This is a division of application Ser. No. 252,527 filed on Apr. 9, 1981, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,348,414.

The present invention relates to cyclobutanone oxime carbamates, to the production thereof and to the use thereof in pest control, as well as to the cyclobutanone oximes employed as intermediates.

The cyclobutanone oxime carbamates have the formula ##STR2## wherein n is 1 to 5 and X₁ is hydrogen, halogen, C₁ -C₄ alkoxy or C₁ -C₄ alkylthio.

Halogen in the above definition denotes fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine, with chlorine being preferred.

Alkoxy and alkylthio groups X₁ can be straight-chain or branched. Examples of such groups comprise: methoxy, methylthio, ethoxy, ethylthio, propoxy, propylthio, isopropoxy, isopropylthio, n-butoxy, n-butylthio.

Preferred compounds on account of their activity are those of the formula I, wherein n is 1 to 4 and X₁ is hydrogen, chlorine, methoxy, ethoxy or methylthio.

Particularly preferred compounds, however, are those of the formula II ##STR3## wherein X₁ ' is hydrogen, chlorine or methylthio, and X₂ is hydrogen or methyl.

The compounds of the formula I can be obtained by the following known method: ##STR4##

In formula III, n and X₁ are as defined for formula I. Suitable bases for this process are, in particular, tertiary amines such as trialkylamines, dialkyl anilines and pyridines.

The compounds of the formulae I to III can be in the form of different stereoisomers. Accordingly, the compounds of the formulae I, II and III will be understood as comprising both individual stereoisomers as well as mixtures of stereoisomers.

The process is carried out under normal pressure in a temperature range from -25° to 150° C., preferably from 0° to 100° C., and in a solvent or diluent.

Examples of suitable solvents or diluents are: ethers and ethereal compounds such as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, dioxane or tetrahydrofurane; aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene and xylenes; ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone or cyclohexanone; nitriles such as acetonitrile; esters such as ethyl acetate or butyl acetate; as well as dimethyl formamide, dimethyl sulfoxide and halogenated hydrocarbons. The starting materials of the formula III are novel, but can be prepared by known methods (cf. Example 1).

The compounds of the formula I are suitable for controlling pests of animals and plants. They have e.g. an advantageous action against phytopathogenic microorganisms and nematodes. In particular, however, the compounds of the formula I are suitable for controlling all development stages of insects, for example of the order Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Homoptera, Heteroptera, Diptera, Thysanoptera, Orthoptera, Anoplura, Siphonaptera, Mallophaga, Thysanura, Isoptera, Psocoptera and Hymenoptera, and also mites and ticks of the order Acarina.

Most particularly, the compounds of the formula I are suitable for controlling plant-destructive insects, especially feeding insects and sucking insects, in ornamentals and crops of useful plants, particularly in cotton (e.g. Anthonomus grandis) and vegetables (e.g. Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Aphis craccivora and Myzus persicae). In addition, the compounds of the formula I have a broad ovicidal and ovilarvicidal action.

The compounds of the formula I are used in unmodified form or preferably together with the adjuvants conventionally employed in the art of formulation, and are therefore formulated in known manner to emulsifiable concentrates, directly sprayable or dilutable solutions, dilute emulsions, wettable powders, soluble powders, dusts, granulates, and also encapsulations in e.g. polymer substances. The methods of application, such as spraying, atomising, dusting, scattering or pouring, are chosen in accordance with the intended objectives and the prevailing circumstances, just like the nature of the compositions.

The formulations, i.e. the compositions or preparations containing the compound (active ingredient) of the formula I and, where appropriate, a solid or liquid adjuvant, are prepared in known manner, e.g. by homogeneously mixing and/or grinding the active ingredients with extenders, e.g. solvents, solid carriers and, where appropriate, surfactants.

Suitable solvents are: aromatic hydrocarbons, preferably the fractions containing 7 to 12 carbon atoms, e.g. toluene, xylene mixtures or substituted naphthalenes, phthalates such as dibutyl phthalate or dioctyl phthalate, aliphatic hydrocarbons such as cyclohexane or paraffins, alcohols and glycols and their ethers and esters, such as ethanol, ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol monomethyl or monoethyl ether, ketones such as cyclohexanone, strongly polar solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dimethyl sulfoxide or dimethyl formamide, as well as epoxidised vegetable oils such as epoxidised coconut oil or soybean oil; or water.

The solid carriers used e.g. for dusts and dispersible powders, are normally natural mineral fillers, such as calcite, talcum, kaolin, montmorillonite or attapulgite. In order to improve the physical properties it is also possible to add highly dispersed silicic acid or highly dispersed absorbent polymers. Suitable granulated adsorptive carriers are porous types, for example pumice, broken brick, sepiolite or bentonite; and suitable nonsorbent carriers are materials such as calcite or sand. In addition, a great number of pregranulated materials of inorganic or organic nature can be used, e.g. especially dolomite or pulverised plant residues.

Depending on the polarity of the active ingredient of the formula I to be formulated, suitable surface-active compounds are nonionic, cationic and/or anionic surfactants having good emulsifying, dispersing and wetting properties. The term "surfactants" will also be understood as comprising surfactant mixtures.

Suitable anionic surfactants can be both water-soluble soaps and water-soluble synthetic surface-active compounds.

Suitable soaps are the alkali, alkaline earth or unsubstituted or substituted ammonium salts of higher fatty acids (C₁₀ -C₂₂), e.g. the sodium or potassium salts of oleic or stearic acid, or of natural fatty acid mixtures which can be obtained e.g. from coconut oil or tallow oil. Mention may also be made of fatty acid methyltaurin salts.

More frequently, however, so-called synthetic surfactants are used, especially fatty sulfonates, fatty sulfates, sulfonated benzimidazole derivatives or alkylarylsulfonates.

The fatty sulfonates or sulfates are usually in the form of alkali, alkaline earth or unsubstituted or substituted ammonium salts and contain a C₈ -C₂₂ alkyl radical which also includes the alkyl moiety of acyl radicals, e.g. the sodium or calcium salt of lignosulfonic acid, of dodecylsulfate or of a mixture of fatty alcohol sulfates obtained from natural fatty acids. These compounds also comprise the salts of sulfuric acid esters and sulfonic acids of fatty alcohol/ethylene oxide adducts. The sulfonated benzimidazole derivatives preferably contain 2 sulfonic acid groups and one fatty acid radical containing 8 to 22 carbon atoms. Examples of alkylarylsulfonates are the sodium, calcium or triethanolamine salts of dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, dibutylnaphthalenesulfonic acid, or of a naphthalenesulfonic acid/formaldehyde condensation product. Also suitable are corresponding phosphates, e.g. salts of the phosphoric acid ester of an adduct of p-nonyphenol with 4 to 14 moles of ethylene oxide.

Non-ionic surfactants are preferably polyglycol ether derivatives of aliphatic or cycloaliphatic alcohols, or saturated or unsaturated fatty acids and alkylphenols, said derivatives containing 3 to 30 glycol ether groups and 8 to 20 carbon atoms in the (aliphatic) hydrocarbon moiety and 6 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety of the alkylphenols.

Further suitable non-ionic surfactants are the water-soluble adducts of polyethylene oxide with polypropylene glycol, ethylene-diaminopropylene glycol and alkylpolypropylene glycol containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, which adducts contain 20 to 250 ethylene glycol ether groups and 10 to 100 propylene glycol ether groups. These compounds usually contain 1 to 5 ethylene glycol units per propylene glycol unit.

Representative examples of non-ionic surfactants are nonylphenol-polyethoxyethanols, castor oil polyglycol ethers, polypropylene/polyoxyethylene adducts, tributylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol, polyethylene glycol and octylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol. Fatty acid esters of polyoxyethylene sorbitan and polyoxyethylene sorbitan trioleate are also suitable non-ionic surfactants.

Cationic surfactants are preferably quaternary ammonium salts which contain, as N-substituent, at least one C₈ -C₂₂ alkyl radical and, as further substituents, lower unsubstituted or halogenated alkyl, benzyl or lower hydroxyalkyl radicals. The salts are preferably in the form of halides, methylsulfates or ethylsulfates, e.g. stearyltrimethylammonium chloride or benzyldi(2-chloroethyl)ethylammonium bromide.

The surfactants customarily employed in the art of formulation are described e.g. in "McCutcheon's Detergents and Emulsifiers Annual", MC Publishing Corp., Ringwood, N.J., 1979.

The pesticidal formulations usually contain 0.1 to 99%, preferably 0.1 to 95%, of a compound of the formula I, 1 to 99% of a solid or liquid adjuvant, and 0 to 25%, preferably 0.1 to 25%, of a surfactant.

Whereas commercial products are preferably formulated as concentrates, the end user will normally employ dilute formulations.

The formulations can also contain further additives such as stabilisers, antifoams, viscosity regulators, binders, adhesives, as well as fertilisers, in order to attain special effects.

The compounds (active ingredients) of the formula I can be formulated e.g. as follows (throughout, percentages are by weight):

______________________________________Formulation Examples for liquid active ingredients of theformula I1.    Emulsifiable concentrates______________________________________(a)     active ingredient       20%   calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate                            5%   castor oil polyethylene glycol ether                            5%   (36 moles of ethylene oxide)   xylene mixture          70%;(b)     active ingredient       40%   calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate                            8%   tributylphenol polyethylene glycol                           12%   ether (30 moles of ethylene oxide)   cyclohexanone           15%   xylene mixture          25%;(c)     active ingredient       50%   tributylphenol polyethylene glycol                            4.2%   ether   calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate                            5.8%   cyclohexanone           20%   xylene mixture          20%.______________________________________

Emulsions of any required concentration can be produced from such concentrates by dilution with water.

______________________________________2.    Solutions______________________________________(a)     active ingredient       80%   ethylene glycol monomethyl ether                           20%;(b)     active ingredient       10%   polyethylene glycol 400 70%   N--methyl-2-pyrrolidone 20%;(c)     active ingredient        5%   epoxidised vegetable oil                            1%   ligroin (boiling range 160-190° C.)                           94%;(d)     active ingredient       95%   epoxidised vegetable oil                            5%.______________________________________

These solutions are suitable for application in the form of microdrops.

______________________________________3.      Granulates______________________________________(a)       active ingredient    5%     kaolin              94%     highly dispersed silicic acid                          1%(b)       active ingredient   10%     attapulgite         90%.______________________________________

The active ingredient is dissolved in methylene chloride, the solution is sprayed onto the carrier, and the solvent is subsequently evaporated off in vacuo.

______________________________________4.      Dusts______________________________________(a)       active ingredient    2%     highly dispersed silicic acid                          1%     talcum              97%(b)       active ingredient    5%     highly dispersed silicic acid                          5%     kaolin              90%.______________________________________

Dusts which are ready for use are obtained by intimately mixing the carriers with the active ingredient.

______________________________________Formulation examples for solid active ingredients of theformula I5.    Wettable powders______________________________________(a)     active ingredient       20%   sodium lignosulfonate    5%   sodium laurylsulfate     3%   highly dispersed silicic acid                            5%   kaolin                  67%(b)     active ingredient       60%   sodium lignosulfonate    5%   sodium diisobutylnaphthalene-                            6%   sulfonate   octylphenol polyethylene glycol                            2%   ether (7-8 moles of ethylene oxide)   highly dispersed silicic acid                           27%.______________________________________

The active ingredient is thoroughly mixed with the adjuvants and the mixture is thoroughly ground in a suitable mill, affording wettable powders which can be diluted with water to give suspensions of the desired concentration.

______________________________________6. Emulsifiable concentrate______________________________________active ingredient           10%octylphenol polyethylene glycol                        3%ether (4-5 moles of ethylene oxide)calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate                        3%castor oil polyglycol ether  4%(36 moles of ethylene oxide)cyclohexanone               30%xylene mixture              50%.______________________________________

Emulsions of any required concentration can be obtained from this concentrate by dilution with water.

______________________________________7.       Dusts______________________________________  (a) active ingredient  5%      talcum            95%  (b) active ingredient  8%      kaolin            92%.______________________________________

Dusts which are ready for use are obtained by mixing the active ingredient with the carriers, and grinding the mixture in a suitable mill.

______________________________________8. Extruder granulate______________________________________   active ingredient 10%   sodium lignosulfonate                      2%   carboxymethylcellulose                      1%   kaolin            87%.______________________________________

The active ingredient is mixed and ground with the adjuvants, and the mixture is subsequently moistened with water. The mixture is extruded and then dried in a stream of air.

______________________________________9. Coated granulate______________________________________   active ingredient  3%   polyethylene glycol 200                      3%   kaolin            94%.______________________________________

The finely ground active ingredient is uniformly applied, in a mixer, to the kaolin moistened with polyethylene glycol. Non-dusty coated granulates are obtained in this manner.

______________________________________10. Suspension concentrate______________________________________active ingredient           40%ethylene glycol             10%nonylphenol polyethylene glycol ether                        6%(15 moles of ethylene oxide)sodium lignosulfonate       10%carboxymethylcellulose       1%37% aqueous formaldehyde solution                        0.2%silicone oil in the form of a 75%                        0.8%aqueous emulsionwater                       32%.______________________________________

The finely ground active ingredient is intimately mixed with the adjuvants, giving a suspension concentrate from which suspensions of any desired concentration can be obtained by dilution with water.

Example 1: Preparation of 2-methylthio-3,3-dimethylcyclobutanone-oxime-N-methylcarbamate

(a) Preparation of 2-chloro-3-dimethylcyclobutanone oxime:

A solution of 38.2 g of hydroxylamine hydrochloride in 150 ml of hot methanol is added to a solution of 33 g of 85% potassium hydroxide in 75 ml of hot methanol. The mixture is cooled and the potassium chloride is removed by filtration and 66.25 g of 2-chloro-3-dimethylbutanone are then added dropwise at 10°-25° C. After 2 hours the solvent is evaporated and the residue is recrystallised from methylene chloride/hexane (1:1), affording the compound of the formula ##STR5## with a melting point of 64°-68° C.

The following oximes are prepared in similar manner: ##STR6##

(b) Preparation of 2-methylthio-3,3-dimethylcyclobutanone oxime:

5.6 g of methylmercaptan are introduced at -10° C. into a solution of 5.7 g of sodium methylate in 100 ml of methanol and then a solution of 15.7 g of 2-chloro-3-dimethylcyclobutanone oxime in 50 ml of methanol is added dropwise at 0° C. The mixture is stirred for 3 hours and the precipitated salt is isolated by filtration, a portion of the methanol is evaporated off and 100 ml of water are added. After extraction with 100 ml of methylene chloride the methylene chloride phase is washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated. The crude product is purified by chromatography with ether/hexane (1:1) as eluant, affording the compound of the formula ##STR7## which can be reacted to the oxime carbamate without further purification.

(c) Preparation of the final product:

4.5 g of methyl isocyanate and 3 drops of triethylamine are added at 20° C. to 9.6 g of crude 2-methylthio-3,3-dimethylbutanone oxime in 100 ml of acetone. The reaction mixture is kept for 12 hours at 70° C. The solvent and excess methyl isocyanate are removed and the crude product is chromatographed with ether/hexane (1:3) as eluant, affording the compound of the formula ##STR8## with a refractive index of n_D ²⁰ =1.5188.

The following compounds are obtained in similar manner: ##STR9##

Example 2: Action against Spodoptera littoralis and Heliothis virescens (larvae and eggs)

Three cotton plants having a height of about 15-20 cm and reared in pots were treated with a sprayable liquid preparation of the compound to be tested. After the spray coating had dried, the potted plants were placed in a metal container having a capacity of about 20 liters and covered with a glass plate. The humidity in the interior of the covered container was regulated such that no water of condensation formed. Direct light falling on the plants was avoided. The three plants were then infested with two egg deposits of Spodoptera littoralis or Heliothis virescens. Two leaves of each plant were put into a plexiglass cylinder sealed at both ends with muslin. Two egg deposits of Spodoptera or a part of a cotton leaf with eggs of Heliothis deposited thereon were added to the leaves sealed in the cylinder.

Evaluation in comparison to untreated controls was made after 4 to 5 days by determining the hatching rate (number of larvae hatched from the eggs). The compounds of Example 1 exhibited a good ovilarvicidal action in the above test.

Example 3: Systemic insecticidal action against Aphis fabae

To determine the systemic action, bean plants (Vicia fabia) which had grown roots were put into a 0.01% aqueous solution of active ingredient (obtained from a 10% emulsifiable concentrate). Twenty four hours later, the parts of the plants above the soil were populated with aphids (Aphis fabae). By means of a special device the aphids were protected from any possible contact with the test compound either directly or via the gas phase. The test was carried out at 24° C. and 70% relative humidity.

In this test, the compounds of Example 1 exhibited a systemic insecticidal action against Aphis fabae.

Example 4: Insecticidal contact action against Aphis craccivora and Mycus persicae

Before the start of the test, plants (Vicia faba) reared in pots were each populated with about 200 insects of the species Aphis craccivora or Myzus persicae. The treated plants were sprayed 24 hours later dripping wet with a solution containing 200 or 100 ppm of the compound to be tested. Two plants were used for each test compound at its given concentration, and a mortality count was made after a further 24 hours.

In the above test the compounds of Example 1 exhibited a positive action against insects of the species Aphis craccivora and Myzus persicae.

Example 5: Insecticidal stomach poison and contact action against Anthonomus grandis, Heliothis virescens and Spodoptera littoralis

Cotton plants were sprayed with an aqueous emulsion containing 0.05% of the compound to be tested (obtained from a 25% wettable powder). After the spray coating had dried, the plants were populated with adults and larvae of the species

(a) Anthonomus grandis (adults)

(b) Heliothis virescens (larvae: L3/L4 Instar); or

(c) Spodoptera littoralis (larvae: L3 Instar).

Two plants were used for each test compound and test species, and a mortality count was made 2, 4 and 48 hours respectively after the start of the test. The test was carried out at 24° C. and 60% relative humidity.

In the above test the compounds of the formula I were very effective against insects of the above species.

__________________________________________________________________________             minimum concentration in ppm to achieve 100% kill oftest compounds    Aphis craccivora                     Myzus persicae                             Spodoptera littoralis__________________________________________________________________________                             (eggs) ##STR10##        100     100     200 ##STR11##        200     200     400 ##STR12##        100     100     200 ##STR13##        200     200     200 ##STR14##        200     200     200 ##STR15##        200     200     400 ##STR16##        100     200     200 ##STR17##        100     100     200__________________________________________________________________________