Isomeric mixtures of dinitro-octylphenyl esters and synergistic fungicidal mixtures therefrom

1. An isomeric composition comprising: from 0.1 to 99.9 weight percent 2,4-dinitro-6-(1-methylheptyl)phenyl ester,

from 0.1 to 99.9 weight percent 2,4-dinitro-6-(1-ethylhexyl)phenyl ester,

from 0.1 to 99.9 weight percent 2,4-dinitro-6-(1-propylpentyl)phenyl ester,

from 0.1 to 99.9 weight percent 2,6-dinitro-4-(1-methylheptyl)phenyl ester,

from 0.1 to 99.9 weight percent 2,6-dinitro-4-(1-ethylhexyl)phenyl ester, and

less than 0.1 weight percent 2,6-dinitro-4-(1-propylpentyl)phenyl esterbased on the total weight of the isomeric composition, wherein said isomeric composition has fungicidal activity against Unicinula necator.

2. The isomeric composition of claim 1 comprising:

at least 95 weight percent of 2,4-dinitro-6-(1-methylheptyl)phenyl ester,

less than 3 weight percent of 2,4-dinitro-6-(1-ethylhexyl)phenyl ester, and

less than 0.1 weight percent of 2,6-dinitro-4-(1-propylpentyl)phenyl ester,

based on the total weight of the isomeric composition.

3. The isomeric composition of claim 1 wherein each ester of the isomeric composition is a crotonate.

4. A fungicidal composition, useful for protecting a plant against attack by a phytopathogenic organism and/or treatment of a plant infested by a phytopathogenic organism, comprising

I) the isomeric composition of claim 1 , and

II) a phytologically acceptable carrier material.

5. The fungicidal composition of claim 4 wherein, the isomeric composition is

at least 95 weight percent of 2,4-dinitro-6-(1-methylheptyl)phenyl ester,

less than 3 weight percent of 2,4-dinitro-6-(1-ethylhexyl)phenyl ester, and

less than 0.1 weight percent of 2,6-dinitro-4-(1-propylpentyl)phenyl ester,

based on the total weight of the isomeric composition.

6. The fungicidal composition of claim 4 wherein each ester of the isomeric composition is a crotonate.

7. A synergistic fungicidal composition comprising the isomeric composition of claim 1 and at least one agriculturally active compound selected from the group consisting of: mancozeb, myclobutanil, and spiroxamine.

8. A synergistic fungicidal composition comprising the isomeric composition of claim 2 and at least one agriculturally active compound selected from the group consisting of: mancozeb, myclobutanil, and spiroxamine.

9. A synergistic fungicidal composition comprising the isomeric composition of claim 3 and at least agriculturally active compound selected from the group consisting of: mancozeb, myclobutanil, and spiroxamine.

10. A method for the control of fungal attack comprising applying to the plant, foliage, locus of the fungus, or to a locus in which the infestation is to be prevented, a fungicidal effective amount of the isomeric composition of claim 1 or the composition of claim 7 .

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the isomeric composition comprises:

at least 95 weight percent of 2,4-dinitro-6-(1-methylheptyl)phenyl ester,

less than 3 weight percent of 2,4-dinitro-6-(1-ethylhexyl)phenyl ester, and

less than 0.1 weight percent of 2,6-dinitro-4-(1-propylpentyl)phenyl ester,

based on the total weight of the isomeric composition.

12. The method according to claim 10 wherein each ester of the isomeric composition is a crotonate.