N-[2-(2-pyridinyl) ethyl]benzamide compounds and their use as fungicides

1. A compound of formula (I):

in which:

n is 1, 2 or 3;

each X is independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a nitro group, a cyano group, a hydroxy group, an amino group, a sulfanyl group, a pentafluoro-λ 6 -sulfanyl group, a formyl group, a formyloxy group, a formylamino group, a carboxy group, a carbamoyl group, a N-hydroxycarbamoyl group, a carbamate group, a (hydroxyimino)-C 1 -C 6 -alkyl group, a C 1 -C 8 -alkyl, a C 2 -C 8 -alkenyl, a C 2 -C 8 -alkynyl, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylamino, a di-C 1 -C 8 -alkylamino, a C 1 -C 8 -alkoxy, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylsulfanyl, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkylsulfanyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 2 -C 8 -alkenyloxy, a C 2 -C 8 -halogenoalkenyloxy having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 3 -C 8 -alkynyloxy, a C 3 -C 8 -halogenoalkynyloxy having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 3 -C 8 -cycloalkyl, a C 3 -C 8 -halogenocycloalkyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylcarbonyl, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkylcarbonyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylcarbamoyl, a di-C 1 -C 8 -alkylcarbamoyl, a (N—C 1 -C 8 -alkyl)oxycarbamoyl, a C 1 -C 8 -alkoxycarbamoyl, a (N—C 1 -C 8 -alkyl)-C 1 -C 8 -alkoxycarbamoyl, a C 1 -C 8 -alkoxycarbonyl, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkoxycarbonyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylcarbonyloxy, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkylcarbonyloxy having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylcarbonylamino, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkylcarbonylamino having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylaminocarbonyloxy, a di-C 1 -C 8 -alkylaminocarbonyloxy, a C 1 -C 8 -alkyloxycarbonyloxy, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylsulphenyl, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkylsulphenyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylsulphinyl, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkylsulphinyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylsulphonyl, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkylsulphonyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a (C 1 -C 6 -alkoxyimino)-C 1 -C 6 -alkyl, a (C 1 -C 6 -alkenyloxyimino)-C 1 -C 6 -alkyl, a (C 1 -C 6 -alkynyloxyimino)-C 1 -C 6 -alkyl, a (benzyloxyimino)-C 1 -C 6 -alkyl, a benzyloxy, a benzylsulfanyl, a benzylamino, a phenoxy, a phenylsulfanyl and a phenylamino;

R 1 is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a nitro group, a cyano group, a hydroxy group, an amino group, a sulfanyl group, a pentafluoro-λ 6 -sulfanyl group, a formyl group, a formyloxy group, a formylamino group, a carboxy group, a carbamoyl group, a N-hydroxycarbamoyl group, a carbamate group, a (hydroxyimino)-C 1 -C 6 -alkyl group, a C 1 -C 8 -alkyl, a C 2 -C 8 -alkenyl, a C 2 -C 8 -alkynyl, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylamino, a di-C 1 -C 8 -alkylamino, a C 1 -C 8 -alkoxy, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylsulfanyl, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkylsulfanyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 2 -C 8 -alkenyloxy, a C 2 -C 8 -halogenoalkenyloxy having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 3 -C 8 -alkynyloxy, a C 3 -C 8 -halogenoalkynyloxy having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 3 -C 8 -cycloalkyl, a C 3 -C 8 -halogenocycloalkyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylcarbonyl, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkylcarbonyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylcarbamoyl, a di-C 1 -C 8 -alkylcarbamoyl, a N—C 1 -C 8 -alkyloxycarbamoyl, a C 1 -C 8 -alkoxycarbamoyl, a N—C 1 -C 8 -alkyl-C 1 -C 8 -alkoxycarbamoyl, a C 1 -C 8 -alkoxycarbonyl, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkoxycarbonyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylcarbonyloxy, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkylcarbonyloxy having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylcarbonylamino, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkylcarbonylamino having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylaminocarbonyloxy, a di-C 1 -C 8 -alkylaminocarbonyloxy, a C 1 -C 8 -alkyloxycarbonyloxy, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylsulphenyl, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkylsulphenyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylsulphinyl, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkylsulphinyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylsulphonyl, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkylsulphonyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a (C 1 -C 6 -alkoxyimino)-C 1 -C 6 -alkyl, a (C 1 -C 6 -alkenyloxyimino)-C 1 -C 6 -alkyl, a (C 1 -C 6 -alkynyloxyimino)-C 1 -C 6 -alkyl, a (benzyloxyimino)-C 1 -C 6 -alkyl, a benzyloxy, a benzylsulfanyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a benzylamino, a phenoxy, a phenylsulfanyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 halogen atoms and a phenylamino;

with the proviso that X and R 1 are not both a hydrogen atom;

R 2 and R 3 are independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, a hydroxy group, a C 1 -C 6 -alkyl, a C 1 -C 6 -halogenoalkyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 2 -C 6 -alkenyl, a C 1 -C 6 -alkoxy, a C 1 -C 6 -alkylsulfanyl, a C 1 -C 6 -alkylsulfenyl, a C 1 -C 6 -alkylsulfinyl, a C 1 -C 6 -alkoxycarbonyl, a C 1 -C 6 -alkylcarbonyloxy and a C 1 -C 6 -alkylcarbonylamino;

or R 2 and R 3 may together form a 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-membered carbocycle;

R 4 and R 5 are independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, a C 1 -C 6 -alkyl and a C 1 -C 6 -halogenoalkyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms;

or R 4 and R 5 may together form a 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-membered carbocycle;

R 6 is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a cyano group, a formyl group, a hydroxy group, a C 1 -C 6 -alkyl, a C 1 -C 6 -halogenoalkyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 6 -alkoxy, a C 1 -C 6 -halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 3 -C 6 -cycloalkyl, a C 3 -C 6 -halogenocycloalkyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 2 -C 6 -alkenyl, a C 2 -C 6 -alkynyl, a C 1 -C 6 -alkoxy-C 1 -C 6 -alkyl, a C 1 -C 6 -cyanoalkyl, a C 1 -C 6 -aminoalkyl, a C 1 -C 6 -alkylamino-C 1 -C 6 -alkyl, a di-C 1 -C 6 -alkylamino-C 1 -C 6 -alkyl, a C 1 -C 6 -alkylcarbonyl, a C 1 -C 6 -halogenalkylcarbonyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 6 -alkyloxycarbonyl, a C 1 -C 6 -benzyloxycarbonyl, a C 1 -C 6 -alkoxy-C 1 -C 6 -alkylcarbonyl, a C 1 -C 6 -alkylsulfonyl and a C 1 -C 6 -halogenoalkylsulfonyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms;

p is 1, 2, 3 or 4;

each Y is independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a nitro group, a cyano group, a hydroxy group, an amino group, a sulfanyl group, a pentafluoro-λ 6 -sulfanyl group, a formyl group, a formyloxy group, a formylamino group, a carboxy group, a C 1 -C 8 -alkyl, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 2 -C 8 -alkenyl, a C 2 -C 8 -alkynyl, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylamino, a di-C 1 -C 8 -alkylamino, a C 1 -C 8 -alkoxy, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 8 -alkoxy-C 2 -C 8 -alkenyl, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylsulfanyl, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkylsulfanyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 8 -alkoxycarbonyl, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkoxycarbonyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylcarbonyloxy, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkylcarbonyloxy having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylsulphenyl, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkylsulphenyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylsulphinyl, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkylsulphinyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylsulphonyl, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkylsulphonyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms and a C 1 -C 8 -alkylsulfonamide; and

R 7 is selected from the group consisting of a halogen atom, a nitro group, a cyano group, an amino group, a sulfanyl group, a pentafluoro-λ 6 -sulfanyl group, a formyl group, a formyloxy group, a formylamino group, a carboxy group, a C 1 -C 8 -alkyl, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 2 -C 8 -alkenyl, a C 2 -C 8 -alkynyl, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylamino, a di-C 1 -C 8 -alkylamino, a C 1 -C 8 -alkoxy, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 8 -alkoxy-C 2 -C 8 -alkenyl, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylsulfanyl, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkylsulfanyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 8 -alkoxycarbonyl, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkoxycarbonyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylcarbonyloxy, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkylcarbonyloxy having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylsulphenyl, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkylsulphenyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylsulphinyl, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkylsulphinyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 8 -alkylsulphonyl, a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkylsulphonyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms and a C 1 -C 8 -alkylsulfonamide;

as well as a salt or N-oxide thereof.

2. The compound of claim 1 wherein R 1 is a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom.

3. The compound of claim 1 wherein n is 1 or 2.

4. The compound of claim 1 wherein each X is selected from the group consisting of a halogen atom and a C 1 -C 8 -alkyl.

5. The compound of claim 1 wherein the 2-pyridyl is substituted by X in the 3- and/or in the 5-position.

6. The compound of claim 1 wherein R 7 is selected from the group consisting of a halogen atom, a C 1 -C 8 -alkyl and a C 1 -C 8 -halogenoalkyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms.

7. The compound of claim 1 wherein p is 1 or 2.

8. The compound of claim 7 wherein p is 1.

9. The compound of claim 1 wherein each Y is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom and a C 1 -C 8 -alkyl.

10. The compound of claim 9 wherein each Y is a hydrogen atom.

11. The compound of claim 1 wherein the phenyl is substituted by Y first in the para position.

12. A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (Ia)

wherein:

R 1 , R 7 , X, Y, n and p are as defined in claim 1 ;

R 2 , R 4 , and R 5 are hydrogen atoms;

R 3 is a C 1 -C 6 alkyl;

which process comprises:

a first step according to reaction scheme A-1:

in which:

R 8 is selected from the group consisting of a C 1 -C 6 alkyl, a C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, a benzyl, 4-methoxybenzyl and pentafluorophenyl;

U is a leaving group selected from the group consisting of a halogen, a C 1 -C 6 alkylsulfonate and a C 1 -C 6 haloalkylsulfonate;

comprising the arylation of a cyanoacetate derivative of formula (III) by a pyridine derivative of formula (II), to provide a 2-(pyridyl)cyanoacetate derivative of formula (IV), in the presence of a base, at a temperature of from 0° C. to 200° C.;

a second step according to reaction scheme A-2:

in which:

comprising a basic hydrolysis, an acidic hydrolysis or a displacement by a halide of a compound of formula (IV) to provide, upon heating at a temperature of from 40° C. to reflux, a 2-pyridylacetonitrile derivative of formula (Va);

a third step according to reaction scheme A-3:

in which:

W is selected from the group consisting of a halogen atom, a C 1 -C 6 alkylsulfonate, a C 1 -C 6 haloalkylsulfonate and a 4-methyl-phenylsulfonate,

comprising the alkylation of a compound of formula (Va) by a reagent of formula (XVII) to provide a compound of formula (Vb);

a fourth step according to reaction scheme A-4:

in which:

L 1 is a leaving group selected from the group consisting of an —OR 8 group and an —OCOR 8 group,

PG represents a protecting group selected from the group consisting of a —COOR 8 group and a —COR 8 group,

comprising the reduction, by hydrogenation or by an hydride donor, of a compound of formula (Vb), in the presence of a catalyst and in the presence of a compound of formula (VI) to produce a compound of formula (VII), at a temperature of from 0° C. to 150° C. and under a pressure of from 1 bar and 100 bar;

a fifth step according to reaction scheme A-5:

comprising a deprotection reaction, in an acidic or in a basic medium, of a compound of formula (VII) to provide an amine derivative of formula (VIIIa) or one of its salts; and

a sixth step according to reaction scheme A-6:

in which:

L 2 is a leaving group selected from the group consisting of a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an OR 8 group, an OCOR 8 ,

and a group of formula

comprising a coupling reaction of an amine derivative of formula (VIIIa) or one of its salts, with a carboxylic acid derivative of formula (IX) to provide a compound of formula (Ia).

13. The process of claim 12 further comprising a step according to reaction scheme G:

in which:

R 6 is a hydrogen atom, a cyano group, a formyl group, a hydroxy group, a C 1 -C 6 -alkyl, a C 1 -C 6 -halogenoalkyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 6 -alkoxy, a C 1 -C 6 -halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 3 -C 6 -cycloalkyl, a C 3 -C 6 -halogenocycloalkyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 2 -C 6 -alkenyl, a C 2 -C 6 -alkynyl, a C 1 -C 6 -alkoxy-C 1 -C 6 -alkyl, a C 1 -C 6 -cyanoalkyl, a C 1 -C 6 -aminoalkyl, a C 1 -C 6 -alkylamino-C 1 -C 6 -alkyl, a di-C 1 -C 6 -alkylamino-C 1 -C 6 -alkyl, a C 1 -C 6 -alkylcarbonyl, a C 1 -C 6 -halogenalkylcarbonyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1 -C 6 -alkyloxycarbonyl, a C 1 -C 6 -benzyloxycarbonyl, a C 1 -C 6 -alkoxy-C 1 -C 6 -alkylcarbonyl, a C 1 -C 6 -alkylsulfonyl or a C 1 -C 6 -halogenoalkylsulfonyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms; and

L 5 is a leaving group selected from the group consisting of a halogen atom, a 4-methyl phenylsulfonyloxy, and a methylsulfonyloxy;

comprising the reaction of a compound of formula (Ia) with a compound of formula (XVI) to provide a compound of formula (Ib).

14. Fungicidal composition comprising an effective amount of a compound according to claim 1 and an agriculturally acceptable support.

15. Method for treating phytopathogenic fungi of crops comprising applying an effective and non-phytotoxic amount of a composition according to claim 14 to the plant seeds or to the plant leaves and/or to the fruits of the plants or to the soil in which the plants are growing or in which it is desired to grow them.