distributing it therein, an aqueous dispersion is obtained containing 0.02% by weight of the active ingredient. 
     III. 20 parts by weight of compound no. 6.006 is dissolved in a mixture consisting of 40 parts by weight of cyclohexanone, 30 parts by weight of isobutanol, 20 parts by weight of the adduct of 7 moles of ethylene oxide and 1 mole of isooctylphenol, and 10 parts by weight of the adduct of 40 moles of ethylene oxide and 1 mole of castor oil. By pouring the solution into 100,000 parts by weight of water and finely distributing it therein, an aqueous dispersion is obtained containing 0.02% by weight of the active ingredient. 
     IV. 20 parts by weight of compound no. 7.001 is dissolved in a mixture consisting of 25 parts by weight of cyclohexanol, 65 parts by weight of a mineral oil fraction having a boiling point between 210° and 280° C., and 10 parts by weight of the adduct of 40 moles of ethylene oxide and 1 mole of castor oil. By pouring the solution into 100,000 parts by weight of water and uniformly distributing it therein, an aqueous dispersion is obtained containing 0.02% by weight of the active ingredient. 
     V. 20 parts by weight of compound no. 8.001 is well mixed with 3 parts by weight of the sodium salt of diisobutylnaphthalene-alpha-sulfonic acid, 17 parts by weight of the sodium salt of a lignin-sulfonic acid obtained from a sulfite waste liquor, and 60 parts by weight of powdered silica gel, and triturated in a hammer mill. By uniformly distributing the mixture in 20,000 parts by weight of water, a spray liquor is obtained containing 0.1% by weight of the active ingredient. 
     VI. 3 parts by weight of compound no. 10.002 is intimately mixed with 97 parts by weight of particulate kaolin. A dust is obtained containing 3% by weight of the active ingredient. 
     VII. 30 parts by weight of compound no. 11.010 is intimately mixed with a mixture consisting of 92 parts by weight of powdered silica gel and 8 parts by weight of paraffin oil which has been sprayed onto the surface of this silica gel. A formulation of the active ingredient is obtained having good adherence. 
     VIII. 20 parts by weight of compound no. 13.005 is intimately mixed with 2 parts of the calcium salt of dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, 8 parts of a fatty alcohol polyglycol ether, 2 parts of the sodium salt of a phenolsulfonic acid-urea-formaldehyde condensate and 68 parts of a paraffinic mineral oil. A stable oily dispersion is obtained. 
     The active ingredients may be applied pre- or postemergence. If certain crop plants tolerate the active ingredients less well, application techniques may be used in which the herbicidal agents are sprayed from suitable equipment in such a manner that the leaves of sensitive crop plants are if possible not touched, and the agents reach the soil or the unwanted plants growing beneath the crop plants (post-directed, lay-by treatment). 
     The application rates depend on the objective to be-achieved, the time of the year, the plants to be combated and their growth stage, and are from 0.001 to 5.0, preferably 0.01 to 1.0, kg of active ingredient per hectare. In view of the number of application methods possible, the compounds according to the invention, or agents containing them, may be used in a further large number of crops for removing unwanted plants. The following crops are given by way of example: 
     
         __________________________________________________________________________
Botanical name           Common name                                      
__________________________________________________________________________
Allium cepa              onions                                           
Ananas comosus           pineapples                                       
Arachis hypogaea         peanuts (groundnuts)                             
Asparagus officinalis    asparagus                                        
Avena sativa             oats                                             
Beta vulgaris spp. altissima                                              
                         sugarbeets                                       
Beta vulgaris spp. rapa  fodder beets                                     
Beta vulgaris spp. esculenta                                              
                         table beets, red beets                           
Brassica napus var. napus                                                 
                         rapeseed                                         
Brassica napus var. napobrassica                                          
                         swedes                                           
Brassica napus var. rapa turnips                                          
Brassica rapa var. silvestris                                             
Camellia sinensis        tea plants                                       
Carthamus tinctorius     safflower                                        
Carya illinoinensis      pecan trees                                      
Citrus limon             lemons                                           
Citrus maxima            grapefruits                                      
Citrus reticulata        mandarins                                        
Citrus sinensis          orange trees                                     
Coffea arabica (Coffea canephora,                                         
                         coffee plants                                    
Coffea liberica)                                                          
Cucumis melo             melons                                           
Cucumis sativus          cucumbers                                        
Cynodon dactylon         Bermudagrass                                     
Daucus carota            carrots                                          
Elais guineensis         oil palms                                        
Fragaria vesca           strawberries                                     
Glycine max              soybeans                                         
Gossypium hirsutum (Gossypium arboreum,                                   
                         cotton                                           
Gossypium herbaceum, Gossypium vitifolium)                                
Helianthus annuus        sunflowers                                       
Helianthus tuberosus     Jerusalem artichoke                              
Hevea brasiliensis       rubber plants                                    
Hordeum vulgare          barley                                           
Humulus lupulus          hops                                             
Ipomoea batatas          sweet potatoes                                   
Juglans regia            walnut trees                                     
Lactuca sativa           lettuce                                          
Lens culinaris           lentils                                          
Linum usitatissimum      flax                                             
Lycopersicon lycopersicum                                                 
                         tomatoes                                         
Malus spp.               apple trees                                      
Manihot esculenta        cassava                                          
Medicago sativa          alfalfa (lucerne)                                
Mentha piperita          peppermint                                       
Musa spp.                banana plants                                    
Nicotiana tabacum (N. rustica)                                            
                         tobacco                                          
Olea europaea            olive trees                                      
Oryza sativa             rice                                             
Panicum miliaceum        millet                                           
Phaseolus lunatus        limabeans                                        
Phaseolus mungo          mungbeans                                        
Phaseolus vulgaris       snapbeans, green beans,                          
                         dry beans                                        
Pennisetum glaucum       pearl millet                                     
Petroselinum crispum spp. tuberosum                                       
                         parsley                                          
Picea abies              Norway spruce                                    
Abies alba               fir trees                                        
Pinus spp.               pine trees                                       
Pisum sativum            English peas                                     
Prunus avium             cherry trees                                     
Prunus domestica         plum trees                                       
Prunus dulcis            almond trees                                     
Prunus persica           peach trees                                      
Pyrus communis           pear trees                                       
Ribes sylvestre          redcurrants                                      
Ribes uva-crispa         gooseberries                                     
Ricinus communis         castor-oil plants                                
Saccharum officinarum    sugar cane                                       
Secale cereale           rye                                              
Sesamum indicum          sesame                                           
Solanum tuberosum        Irish potatoes                                   
Sorghum bicolor (s. vulgare)                                              
                         sorghum                                          
Sorghum dochna           sorgo                                            
Spinacia oleracea        spinach                                          
Theobroma cacao          cacao plants                                     
Trifolium pratense       red clover                                       
Triticum aestivum        wheat                                            
Triticum durum           durum wheat                                      
Vaccinium corymbosum     blueberries                                      
Vaccinium vitis-idaea    cranberries                                      
Vicia faba               tick beans                                       
Vigna sinensis (V. unguiculata)                                           
                         cow peas                                         
Vitis vinifera           grapes                                           
Zea mays                 Indian corn, sweet corn,                         
                         maize                                            
__________________________________________________________________________
 
    
     To increase the spectrum of action and to achieve synergistic effects, the bithienyl derivatives I may be mixed and applied together with numerous representatives of other herbicidal or growth-regulating active ingredient groups. Examples of suitable components are diazines, 4H-3,1-benzoxazine derivatives, benzothiadiazionones, 2,6-dinitroanilines, N-phenylcarbamates, thiolcarbamates, halocarboxylic acids, triazines, amides, ureas, diphenyl ethers, triazinones, uracils, benzofuran derivatives, cyclohexane-1,3-dione derivatives, quinolinecarboxylic acids, aryloxy-or heteroaryloxyphenylpropionic acids and salts, esters and amides thereof, etc. 
     It may also be useful to apply the herbicidal compounds I, either alone or in combination with other herbicides, in admixture with other crop protection agents, e.g., agents for combating pests or phytopathogenic fungi or bacteria. The compounds may also be mixed with solutions of mineral salts used to remedy nutritional or trace element deficiencies. Non-phytotoxic oils and oil concentrates may also be added. 
    
    
     SYNTHESIS EXAMPLES 
     The directions given in the synthesis examples below were used, after appropriate modifications of the starting materials, to obtain further compounds I. The compounds thus obtained, or obtained in accordance with the literature cited above (WO-A 86/05949), are listed with physical data in the tables below. Compounds without these data may be obtained analogously. In view of their close structural relationship, they are expected to have a similar action. 
     EXAMPLE 1 ##STR13## 
     20 mmol of 5&#39;-chlorobithienyl-5-carbaldehyde and 20 mmol of p-toluenesulfonylmethyl isocyanite were dispersed in 60 ml of methanol and 40 mmol of potassium carbonate was added, at 20° C., to the mixture thus obtained. The reaction mixture was refluxed for 30 minutes. The addition of water to the cold reaction mixture gave the desired product as a solid. 
     (Yield: 60%; mp. 89° C.; compound no. 1.002). 
     EXAMPLE 2 ##STR14## 
     46 mmol of bithienyl-5-carbaldehyde, 46 mmol of o-aminophenol and 45 ml of ethanol were stirred for 4 hours at 80° C. After the mixture had cooled, the hydroxyimino compound was obtained as a solid in a yield of 88%. 
     5 g of this intermediate was stirred with 4.8 g of silver oxide and 20 ml of methylene chloride for 10 hours at 20° C. The reaction mixture was freed from inorganic impurities and concentrated under reduced pressure, and the product thus obtained was purified by chromatography. 
     (Yield: 50%; mp. 129°-131° C; Compound no. 14.001). 
     EXAMPLE 3 ##STR15## 
     At 0° C., 5.0 g of propargyl chloride and then 31.5 g of 10% strength sodium hypochlorite solution (in water) and 0.5 g of sodium hydroxide were added to a mixture of 8.1 g of bithienyl-5-carbaldoxime and 50 ml of methylene chloride, and the reaction mixture was kept at 20° C. for 10 hours. The product was isolated by working up the organic phase in conventional manner, followed by chromatography. 
     (Yield: 6.9 g; mp. 80° C.; compound no. 2.002). 
     EXAMPLE 4 ##STR16## 
     At -5° C., 300 ml of ice and then 35 g of hydroxylamine-O-sulfate were added to a solution of 47.5 g of bithienyl-5-carbaldehyde, 400 ml of ether and 30 ml of methylene chloride. After the mixture had been stirred for one hour at -5° C., the organic solvent was removed, with cooling, under reduced pressure. The aqueous phase was purified with the aid of activated carbon and then stirred at 0° C. into 250 ml of 4N caustic soda solution, whereupon bithienyl-5-cyanide precipitated out. 
     20 g of the cyanide thus obtained, 4 ml of glacial acetic acid and 44 g of thioacetic acid were stirred for 30 minutes at 75° C. The product was isolated from the reaction mixture by stirring in 250 ml of a 1:1 mixture of isopropanol and water. 
     (Yield: 15.1 g; mp. &gt;200° C.; Compound no. 7.001). 
     A mixture of 3.0 g of α-bromoacetophenone, 3.0 g of bithienyl-5-thioamide (Example 4), 2 drops of piperidine and 50 ml of isopropanol was refluxed for 30 minutes. When the reaction mixture cooled the product precipitated as a solid. 
     (Yield: 2.95 g; mp. 139°-141° C.; Compound no. 6.007). 
     EXAMPLE 6 ##STR17## 
     a) In 140 ml of ether, 17.4 g (0.725 mol) of magnesium shavings was reacted according to Grignard with 118 g (0.723 mol) of 2-bromothiophene, and this solution was then introduced into 280 ml of ether, 1.5 g (2.8 mmol) of 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane nickel dichloride and 140 g (0.586 mol) of 5-bromo-2-phenylthiophene. After the slightly exothermic reaction had subsided, the mixture was stirred for 4 hours at boiling point, and the solution thus obtained was then diluted with 280 ml of ether and stirred into 280 ml of 2N hydrochloric acid solution. The crystals which precipitated out were isolated and dried. There was obtained 98.4 g (69.4% of theory) of 5-phenyl-[2,2&#39;-bithienyl], mp. 116.5°-118° C. 
     A further 37.5 g of a solid consisting to the extent of 71% of 5-phenyl-[2,2&#39;-bithienyl] (HPLC analysis) was obtained from the mother liquor after washing, drying, concentration and recrystallization from isopropanol with a little activated carbon. 
     b) At 42° C. and within a period of 2 minutes, 2.4 g (17.8 mmol) of sulfuryl chloride was added to 30 ml of glacial acetic acid, 0.1 g (0.75 mmol) of aluminum trichloride and 3.5 g (14 mmol) of compound a), and the mixture obtained was stirred for 4 hours at 50° C. The precipitate was isolated, washed with water and dried. There was obtained 2.2 g (56.8% of theory) of 5&#39;-chloro-5-phenyl-[2,2&#39;-bithienyl], mp: 128°-132° C.; Compound no. 17.003. 
     
                                           TABLE 1                                 
__________________________________________________________________________
 ##STR18##                           I.1                                  
No. R.sup.1 R.sup.2                                                       
                R.sup.3                                                   
                    X.sup.1                                               
                         X.sup.2                                          
                                Phys. data                                
__________________________________________________________________________
1.002                                                                     
    H       H   H   H    H      mp. 80-81° C.                      
1.002                                                                     
    Cl      H   H   H    H      mp. 89° C.                         
1.003                                                                     
    H       H   H   H    CH.sub.3                                         
1.004                                                                     
    H       H   H   H    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                
1.005                                                                     
    Cl      H   H   H    CH.sub.3                                         
1.006                                                                     
    H       H   H   CH.sub.3                                              
                         H                                                
1.007                                                                     
    Cl      H   H   H    H                                                
1.008                                                                     
    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                     
            H   H   H    H                                                
1.009                                                                     
    Cl      H   H   H    CH.sub.3                                         
1.010                                                                     
    Br      H   H   H    H                                                
1.011                                                                     
    H       H   H   H    C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                  
1.012                                                                     
    Cl      H   H   H    H                                                
1.013                                                                     
    CH.sub.3                                                              
            4&#39; -CH.sub.3                                                  
                H   H    H                                                
1.014                                                                     
    CH.sub.3                                                              
            4&#39;-CH.sub.3                                                   
                H   H    CH.sub.3                                         
1.015                                                                     
    H       H   4-CH.sub.3                                                
                    H    H                                                
1.016                                                                     
    COOCH.sub.3                                                           
            H   H   H    H                                                
1.017                                                                     
    COOH    H   H   H    H                                                
1.018                                                                     
    COOCH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                  
            H   H   H    H                                                
1.019                                                                     
    H       H   H   H    CF.sub.3                                         
1.020                                                                     
    H       H   H   CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                     
                         H                                                
1.021                                                                     
    H       H   H   H    4-ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4                              
__________________________________________________________________________
 
    
     
                                           TABLE 2                                 
__________________________________________________________________________
 ##STR19##                           I.2                                  
No. R.sup.1 R.sup.2                                                       
               R.sup.3                                                    
                     X.sup.1                                              
                         X.sup.2 Phys. data                               
__________________________________________________________________________
2.001                                                                     
    H       H  H     H   H       mp. 93-95° C.                     
2.002                                                                     
    H       H  H     H   CH.sub.2 Cl                                      
                                 mp. 80° C.                        
2.003                                                                     
    Cl      H  H     H   H                                                
2.004                                                                     
    Br      H  H     H   H                                                
2.005                                                                     
    Cl      H  H     H   CH.sub.2 Cl                                      
2.006                                                                     
    Br      H  H     H   CH.sub.2 Cl                                      
2.007                                                                     
    H       H  H     H   COOCH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                             
2.008                                                                     
    H       H  H     H   COOCH.sub.3                                      
2.009                                                                     
    H       H  H     H   C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                  
2.010                                                                     
    H       H  H     CH.sub.3                                             
                         H                                                
2.011                                                                     
    CH.sub.3                                                              
            H  H     H   H                                                
2.012                                                                     
    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                     
            H  H     H   H                                                
2.013                                                                     
    CH.sub.3                                                              
            H  H     H   CH.sub.2 Cl                                      
2.014                                                                     
    H       H  4-CH.sub.3                                                 
                     H   H                                                
2.015                                                                     
    H       H  4-CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                        
                     H   H                                                
2.016                                                                     
    CH.sub.3                                                              
            H  4-CH.sub.3                                                 
                     H   H                                                
2.017                                                                     
    COOH    H  H     H   H                                                
2.018                                                                     
    COOCH.sub.3                                                           
            H  H     H   H                                                
2.019                                                                     
    COOCH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                  
            H  H     H   H                                                
2.020                                                                     
    CONH.sub.2                                                            
            H  H     H   H                                                
2.021                                                                     
    H       H  H     H   CH.sub.2 OH                                      
__________________________________________________________________________
 
    
     
                       TABLE 3                                                     
______________________________________                                    
 ##STR20##                     I.3                                        
                                             Phys.                        
No.  R.sup.1  R.sup.2                                                     
                    R.sup.3                                               
                          X.sup.3  X.sup.1                                
                                        X.sup.2                           
                                             data                         
______________________________________                                    
3.001                                                                     
     H        H     H     C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                 
                                   H    H                                 
3.002                                                                     
     H        H     H     4-ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4                             
                                   H    H                                 
3.003                                                                     
     H        H     H     4-FC.sub.6 H.sub.4                              
                                   H    H                                 
3.004                                                                     
     H        H     H     4-CH.sub.3C.sub.6 H.sub.4                       
                                   H    H                                 
3.005                                                                     
     H        H     H                                                     
                           ##STR21##                                      
                                   H    H                                 
3.006                                                                     
     H        H     H                                                     
                           ##STR22##                                      
                                   H    H                                 
3.007                                                                     
     H        H     H     H        CH.sub.3                               
                                        H                                 
3.008                                                                     
     H        H     H     H        H    CH.sub.3                          
3.009                                                                     
     H        H     H     H        H    C.sub.6 H.sub.5                   
3.010                                                                     
     Cl       H     H     H        H    C.sub.6 H.sub.5                   
3.011                                                                     
     CH.sub.3 H     H     H        H    H                                 
3.012                                                                     
     CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                    
              H     H     H        H    H                                 
3.013                                                                     
     Br       H     H     H        H    H                                 
3.014                                                                     
     Cl       H     H     H        CH.sub.3                               
                                        CH.sub.3                          
3.015                                                                     
     Cl       H     H     C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                 
                                   CH.sub.3                               
                                        CH.sub.3                          
3.016                                                                     
     H        H     4-CH.sub.3                                            
                          CH.sub.3 H    H                                 
3.017                                                                     
     Cl       H     H     CH.sub.3 H    H                                 
3.018                                                                     
     CH.sub.3 H     H     CH.sub.3 H    H                                 
3.019                                                                     
     CH.sub.3 H     H     C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                 
                                   CH.sub.3                               
                                        CH.sub.3                          
3.020                                                                     
     OCH.sub.3                                                            
              H     H     CH.sub.3 H    H                                 
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     
                                           TABLE 4                                 
__________________________________________________________________________
 ##STR23##                                                                
No. R.sup.1                                                               
         R.sup.2                                                          
              R.sup.3                                                     
                   X.sup.3                                                
                          X.sup.1                                         
                              X.sup.2                                     
                                 Phys. data                               
__________________________________________________________________________
4.001                                                                     
    H    H    H    C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                        
                          H   H                                           
4.002                                                                     
    H    H    H    4-ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4                                    
                          H   H                                           
4.003                                                                     
    H    H    H    4-FC.sub.6 H.sub.4                                     
                          H   H                                           
4.004                                                                     
    H    H    H    4-CH.sub.3C.sub.6 H.sub.4                              
                          H   H                                           
4.005                                                                     
    H    H    H                                                           
                    ##STR24##                                             
                          H   H                                           
4.006                                                                     
    H    H    H                                                           
                    ##STR25##                                             
                          H   H                                           
4.007                                                                     
    H    H    H    H      CH.sub.3                                        
                              H                                           
4.008                                                                     
    H    H    H    H      H   CH.sub. 3                                   
4.009                                                                     
    H    H    H    H      CH.sub.3                                        
                              CH.sub.3                                    
4.010                                                                     
    Cl   H    H    H      H   H                                           
4.011                                                                     
    CH.sub.3                                                              
         H    H    H      H   H                                           
4.012                                                                     
    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                     
         H    H    H      H   H                                           
4.013                                                                     
    Br   H    H    H      H   H                                           
4.014                                                                     
    Cl   H    H    H      CH.sub.3                                        
                              CH.sub.3                                    
4.015                                                                     
    Cl   H    H    C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                        
                          CH.sub.3                                        
                              CH.sub.3                                    
4.016                                                                     
    H    4&#39;-CH.sub.3                                                      
              H    CH.sub.3                                               
                          H   CH.sub.3                                    
4.017                                                                     
    Cl   H    H    CH.sub.3                                               
                          H   H                                           
4.018                                                                     
    Cl   H    H    CH.sub.3                                               
                          H   CH.sub.3                                    
4.019                                                                     
    CH.sub.3                                                              
         H    H    C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                        
                          CH.sub.3                                        
                              CH.sub.3                                    
4.020                                                                     
    OCH.sub.3                                                             
         H    H    H      H   H                                           
4.021                                                                     
    CH.sub.3                                                              
         H    4-CH.sub.3                                                  
                   H      H   H                                           
__________________________________________________________________________
 
    
     
                       TABLE 5                                                     
______________________________________                                    
 ##STR26##                     I.5                                        
                                           Phys.                          
No.  R.sup.1  R.sup.2 R.sup.3                                             
                            X.sup.1 X.sup.2                               
                                           data                           
______________________________________                                    
5.001                                                                     
     H        H       H     H       H                                     
5.002                                                                     
     H        H       H     CH.sub.3                                      
                                    H                                     
5.003                                                                     
     H        H       H     H       CH.sub.3                              
5.004                                                                     
     CH.sub.3 H       H     H       CH.sub.3                              
5.005                                                                     
     H        H       4-CH.sub.3                                          
                            H       H                                     
5.006                                                                     
     H        4&#39;-CH.sub.3                                                 
                      H     H       H                                     
5.007                                                                     
     Cl       H       H     H       CH.sub.3                              
5.008                                                                     
     CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                    
              H       H     H       CH.sub.3                              
5.009                                                                     
     Br       H       H     H       CH.sub.3                              
5.010                                                                     
     H        H       H     C.sub.6 H.sub.5                               
                                    H                                     
5.011                                                                     
     Cl       H       4-Cl  H       CH.sub.3                              
5.012                                                                     
     OCH.sub.3                                                            
              H       H     H       CH.sub. 3                             
5.013                                                                     
     H        H       H     CH.sub.3                                      
                                    CH.sub.3                              
5.014                                                                     
     Cl       H       H     CH.sub.3                                      
                                    CH.sub.3                              
5.015                                                                     
     Cl       4&#39;-CH.sub.3                                                 
                      H     CH.sub.3                                      
                                    CH.sub.3                              
5.016                                                                     
     H        H       H     CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                             
                                    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                     
5.017                                                                     
     H        H       H     H       CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5              
5.018                                                                     
     H        H       H     CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                             
                                    H                                     
5.019                                                                     
     H        H       H     CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                            
                                    H                                     
5.020                                                                     
     Cl       H       H     CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                            
                                    H                                     
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     
                       TABLE 6                                                     
______________________________________                                    
 ##STR27##                     I.6                                        
                                          Phys.                           
No.  R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3                                              
                           X.sup.1                                        
                                X.sup.2   data                            
______________________________________                                    
6.001                                                                     
     H       H       H     H    H                                         
6.002                                                                     
     H       H       H     H    CH.sub.3                                  
6.003                                                                     
     Cl      H       H     H    C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                         
6.004                                                                     
     Cl      H       H     H    C.sub.6 H.sub.5                           
6.005                                                                     
     H       H       H     H    COOCH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                      
                                          mp. 86-                         
                                          88° C.                   
6.006                                                                     
     H       H       H     H    4-FC.sub.6 H.sub.4                        
                                          mp. 155-                        
                                          157° C.                  
6.007                                                                     
     H       H       H     H    C.sub.6 H.sub.5                           
                                          mp. 139-                        
                                          141° C.                  
6.008                                                                     
     H       H       H     H    C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                         
                                          mp. 81-                         
                                          83° C.                   
6.009                                                                     
     H       H       H     CH.sub.3                                       
                                C.sub.6 H.sub.5                           
                                          mp. 106-                        
                                          108° C.                  
6.010                                                                     
     Br      H       H     H    H                                         
6.011                                                                     
     CH.sub.3                                                             
             H       H     H    H                                         
6.012                                                                     
     CH.sub.3                                                             
             H       H     H    C.sub.6 H.sub.5                           
6.013                                                                     
     H       4&#39;-CH.sub.3                                                  
                     H     H    C.sub.6 H.sub.5                           
6.014                                                                     
     Cl      H       4-Cl  H    H                                         
6.015                                                                     
     Cl      H       4-Cl  H    C.sub.6 H.sub.5                           
6.016                                                                     
     CH.sub.3                                                             
             H       4-CH.sub.3                                           
                           H    H                                         
6.017                                                                     
     CH.sub.3                                                             
             H       4-CH.sub.3                                           
                           H    C.sub.6 H.sub.5                           
6.018                                                                     
     H       H       H     H    CH.sub.3                                  
6.019                                                                     
     H       H       H     H    CH.sub.2 Cl                               
6.020                                                                     
     Cl      H       H     H    CH.sub.2 Cl                               
6.021                                                                     
     CH.sub.3                                                             
             H       H     H    CH.sub.2 Cl                               
6.022                                                                     
     OCH.sub.3                                                            
             H       H     H    C.sub.6 H.sub.5                           
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     
                       TABLE 7                                                     
______________________________________                                    
 ##STR28##                     I.7                                        
No.   R.sup.1      R.sup.2  R.sup.3                                       
                                  Phys. data                              
______________________________________                                    
7.001 H            H        H     mp. &gt;200° C.                     
7.002 CH.sub.3     H        H                                             
7.003 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                   
                   H        H                                             
7.004                                                                     
       ##STR29##   H        H                                             
7.005 OCH.sub.3    H        H                                             
7.006 OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                  
                   H        H                                             
7.007 Cl           H        4-Cl                                          
7.008 Cl           H        H     mp. &gt;200° C.                     
7.009 H            4&#39;-CH.sub.3                                            
                            H                                             
7.010 Cl           4&#39;-CH.sub.3                                            
                            H                                             
7.011 H            H        4-CH.sub.3                                    
7.012 Br           H        H                                             
7.013 COOCH.sub.3  H        H                                             
7.014 Cl           4&#39;-Cl    4-Cl                                          
7.015 COOCH.sub.3  H        H                                             
7.016 COOCH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                
                   H        H                                             
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     
                                           TABLE 8                                 
__________________________________________________________________________
 ##STR30##                             I.8                                
No.                                                                       
   R.sup.1                                                                
       R.sup.2                                                            
           R.sup.3                                                        
               X.sup.1                                                    
                  X.sup.2                                                 
                        X.sup.3    Phys. data                             
__________________________________________________________________________
8.001                                                                     
   H   H   H   H  H     H          mp. 83° C.                      
8.002                                                                     
   CH.sub.3                                                               
       4&#39;-CH.sub.3                                                        
           H   H  H     H                                                 
8.003                                                                     
   Cl  H   H   H  H     H                                                 
8.004                                                                     
   Br  H   H   H  H     H                                                 
8.005                                                                     
   OCH.sub.3                                                              
       H   H   H  H     H                                                 
8.006                                                                     
   CH.sub.3                                                               
       H   4-CH.sub.3                                                     
               H  H     H                                                 
8.007                                                                     
   H   H   H   H  H     CH.sub.3                                          
8.008                                                                     
   H   H   H   H  CH.sub.3                                                
                        H                                                 
8.009                                                                     
   CH.sub.3                                                               
       H   H   H  H     CH.sub.2 Cl                                       
8.010                                                                     
   CH.sub.3                                                               
       H   H   H  H     CH.sub.2 OH                                       
8.011                                                                     
   CH.sub.3                                                               
       4&#39;-CH.sub.3                                                        
           H   H  H     H                                                 
8.012                                                                     
   H   H   H   H  H     CH(OCH.sub.3).sub.2                               
8.013                                                                     
   CH.sub.3                                                               
       H   H   H  H     CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                
8.014                                                                     
   H   H   H   H  H     CHNOCH.sub.3                                      
8.015                                                                     
   CH.sub.3                                                               
       H   H   H  H     CHNOCH.sub.3                                      
8.016                                                                     
   H   H   H   H  H     CHNOCH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                             
8.017                                                                     
   CH.sub.3                                                               
       H   H   H  H     CHNOCH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                             
8.018                                                                     
   CN  H   H   H  H     H                                                 
8.019                                                                     
   H   H   H   CH.sub.3                                                   
                  H     H                                                 
8.020                                                                     
   H   H   H   H  CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                      
                        H                                                 
__________________________________________________________________________
 
    
     
                                           TABLE 9                                 
__________________________________________________________________________
 ##STR31##                                                                
No.                                                                       
   R.sup.1                                                                
          R.sup.2                                                         
               R.sup.3                                                    
                    X.sup.1                                               
                        X.sup.2                                           
                            X.sup.3   X.sup.4                             
                                            Phys. data                    
__________________________________________________________________________
9.001                                                                     
   H      H    H    H   H   H         CH.sub.3                            
                                            mp. 47-48° C.          
9.002                                                                     
   H      H    H    H   H   H         CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                   
9.003                                                                     
   Cl     H    H    H   H   H         H                                   
9.004                                                                     
   CH.sub.3                                                               
          H    H    H   H   H         H                                   
9.005                                                                     
   Br     H    H    H   H   H         H                                   
9.006                                                                     
   OCH.sub.3                                                              
          H    H    H   H   H         H                                   
9.007                                                                     
   Cl     H    H    H   H   H         CH.sub.3                            
9.008                                                                     
   CH.sub.3                                                               
          H    H    H   H   H         CH.sub.3                            
9.009                                                                     
   Br     H    H    H   H   H         CH.sub.3                            
9.010                                                                     
   CH.sub.3                                                               
          H    H    H   H   H         CH.sub.3                            
9.011                                                                     
   H      H    H    H   H   CH.sub.3  CH.sub. 3                           
9.012                                                                     
   H      H    H    H   H   CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                             
                                      CH.sub.3                            
9.013                                                                     
   H      H    H    H   H   C.sub.6 H.sub.5                               
                                      H                                   
9.014                                                                     
   CH.sub.3                                                               
          H    H    H   H   CH.sub.3  H                                   
9.015                                                                     
   CH.sub.3                                                               
          H    H    H   H   CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                             
                                      H                                   
9.016                                                                     
   CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                      
          H    H    H   H   H         CH.sub.3                            
9.017                                                                     
   (CH.sub.2).sub.3 CH.sub.3                                              
          H    H    H   H   H         CH.sub.3                            
9.018                                                                     
   CH.sub.3                                                               
          H    H    CH.sub.3                                              
                        CH.sub.3                                          
                            H         H                                   
9.019                                                                     
   H      H    H    H   H   COOCH.sub.3                                   
                                      CH.sub.3                            
9.020                                                                     
   H      H    H    H   H   CHNOCH.sub.3                                  
                                      H                                   
9.021                                                                     
   H      4&#39;-CH.sub.3                                                     
               4-CH.sub.3                                                 
                    H   H   H         CH.sub.3                            
__________________________________________________________________________
 
    
     
                                           TABLE 10                                
__________________________________________________________________________
 ##STR32##                                                                
No. R.sup.1                                                               
           R.sup.2                                                        
                R.sup.3                                                   
                     X.sup.1                                              
                         X.sup.2                                          
                             X.sup.3                                      
                                 X.sup.4                                  
                                     Phys. data                           
__________________________________________________________________________
10.001                                                                    
    H      H    H    H   H   H   H   mp. 120° C.                   
10.002                                                                    
    H      H    H    H   H   H   Cl  mp. 121° C.                   
10.003                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
           H    H    H   H   H   H                                        
10.004                                                                    
    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                     
           H    H    H   H   H   H                                        
10.005                                                                    
    (CH.sub.2).sub.2 CH.sub.3                                             
           H    H    H   H   H   H                                        
10.006                                                                    
    OCH.sub.3                                                             
           H    H    H   H   H   H                                        
10.007                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
           H    H    H   H   H   CF.sub.3                                 
10.008                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
           H    H    H   H   H   Cl                                       
10.009                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
           H    H    H   Cl  CF.sub.3                                     
                                 H                                        
10.010                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
           H    H    H   H   H   F                                        
10.011                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
           H    H    H   H   Cl  H                                        
10.012                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
           H    H    H   CF.sub.3                                         
                             H   H                                        
10.013                                                                    
    H      H    H    H   CF.sub.3                                         
                             H   H                                        
10.014                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
           4&#39;-CH.sub.3                                                    
                H    H   H   H   H                                        
10.015                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
           H    4-CH.sub.3                                                
                     H   H   H   H                                        
10.016                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
           H    H    Cl  H   H   H                                        
10.017                                                                    
    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                     
           H    H    H   CF.sub.3                                         
                             H   H                                        
10.018                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
           H    H    CF.sub.3                                             
                         H   H   H                                        
10.019                                                                    
    H      H    H    CF.sub.3                                             
                         H   H   H                                        
10.020                                                                    
    OCH.sub.3                                                             
           H    H    CF.sub.3                                             
                         H   H   H                                        
10.021                                                                    
    OCH.sub.3                                                             
           H    H    H   CF.sub.3                                         
                             H   H                                        
10.022                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
           H    H    H   H   H   F                                        
10.023                                                                    
    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                     
           H    H    H   H   H   F                                        
10.024                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
           H    H    H   H   H   CH.sub.3                                 
10.025                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
           4&#39;-CH.sub.3                                                    
                H    H   CF.sub.3                                         
                             H   H                                        
10.026                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
           H    H    H   H   CH.sub.3                                     
                                 H                                        
10.027                                                                    
    H      H    H    CF.sub.3                                             
                         H   Cl  H                                        
10.028                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
           H    H    CF.sub.3                                             
                         H   Cl  H                                        
10.029                                                                    
    OCH.sub.3                                                             
           H    H    H   H   H   CF.sub.3                                 
10.030                                                                    
    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                     
           H    H    H   H   H   CF.sub.3                                 
10.031                                                                    
    (CH.sub.2).sub.2 CH.sub.3                                             
           H    H    H   H   H   CF.sub.3                                 
__________________________________________________________________________
 
    
     
                                           TABLE 11                                
__________________________________________________________________________
 ##STR33##                                                                
No. R.sup.1                                                               
          R.sup.2                                                         
               R.sup.3                                                    
                    X.sup.1  X.sup.2                                      
                                Phys. data                                
__________________________________________________________________________
11.001                                                                    
    H     H    H    CH.sub.3 H                                            
11.002                                                                    
    H     H    H    CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                    
                             H                                            
11.003                                                                    
    H     H    H    H        H                                            
11.004                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
          H    H    CH.sub.3 H                                            
11.005                                                                    
    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                     
          H    H    CH.sub.3 H                                            
11.006                                                                    
    Br    H    H    CH.sub.3 H                                            
11.007                                                                    
    Cl    H    H    CH.sub.3 H                                            
11.008                                                                    
    H     H    H    NH.sub.2 H  mp. 201-202° C.                    
11.009                                                                    
    Br    H    H    NH.sub.2 H  mp. 185-190° C.                    
11.010                                                                    
    Br    H    H    NHCOCH.sub.3                                          
                             H  mp. 231-232° C.                    
11.011                                                                    
    NO.sub.2                                                              
          H    H    NH.sub.2 H  mp. &gt;240°  C.                      
11.012                                                                    
    H     H    H    C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                       
                             H                                            
11.013                                                                    
    H     H    H    NHCH.sub.3                                            
                             H                                            
11.014                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
          H    H    NHCH.sub.3                                            
                             H                                            
11.015                                                                    
    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                     
          H    H    NHCH.sub.3                                            
                             H                                            
11.016                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
          H    H    NHCHO    H                                            
11.017                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
          H    H    NHCOCH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                 
                             H                                            
11.018                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
          4&#39;-CH.sub.3                                                     
               H    NH.sub.2 H                                            
11.019                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
          4&#39;-CH.sub.3                                                     
               4-CH.sub.3                                                 
                    CH.sub.3 H                                            
11.020                                                                    
    OCH.sub.3                                                             
          H    H    CH.sub.3 H                                            
11.021                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
          H    H    4-FC.sub.6 H.sub.4                                    
                             H                                            
__________________________________________________________________________
 
    
     
                       TABLE 12                                                    
______________________________________                                    
 ##STR34##                                                                
No.   R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3                                             
                          X.sup.3                                         
                                 X.sup.1                                  
                                      X.sup.2                             
                                           Phys. data                     
______________________________________                                    
12.001                                                                    
      H       H       H   CH.sub.3                                        
                                 H    H                                   
12.002                                                                    
      H       H       H   CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                               
                                 H    H                                   
12.003                                                                    
      H       H       H   CH.sub.3                                        
                                 H    C.sub.6 H.sub.5                     
12.004                                                                    
      Cl      H       H   CH.sub.3                                        
                                 H    H                                   
12.005                                                                    
      Br      H       H   CH.sub.3                                        
                                 H    H                                   
12.006                                                                    
      OCH.sub.3                                                           
              H       H   CH.sub.3                                        
                                 H    H                                   
12.007                                                                    
      Cl      H       H   H      H    H                                   
12.008                                                                    
      Br      H       H   H      H    H                                   
12.009                                                                    
      OCH.sub.3                                                           
              H       H   H      H    H                                   
12.010                                                                    
      CH.sub.3                                                            
              4&#39;-CH.sub.3                                                 
                      H   CH.sub.3                                        
                                 H    H                                   
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     
                                           TABLE 13                                
__________________________________________________________________________
 ##STR35##                                                                
No. R.sup.1 R.sup.2                                                       
                 R.sup.3                                                  
                      X.sup.1  X.sup.2                                    
                                    X.sup.3                               
                                         Phys. data                       
__________________________________________________________________________
13.001                                                                    
    H       H    H    COOCH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                
                               H    H    mp. 96-97° C.             
13.002                                                                    
    H       H    H    CONHC.sub.6 H.sub.5                                 
                                    H    mp. 309-310° C.           
13.003                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
            H    H    H        H    H    mp. 128-130° C.           
13.004                                                                    
    CH(OCH.sub.3).sub.2                                                   
            H    H    H        H    H    oil                              
13.005                                                                    
    H       H    H    CH.sub.3 H    H    mp. 145-148° C.           
13.006                                                                    
    H       H    H    H        OCH.sub.3                                  
                                    H    mp. 177°  C.              
13.007                                                                    
    H       H    H    H        Cl   H    mp. 140° C.               
13.008                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
            4&#39;-CH.sub.3                                                   
                 H    H        H    H                                     
13.009                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
            H    H    H        H    7&#34;-CH.sub.3                           
13.010                                                                    
    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                     
            H    H    H        H    H                                     
13.011                                                                    
    H       H    H    CF.sub.3 H    H                                     
13.012                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
            H    H    CF.sub.3 H    H                                     
13.013                                                                    
    Br      H    H    H        H    H                                     
13.014                                                                    
    Cl      H    H    H        H    H                                     
13.015                                                                    
    OCH.sub.3                                                             
            H    H    H        H    H                                     
13.016                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
            H    4-CH.sub.3                                               
                      H        H    H                                     
13.017                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
            H    H    H        Cl   H                                     
13.018                                                                    
    Br      H    H    CF.sub.3 H    H                                     
13.019                                                                    
    OCH.sub.3                                                             
            H    H    CF.sub.3 H    H                                     
13.020                                                                    
    H       H    H    H        H    H                                     
__________________________________________________________________________
 
    
     
                                           TABLE 14                                
__________________________________________________________________________
 ##STR36##                                      I.14                      
No.  R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3                                              
                          X.sup.1   X.sup.2                               
                                       X.sup.3                            
                                          Phys. data                      
__________________________________________________________________________
14.001                                                                    
     H       H       H    H         H  H  mp. 129-131° C.          
14.002                                                                    
     Cl      H       H    H         H  H                                  
14.003                                                                    
     CH.sub.3                                                             
             H       H    H         H  H  mp. 136° C.              
14.004                                                                    
     CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                    
             H       H    H         H  H                                  
14.005                                                                    
     Br      H       H    H         H  H                                  
14.006                                                                    
     H       H       H    Cl        H  H                                  
14.007                                                                    
     H       H       H    Cl        H  Cl                                 
14.008                                                                    
     H       H       H    CH.sub.3  H  H                                  
14.009                                                                    
     H       H       H    C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                 
                                    H  H                                  
14.010                                                                    
     H       H       H    C(CH.sub.3 ).sub.3                              
                                    H  H                                  
14.011                                                                    
     H       H       H    CH.sub.3  H  CH.sub.3                           
14.012                                                                    
     H       H       H    NO.sub.2  H  H                                  
14.013                                                                    
     H       H       H    NHCOCH.sub.3                                    
                                    H  H                                  
14.014                                                                    
     H       H       H    NHCOCH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                           
                                    H  H                                  
14.015                                                                    
     H       H       H    NHCHO     H  H                                  
14.016                                                                    
     H       H       H    CH(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                   
                                    H  H                                  
14.017                                                                    
     H       H       H    CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                              
                                    H  H                                  
14.018                                                                    
     Br      H       H    Cl        H  H                                  
14.019                                                                    
     Cl      H       H    Cl        H  H                                  
14.020                                                                    
     CH.sub.3                                                             
             H       H    Cl        H  H                                  
14.021                                                                    
     CH.sub.3                                                             
             4&#39;-CH.sub.3                                                  
                     H    H         H  H                                  
14.022                                                                    
     Cl      H       H    CH.sub.3  H  CH.sub.3                           
14.023                                                                    
     H       H       4-CH.sub.3                                           
                          H         H  H                                  
14.024                                                                    
     H       H       4-CH.sub.3                                           
                          Cl        H  H                                  
14.025                                                                    
     CH.sub.3                                                             
             4&#39;-CH.sub.3                                                  
                     H    Cl        H  H                                  
14.026                                                                    
     CH.sub.3                                                             
             H       H    H         H  H                                  
14.027                                                                    
     OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                   
             H       H    H         H  H                                  
14.028                                                                    
     OCH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                  
             H       H    H         H  H                                  
14.029                                                                    
     CO.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                    
             H       H    H         H  H                                  
14.030                                                                    
     H       H       H    CF.sub.3  H  H                                  
14.031                                                                    
     Cl      H       H    CF.sub.3  H  H                                  
14.032                                                                    
     H       H       H    H         H  CH.sub.3                           
14.033                                                                    
     Cl      H       H    C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                 
                                    H  H                                  
14.034                                                                    
     CH.sub.3                                                             
             H       H    CF.sub.3  H  H                                  
14.035                                                                    
     Br      H       H    CF.sub.3  H  H                                  
14.036                                                                    
     CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                    
             H       H    CF.sub.3  H  H                                  
14.037                                                                    
     H       4&#39;-CF.sub.3                                                  
                     H    H         H  H                                  
14.038                                                                    
     H       4&#39;-CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                        
                     H    H         H  H                                  
14.039                                                                    
     H       4&#39;-CHCH.sub.3                                                
                     H    H         H  H                                  
14.040                                                                    
     H       4&#39;-CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                        
                     H    Cl        H  H                                  
14.041                                                                    
     (CH.sub.2).sub.2 CH.sub.3                                            
             H       H    H         H  H                                  
14.042                                                                    
     (CH.sub.2).sub.2 CH.sub.3                                            
             H       H    Cl        H  H                                  
14.043                                                                    
     Cl      H       H    NO.sub.2  H  H                                  
14.044                                                                    
     H       H       H    OCH.sub.3 H  H                                  
14.045                                                                    
     Cl      H       H    OCH.sub.3 H  H                                  
__________________________________________________________________________
 
    
     
                                           TABLE 15                                
__________________________________________________________________________
 ##STR37##                                                                
No. R.sup.1                                                               
           R.sup.2                                                        
                R.sup.3                                                   
                     X.sup.1                                              
                         X.sup.2                                          
                             X.sup.3                                      
                               X.sup.4                                    
                                  Phys. data                              
__________________________________________________________________________
15.001                                                                    
    H      H    H    H   H   H H  mp. 167-170° C.                  
15.002                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
           H    H    H   H   H H  mp. 136-137° C.                  
15.003                                                                    
    Cl     H    H    H   H   H H                                          
15.004                                                                    
    Br     H    H    H   H   H H                                          
15.005                                                                    
    OCH.sub.3                                                             
           H    H    H   H   H H                                          
15.006                                                                    
    H      H    H    CH.sub.3                                             
                         CH.sub.3                                         
                             H H                                          
15.007                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
           4&#39;-CH.sub.3                                                    
                H    H   H   H H                                          
15.008                                                                    
    H      H    4-CH.sub.3                                                
                     H   H   H H                                          
15.009                                                                    
    H      H    H    CF.sub.3                                             
                         H   H H                                          
15.010                                                                    
    H      H    H    Cl  Cl  H H                                          
15.011                                                                    
    Cl     H    H    Cl  Cl  H H                                          
15.012                                                                    
    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                     
           H    H    H   H   H H                                          
15.013                                                                    
    OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                    
           H    H    H   H   H H                                          
__________________________________________________________________________
 
    
     
                                           TABLE 16                                
__________________________________________________________________________
 ##STR38##                                                                
No. R.sup.1                                                               
          R.sup.2                                                         
               R.sup.3                                                    
                    X.sup.4                                               
                        X.sup.1                                           
                            X.sup.2                                       
                                X.sup.3                                   
                                      Phys. data                          
__________________________________________________________________________
16.001                                                                    
    H     H    H    H   H   H   H     mp. 245-246° C.              
16.002                                                                    
    H     H    H    CH.sub.3                                              
                        H   H   H     mp. 165-170° C.              
16.003                                                                    
    H     H    H    CH.sub.3                                              
                        H   Cl  Cl                                        
16.004                                                                    
    H     H    H    CH.sub.3                                              
                        H   CH.sub.3                                      
                                CH.sub.3                                  
16.005                                                                    
    H     H    H    H   H   CH.sub.3                                      
                                CH.sub.3                                  
                                      mp. &gt;230° C.                 
16.006                                                                    
    H     H    H    H   CH.sub.3                                          
                            H   H                                         
16.007                                                                    
    H     H    H    H   H   H   OCH.sub.3                                 
16.008                                                                    
    H     H    H    H   H   H   OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                        
16.009                                                                    
    Cl    H    H    CH.sub.3                                              
                        H   H   H                                         
16.010                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
          H    H    CH.sub.3                                              
                        H   H   H                                         
16.011                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
          4&#39;-CH.sub.3                                                     
               4-CH.sub.3                                                 
                    CH.sub.3                                              
                        H   H   H                                         
16.012                                                                    
    CH.sub.3                                                              
          4&#39;-CH.sub.3                                                     
               H    H   H   H   H                                         
16.013                                                                    
    Cl    Cl   H    CH.sub.3                                              
                        H   H   H                                         
16.014                                                                    
    H     H    H    H   H   NO.sub.2                                      
                                H                                         
16.015                                                                    
    H     H    H    H   H   CH.sub.3                                      
                                H                                         
16.016                                                                    
    Cl    H    H    H   H   Cl  Cl                                        
16.017                                                                    
    OCH.sub.3                                                             
          H    H    CH.sub.3                                              
                        H   H   H                                         
16.018                                                                    
    Br    H    H    CH.sub.3                                              
                        H   H   H                                         
16.019                                                                    
    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                     
          H    H    CH.sub.3                                              
                        H   H   H                                         
16.020                                                                    
    CH.sub.2 Cl                                                           
          H    H    CH§                                              
                        H   H   H                                         
__________________________________________________________________________
 
    
     
         ______________________________________                                    
Active ingredient table:                                                  
 ##STR39##                                                                
No.    R.sup.1  R.sup.2  R.sup.3                                          
                             X.sub.n    Mp [°C.]                   
______________________________________                                    
17.001 CH.sub.3 H        H   H           94-95                            
17.002 H        H        H   3-CH.sub.3  70-72                            
17.003 Cl       H        H   H          128-132                           
17.004 Br       H        H   H          135-140                           
17.005 H        3&#39;-CH.sub.3                                               
                         H   H           69-71                            
17.006 H        H        H   4-Cl       165-167                           
17.007 Cl       H        H   4-Cl       145-147                           
17.008 H        3&#39;-CH.sub.3                                               
                         H   4-Cl        79-81                            
17.009 CH.sub.3 H        H   4-Cl       170-172                           
17.010 H        H        H   4-F        141-142                           
17.011 Cl       H        H   4-F        125-127                           
17.012 CH.sub.3 H        H   4-F        142-144                           
17.013 H        H        H   4-CH.sub.3 130-131                           
17.014 H        H        H   4-CF.sub.3 174-176                           
17.015 H        H        H   4-CH.sub.3 O                                 
                                        158-160                           
17.016 CH.sub.3 H        H   4-CH.sub.3 100-101                           
17.017 Br       H        H   H          128-130                           
17.018 CH.sub.3 H        H   4-CH.sub.3 O                                 
                                        160-162                           
17.019 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                  
                H        H   H           79-81                            
17.020 H        H        H   3-F, 4-F   140-142                           
17.021 CH.sub.3 H        H   3-Cl, 4-Cl 126-128                           
17.022 CH.sub.3 H        H   4-CF.sub.3 194-196                           
17.023 CH.sub.3 H        H   4-Br       177-179                           
17.024 H        H        H   3-Cl        98-100                           
17.025 H        H        H   4-CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                          
                                        112-113                           
17.026 H        H        H   4-C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                          
                                        102-104                           
17.027 H        H        H   3-CF.sub.3  90-92                            
17.028 H        H        H   3-OCF.sub.2 CHF.sub.2                        
                                         80-82                            
17.029 H        H        H   4-OCF.sub.2 CHF.sub.2                        
                                        144-146                           
17.030 H        H        H   4-OCFCF.sub.2                                
                                        136-138                           
17.031 Cl       H        H   4-CH.sub.3 145-147                           
17.032 Cl       H        H   4-CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                          
                                        143-145                           
17.033 CH.sub.3 H        H   3-Cl        98-99                            
17.034 CH.sub.3 H        H   4-OCHF.sub.2                                 
                                        171-172                           
17.035 CH.sub.3 H        H   4-OCF.sub.3                                  
                                        146-148                           
17.036 NO.sub.2 H        H   H          158-160                           
17.037 COCH.sub.3                                                         
                H        H   4-SCH.sub.3                                  
                                        144-149                           
17.038 COH      H        H   4-SCH.sub.3                                  
                                        145-148                           
17.039 CH.sub.3 H        H   3-Cl, 4-Cl 126-128                           
17.040 CH.sub.3 H        H   3-OCF.sub.2 CHF.sub.2                        
                                         96-98                            
17.041 CH.sub.3 H        H   4-SOCH.sub.3                                 
                                        171-179                           
17.042 CH.sub.3 H        H   4-OC.sub.6 H.sub.5                           
                                        126-128                           
17.043 CH.sub.3 H        H   NO.sub.2   155-157                           
17.044 CH.sub.3 H        H   4-(4-ClC.sub.6 H.sub.5)                      
17.045 SCH.sub.3                                                          
                H        H   H          119-120                           
17.046 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                  
                H        H   4-OCHF.sub.2                                 
                                        157-158                           
17.047 CH.sub.3 4&#39;-CH.sub.3                                               
                         H   H                                            
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     USE EXAMPLES 
     The herbicidal action of the bithienyl derivatives of the formula I on plant growth is demonstrated by the following greenhouse experiments: 
     The vessels employed were plastic flowerpots having a volume of 300 cm 3  and filled with a sandy loam containing about 3.0% humus. The seeds of the test plants were sown separately, according to species. 
     For the preemergence treatment, the formulated active ingredients were applied to the surface of the soil immediately after the seeds had been sown. The compounds were emulsified or suspended in water as vehicle, and sprayed through finely distributing nozzles. 
     After the agents had been applied, the vessels were lightly sprinkler-irrigated to induce germination and growth. Transparent plastic covers were then placed on the vessels until the plants had taken root. The cover ensured uniform germination of the plants, insofar as this was not impaired by the active ingredients. 
     For the postemergence treatment, the plants were grown, depending on growth form, to a height of 3 to 15 cm before being treated. In this treatment method, either plants which had been sown in the pots and grown there were selected, or they were cultivated separately as seedlings and transplanted to the pots a few days before being treated with the compounds suspended or emulsified in water. The application rates for postemergence treatment were 0.5 and 1.0 kg/ha. No covers were placed on the vessels in this method. 
     The pots were set up in the greenhouse, species from warmer climates in warmer areas (20° to 35° C.) and species from moderate climates at 10° to 25° C. The experiments were run for from 2 to 4 weeks. During this time the plants were tended and their reactions to the various treatments assessed. The assessment scale was 0 to 100, 100 denoting nonemergence or complete destruction of at least the visible plant parts, and 0 denoting no damage or normal growth. 
     The plants employed for the experiments were Abutilon theophrasti, Amaranthus retroflexus, Bromus inermis, Digitaria sanguinalis, Linum usitatissimum, Oryza sativa, Solanum nigrum, Stellaria media and Veronica spp. 
     Compounds 17.001 and 17.004, applied postemergence at a rate of 1.0 kg/ha, excellently combated unwanted broadleaved plants. 
     Compounds 1.001 and 1.002, applied postemergence at a rate of 0.5 kg/ha, excellently combated unwanted plants, and were well tolerated by rice. 
     Compound 2.002, applied postemergence at a rate of 1.0 kg/ha, had a herbicidal action on Amaranthus retroflexus and Digitaria sanguinalis.