Herbicidal cyclohexane-1,3-dione derivatives

Claim 2

A compound of formula I wherein: W, which may be the same or different, are selected from the group consisting of: the groups R 5 CO- and R S CS- wherein R 5 is selected from the group consisting of: C 2 to C 6 alkenyl; C 2 to C 6 alkynyl; benzyl; phenyl; the groups C l to C 6 alkyl, C2 to C6 alkenyl, C2 to C 6 alkynyl, benzyl and phenyl wherein each group is substituted with from one to three substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, C l to C 6 alkoxy, C 1 to C 6 alkylthio, carboxy, (C l to C 6 alkoxy) carbonyl, C 2 to C 6 alkanoyl, amino, N-(C 1 to C 6 alkyl)amino, and N,N-di(C 1 to C 6 alkyl)amino; and the acetal, hemiacetal, oxime, imine and Schiff base derivatives of the group R5-CO-; the groups Y-CO- and Y-CS- wherein Y is selected from hydroxy, mercapto, C 1 to C 6 alkylthio and the group MO- and MS- wherein M is an organic or an inorganic cation; and the groups R 6 R 7 NCO- and R 6 R 7 NCS- wherein R 6 and R 7 are independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen; C 1 to C 6 alkyl; substituted C 1 to C 6 alkyl wherein the alkyl group is substituted with from one to three substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, halogen, C 1 to C 6 alkoxy and phenyl; C 1 to C 6 alkanoyl; carboxy; (C l to C 6 alkoxy)carbonyl; C 1 to C 6 alkylsulfonyl; benzoyl; benzenesulfonyl; the groups substituted benzoyl and substituted benzenesulfonyl wherein in each group the benzene ring is substituted with from one to three substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, C 1 to C 6 alkoxy, C l to C 6 alkylthio, (C l to C 6 alkoxy)carbonyl, C 2 to C 6 alkanoyl, amino, N-(C 1 to C 6 alkyl)amino and N,N-di(C l to C 6 alkyl)amino; or R 6 and R 7 together form a 5 to 7 membered heterocyclic ring; X, which may be the same or different, are independently selected from the group consisting of: halogen; nitro; cyano; C 1 to C 6 alkyl; C 1 to C 6 alkyl substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of hal- gen, nitro, hydroxy, C 1 to C 6 alkoxy and C 1 to C 6 alkylthio; C 2 to C 6 alkenyl; C 2 to C 6 alkynyl; hydroxy; C 1 to C 6 alkoxy; C 1 to C 6 alkoxy substituted with a substi- uent selected from halogen and C 1 to C 6 alkoxy; C 2 to C 6 alkenyloxy; C 2 to C 6 alkynyloxy; C2 to C6 alkanoyloxy; (C l to C 6 alkoxy)carbonyl; C 1 to C 6 alkylthio; C 1 to C 6 alkylsulfinyl; C 1 to C 6 alkylsulfonyl; sulfamoyl; N-(C 1 to C 6 alkyl)sulfamoyl;-N,N-di(C 1 to C 6 alkyl)-sulfamoyl; benzyloxy; substituted benzyloxy wherein the benzene ring is substituted with from one to three substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, C 1 to C 6 alkyl, C 1 to C 6 alkoxy and C 1 to C 6 haloalkyl; the group N R 8 R 9 wherein R 8 and R 9 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C 1 to C 6 alkyl, C 2 to C 6 alkanoyl, benzoyl and benzyl; the groups formyl and C 2 to C 6 alkanoyl and the oxime, imine and Schiff base derivatives thereof; R 1 is selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen; C 1 to C 6 alkyl; C 2 to C 6 alkenyl; C 2 to C 6 alkynyl; substituted C 1 to C 6 alkyl wherein the alkyl group is substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of C 1 to C 6 alkoxy, C 1 to C 6 alkylthio, phenyl and substituted phenyl wherein the benzene ring is substituted with from one to three substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C 1 to C 6 alkyl, C 1 to C 6 haloalkyl, C 1 to C 6 alkoxy and C l to C 6 alkylthio; C 1 to C 6 alkyl sulfonyl ; benzenesulfonyl; substituted benzenesulfonyl wherein the benzene ring is substituted with from one to three substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C l to C 6 alkyl, C 1 to C 6 haloalkyl, C 1 to C 6 alkoxy and C 1 to C 6 alkylthio; an acyl group; and an inorganic or organic cation; R 2 is selected from the group consisting of: C 1 to C 6 alkyl; C 2 to C 6 alkenyl; C 2 to C 6 haloalkenyl; C 2 to C 6 alkynyl; C 2 to C 6 haloalkynyl; substituted C 1 to C 6 alkyl wherein the alkyl group is substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, C 1 to C 6 alkoxy, C 1 to C 6 alkylthio, phenyl and substituted phenyl wherein the benzene ring is substituted with from one to three substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C 1 to C 6 alkyl, C 1 to C 6 haloalkyl, C 1 to C 6 alkoxy and C 1 to C 6 alkylthio; R 3 is selected from the group consisting of: C 1 to C 6 alkyl; C 1 to C 6 fluoroalkyl; C 2 to C 6 alkenyl; C 2 to C 6 alkynyl; and phenyl; R 4 is selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen; halogen; cyano; C 1 to C 6 alkyl; and (C l to C 6 alkoxy)-carbonyl; m is selected from the integers 1 and 2; n is selected from the integers 1 to 4; and m + n is selected from the integers 3 to 5.

Claim 3

A compound according to claim 1 wherein: W, which may be the same or different, are selected from the group consisting of: the group R 5- CO- wherein: R 5 is selected from the group consisting of: C2 to C6 alkenyl; C 2 to C 6 alkynyl; phenyl; the groups C 1 to C 6 alkyl, C 2 to C 6 alkenyl, C 2 to C 6 alkynyl and phenyl wherein each group is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, C 1 to C 6 alkoxy, C 1 to C 6 alkylthio, (C l to C 6 alkoxy)carbonyl, amino, N-(C 1 to C 6 alkyl)amino, and N,N-di(C l to C 6 alkyl)amino; and the acetal, hemiacetal, oxime, imine and Schiff base derivatives of the group R 5 -CO-; the group Y-CO- wherein Y is selected from hydroxy, mercapto, C 1 to C 6 alkylthio and the group MO- and MS- wherein M is an organic or an inorganic cation; the group R 6 R 7 NCo- wherein R 6 and R 7 are independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, C 1 to C 6 alkyl; and substituted C 1 to C6 alkyl wherein the alkyl group is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, halogen, C 1 to C 6 alkoxy and phenyl.

Claim 4

A compound according to claim 1 wherein: W, which may be the same or different, are selected from the group consisting of: the groups R 5 CO- and R 5 CS- wherein R 5 is selected from the group consisting of: C 2 to C 6 alkenyl; C 2 to C 6 alkynyl; benzyl; phenyl; the groups C l to C 6 alkyl, C 2 to C 6 alkenyl, C 2 to C 6 alkynyl, benzyl and phenyl wherein each group is substituted with from one to three substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, C 1 to C 6 alkoxy, C l to C 6 alkylthio, carboxy, (C l to C 6 alkoxy) carbonyl, C 2 to C 6 alkanoyl, amino, N-(C l to C 6 alkyl)amino, and N,N-di(C 1 to C 6 alkyl)amino; and groups of the formula -C(R 5 )=NR 11 wherein Rll is chosen from hydrogen, C 1 to C 6 alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, hydroxy, C 1 to C 6 alkoxy, phenoxy and benzyloxy; the groups Y-CO- and Y-CS- wherein Y is selected from hydroxy, mercapto, C 1 to C 6 alkylthio and the group MO- and MS- wherein M is an organic or an inorganic cation; and the groups R6R7NCO- and R 6R7 N C S - wherein R 6 and R 7 are independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen; C 1 to C 6 alkyl; substituted C 1 to C 6 alkyl wherein the alkyl group is substituted with from one to three substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, halogen, C 1 to C 6 alkoxy and phenyl; C l to C 6 alkanoyl; carboxy; (C l to C 6 alkoxy)carbonyl; C 1 to C 6 alkylsulfonyl; benzoyl; benzenesulfonyl; the groups substituted benzoyl and substituted benzenesulfonyl wherein in each group the benzene ring is substituted with from one to three substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, C 1 to C 6 alkoxy, C 1 to C 6 alkylthio, (C 1 to C 6 alkoxy)carbonyl, C 2 to C 6 alkanoyl, amino, N-(C 1 to C 6 alkyl)amino and N,N-di(C l to C 6 alkyl)amino; or R 6 and R 7 together form a 5 to 7 membered heterocyclic ring; X, which may be the same or different, are independently selected from the group consisting of: halogen; nitro; cyano; C 1 to C 6 alkyl; C l to C 6 alkyl substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, hydroxy, C 1 to C 6 alkoxy and C 1 to C 6 alkylthio; C 2 to C 6 alkenyl; C 2 to C 6 alkynyl; hydroxy; C 1 to C 6 alkoxy; C 1 to C 6 alkoxy substituted with a substituent selected from halogen and C 1 to C 6 alkoxy; C 2 to C 6 alkenyloxy; C 2 to C 6 alkynyloxy; C 2 to C 6 alkanoyloxy; (C 1 to C 6 alkoxy)carbonyl; C 1 to C 6 alkylthio; C 1 to C 6 alkylsulfinyl; C 1 to C 6 alkylsulfonyl; sulfamoyl; N-(C 1 to C 6 alkyl)sulfamoyl; N,N-di(C 1 to C 6 alkyl)sulfamoyl; benzyloxy; substituted benzyloxy wherein the benzene ring is substituted with from one to three substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, C 1 to C 6 alkyl, C 1 to C 6 alkoxy and C 1 to C 6 haloalkyl; the group NR 8 R 9 wherein R 8 and R 9 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C 1 to C 6 alkyl, C 2 to C 6 alkanoyl, benzoyl and benzyl; the groups formyl and C 2 to C 6 alkanoyl; and the group of the formula -C(R 10 =NR 11 wherein R 10 is chosen from hydrogen and C 1 to C 5 alkyl, and R 11 is chosen from hydrogen, C 1 to C 6 alkyl, phenyl, benzyl,-hydroxy, C 1 to C 6 alkoxy, phenoxy and benzyloxy; Rl is selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen; C 1 to C 6 alkyl; C 2 to C 6 alkenyl; C 2 to C 6 alkynyl; substituted C 1 to C 6 alkyl wherein the alkyl group is substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of C 1 to C 6 alkoxy, C 1 to C 6 alkylthio, phenyl and substituted phenyl wherein the benzene ring is substituted with from one to three substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C l to C 6 alkyl, C 1 to C 6 haloalkyl, C 1 to C 6 alkoxy and C 1 to C 6 alkylthio; C 1 to C 6 alkylsulfonyl; benzenesulfonyl; substituted benzenesulfonyl wherein the benzene ring is substituted with from one to three substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C 1 to C 6 alkyl, C l to C 6 haloalkyl, C 1 to C 6 alkoxy and C 1 to C 6 alkylthio; C 2 to C 6 alkanoyl; benzoyl, substituted benzoyl wherein the benzene ring is substituted with from one to three substituents chosen from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C 1 to C 6 alkyl, C 1 to C 6 haloalkyl, C 1 to C 6 alkoxy and C 1 to C 6 alkylthio; 2- furoyl; 3-furoyl; 2-thenoyl; 3-thenoyl; and an organic or inorganic cation selected from the alkali metal ions, the alkaline earth metal ions, the transition metal ions and the ammonium ion R 12 R 13 R 14 R 15 N + wherein R 12 , R 13 , R 14 and R 15 are independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen; C 1 to C 10 alkyl; substituted C 1 to C 10 alkyl wherein the alkyl group is substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, halogen and C 1 to C 6 alkoxy; phenyl; benzyl; and the groups substituted phenyl and substituted benzyl wherein the benzene ring is substituted with from one to three substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C 1 to C 6 alkyl, C 1 to C 6 haloalkyl, C 1 to C 6 alkoxy and C 1 to C 6 alkylthio; R 2 is selected from the group consisting of: C 1 to C 6 alkyl; C 2 to C 6 alkenyl; C 2 to C 6 haloalkenyl; C 2 to C 6 alkynyl; C 2 to C 6 haloalkynyl; substituted C l to C 6 alkyl wherein the alkyl group is substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, C l to C 6 alkoxy, C 1 to C 6 alkylthio, phenyl and substituted phenyl wherein the benzene ring is substituted with from one to three substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C 1 to C 6 alkyl, C 1 to C 6 haloalkyl, C 1 to C 6 alkoxy and C 1 to C 6 alkylthio; R 3 is selected from the group consisting of: C 1 to C 6 alkyl; C 1 to C 6 fluoroalkyl; C 2 to C 6 alkenyl; C 2 to C 6 alkynyl; and phenyl; R 4 is selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen; halogen; cyano; C 1 to C 6 alkyl; and (C 1 to C 6 alkoxy)-carbonyl; m is selected from the integers 1 and 2; n is selected from the integers 1 to 4; and m + n is selected from the integers 3 to 5.

Claim 5

A compound according to claim 1 or claim 3 wherein: W, which may be the same or different, are selected from the group consisting of: the groups R S CO- and R 5 CS- wherein R 5 is selected from the group consisting of: C 2 to C 6 alkenyl; benzyl; phenyl; and the groups C 1 to C 6 alkyl, benzyl and phenyl wherein each group is substituted with from one to three substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, C 1 to C 6 alkoxy, C l to C 6 alkylthio, carboxy, (C 1 to C 6 -alkoxy)carbonyl and C 2 to C 6 alkanoyl; the group YCO- and YCS- wherein Y is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, mercapto and C 1 to C 6 alkylthio; and the groups R 6 R 7 NCO- and R 6 R 7 NCS- wherein R 6 and R 7 are independently selected from the group consisting of; hydrogen; C 1 to C 6 alkyl; C 1 to C 6 alkanoyl; carboxy; (C l to C 6 alkoxy)carbonyl; C 1 to C 6 alkylsulfonyl; benzoyl; benzenesulfonyl; or the group R6 R 7N is a 5 to 7 membered heterocyclic ring selected from piperidine, morpholine and pyrrolidine; X , which may be the same or different, are independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, C 1 to C 6 alkyl, C l to C 6 haloalkyl, C 1 to C 6 alkoxy, C 1 to C 6 alkylthio, formyl, C 2 to C 6 alkanoyl, and the group of the formula -C(R 10 )=NR 11 wherein R 10 is selected from hydrogen and C 1 to C 5 alkyl and R 11 is selected from hydroxy and C 1 to C 6 alkoxy; R 1 is selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen; C 2 to C 6 alkanoyl; benzoyl and substituted benzoyl wherein the benzene ring is substituted with from one to three substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, C 1 to C 6 alkyl and C 1 to C 6 alkoxy; benzenesulfonyl and substituted benzenesulfonyl wherein the benzene ring is substituted with from one to three substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, C 1 to C 6 alkyl and C 1 C 6 alkoxy; and an inorganic or an organic cation selected from the alkali metals, the alkaline earth metals the transition metals the ammonium ion and the tri- and tetra(alkyl)ammonium ions wherein alkyl is selected from C 1 to C 6 alkyl and C 1 to C 6 hydroxyalkyl; R 2 is selected from the group consisting of C 1 to C 6 alkyl, C2 to C6 alkenyl, C2 to C6 alkynyl, C 1 to C6 haloalkyl, C 2 to C 6 haloalkenyl and C 2 to C 6 haloalkynyl; R 3 is selected from C 1 to C 6 alkyl; R 4 is hydrogen; m is 1; n is selected from the integers 2 to 4; and m + n is selected from the integers 3 to 5.

Claim 6

A compound according to any one of claims 1, 3 and 4 wherein: W, which may be the same or different, are selected from the group consisting of: the group R 5 CO- wherein R 5 is selected from the group consisting of: C 2 to C 6 alkenyl; C 1 to C 6 alkyl substituted with halogen, hydroxy, C 1 to C 6 alkoxy, C 1 to C 6 alkylthio, C 2 to C 6 alkanoyl, carboxy or (C l to C 6 alkoxy)carbonyl; benzyl; phenyl; and phenyl substituted with methoxy, nitro or cyano; the group YCO- wherein Y is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, mercapto and C 1 to C 6 alkylthio; the groups R 6 R 7 NCO- and R6R 7 NCS - wherein R6 and R 7 are independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen; C 1 to C 6 alkyl; carboxy; (C 1 to C 6 alkoxy)carbonyl; and C 1 to C 6 alkylsulfonyl; X, which may be the same or different, are independently selected from the group consisting of: halogen; C 1 to C 6 alkyl, C l to C 6 alkoxy; C l to C 6 alkylthio; and C 2 to C 6 alkanoyl; Rl is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C 2 to C 6 alkanoyl, and the alkali and alkaline earth metals; R 2 is selected from the group consisting of C 1 to C 6 alkyl, C 1 to C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 to C 6 alkenyl, C 2 to C 6 haloalkenyl and C 2 to C 6 alkynyl; R 3 is selected from the group consisting of C 1 to C 6 alkyl; R 4 is hydrogen; m is 1; n is selected from the integers 2 to 4; and m + n is selected from the integers 3 to 5.

Claim 7

A compound according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 5 inclusive wherein: W is selected from the group consisting of: the group R 5 CO- wherein R 5 is selected from the group consisting of: C 3 to C 6 alkenyl; C 1 to C 6 alkyl substituted with halogen, C 1 to C 6 alkylthio, C 2 to C 6 alkanoyl, carboxy or (C l to C 6 alkoxy)carbonyl; benzyl; and phenyl; the group YCO- wherein Y is selected from hydroxy and C 1 to C 6 alkylthio; and the groups R 6 R 7 NCO- and R 6 R7NCS- wherein R 6 and R 7 are independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen; C l to C 6 alkyl; carboxy; and (C 1 to C 6 alkoxy)carbonyl; X , which may be the same or different, are independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, methyl, methoxy, methylthio and acetyl; R 1 is selected from hydrogen and the alkali metals; R 2 is selected from the group consisting of C 1 to C 3 alkyl, C 1 to C 3 haloalkyl, allyl, haloallyl and propargyl; R 3 is selected from C 1 to C 3 alkyl; R 4 is hydrogen; m is 1; n is selected from the integers 2 and 3; and m + n is selected from the integers 3 and 4.

Claim 8

A compound according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 6 inclusive of formula wherein: W is selected from the group consisting of: the group R 5 CO wherein R 5 is selected from the group consisting of: allyl; C 1 to C 6 alkyl substituted with halogen, C 1 to C 6 alkylthio, C 2 to C 6 alkanoyl, carboxy or (C l to C 6 alkoxy)carbonyl; and benzyl; the group YCO- wherein Y is selected from hydroxy and C 1 to C 6 alkylthio; and the groups R 6 R 7 NCO- and R 6 R 7 NCS- wherein R 6 and R 7 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C 1 to C 6 alkyl, carboxy and (C l to C 6 alkoxy)carbonyl; X , X 2 and X 6 are methyl; R 1 is selected from hydrogen and the alkali metals; R 2 is selected from the group consisting of C 2 to C 3 alkyl, C 2 to C 3 haloalkyl, allyl, haloallyl and propargyl; R 3 is selected from C 2 to C 3 alkyl; R 4 is hydrogen; and n is zero or 1.

Claim 9

A compound according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 7 inclusive of formula wherein: W is selected from the group consisting of: the group R 5 CO- wherein R 5 is selected from the group consisting of: allyl; C 1 to C 6 alkyl substituted with halogen, C 1 to C 6 alkylthio, carboxy or (C 1 to C 6 alkoxy)carbonyl; the group YCO- wherein Y is selected from hydroxy and C 1 to C 6 alkylthio; and the groups R6R7NCO- and R 6 R 7 NCS- wherein R 6 and R 7 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C 1 to C 6 alkyl, carboxy and (C l to C 6 alkoxy)carbonyl; X 2 , X 4 and X 6 are methyl; R 1 is selected from hydrogen, sodium and potassium; R 2 is ethyl; R 3 is selected from ethyl and n-propyl; and R 4 is hydrogen.

Claim 10

A compound according to claim 8 wherein: W is selected from the group consisting of: allylcarbonyl; chloromethylcarbonyl; 2-chloroethyl- carbonyl; methylthiomethylcarbonyl; ethoxycarbonyl- methylcarbonyl; thiocarbamoyl; N,N-dimethylcarbamoyl; carboxythiocarbamoyl; and ethoxycarbonylthiocarbamoyl; X 2, X 4 and X 6 are methyl; R l and R 4 are hydrogen; R 2 is ethyl; and R 3 is selected from ethyl and n-propyl.

Claim 11

A compound according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 9 inclusive selected from the group consisting of: 5-[3-(chloromethylcarbonyl)-2,4,6-trimethylphenyl]-2-[1-(ethoxyimino)propyl]-3-hydroxycyclohex-2-en-l-one; 5-[3-(ethoxycarbonylmethylcarbonyl)-2,4,6-trimethylphenyl]-2-[1-(ethoxyimino)propyl]-3-hydroxycyclohex-2-en-l-one; 2-[1-(ethoxyimino)propyl]-3-hydroxy -5-[3-(methylthiomethylcarbonyl)-2,4,6-trimethylphenyl]cyclohex-2-en-l-one; 2-[1-(ethoxyimino)propyl]-3-hydroxy-5-[3-(N,N-dimethylcarbamoyl)-2,4,6-trimethylphenyl]cyclohex-2-en-l-one; and 5-[3-(N-ethoxycarbonylthiocarbamoyl)-2,4,6-trimethylphenyl]-2-[1-(ethoxyimino)propyl]-3-hydroxycyclohex-2-en-l-one.

Claim 12

A herbicidal composition comprising as active ingredient a compound as defined according to any one of claims 1 to 10 inclusive and a carrier therefor.

Claim 13

A process for severely damaging or killing unwanted plants which process comprises applying to said plants, or to the growth medium of said plants, an effective amount of a compound as defined according to any one of claims 1 to 10 inclusive or an effective amount of a composition as defined according to claim 11.

Claim 14

A process for selectively controlling the growth of monocotyledonous weeds in dicotyledonous crops which process comprises applying to said crop, or to the growth medium of said crop, a compound as defined according to any one of claims 1 to 10 inclusive or a composition as defined according to claim 11 in an amount sufficient to severely damage or kill said weeds but insufficient to substantially damage said crop.

Claim 15

A process according to claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the compound is applied at a rate in the range of from 0.005 to 20 kilograms per hectare.

Claim 16

A process for the synthesis of a compound of formula I as defined according to any one of claims 1 to 10 inclusive which process comprises reacting a 2- acyl-5-(aryl)cyclohexane-1,3-dione derivative of formula XIII with an alkoxyamine derivative of formula XVII to give a compound of the invention of formula II or reacting the 2 - acyl-5-(aryl)cyclohexane-l,3-dione derivative of formula XIII with hydroxylamine and alkylating the oxime intermediate of formula XVIII with an alkylating agent of formula XIX, wherein L is a leaving group, to give a compound of the invention of formula II; and, optionally, reacting the compound of the invention of formula II with a compound of formula XX, wherein L is a leaving group, to give a compound of the invention of formula I.

Claim 17

A compound of formula I as defined according to any one of claims 1 to 10 inclusive substantially as herein described with reference to any one of Examples 1 to 11 inclusive.

Claim 18

A composition as defined according to claim 11 substantially as herein described with reference to any one of Examples 12 to 15 inclusive.

Claim 19

A process as defined according to any one of claims 12 to 14 inclusive substantially as herein described with reference to any one of Examples 13 to 15 inclusive.

Claim 20

A process as defined according to claim 15 substantially as herein described with reference to any one of Examples 1 to 11 inclusive.