Chiral 2-(benzylsulfinyl)thiazole derivatives and 2-[(1H-pyrazol-4-ylmethyl)sulfinyl]thiazole derivatives, processes for their preparation and their use as herbicides and plant growth regulators

1. An optically active compound of formula (I) in the (S) configuration and/or an agrochemically acceptable salt and/or an agrochemically acceptable quaternized nitrogen derivative thereof

wherein

Y is

and

the substituents R 1 to R 5 are each independently of one another selected from the group consisting of

hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, amino, C(O)OH, formyl,

(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylcarbonyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkylcarbonyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylcarbonyloxy, (C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkylcarbonyloxy, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylcarbonyl-(C 1 -C 4 )-alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkylcarbonyl-(C 1 -C 4 )-alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylcarbonyl-(C 1 -C 4 )-haloalkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkylcarbonyl-(C 1 -C 4 )-haloalkyl,

(C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxy, (C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkoxy, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxycarbonyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkoxycarbonyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxycarbonyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkoxycarbonyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxycarbonyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkoxycarbonyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkyl,

(C 2 -C 6 )-alkenyl, (C 2 -C 6 )-haloalkenyl, (C 2 -C 6 )-alkenylcarbonyl, (C 2 -C 6 )-haloalkenylcarbonyl, (C 2 -C 6 )-alkenyloxy, (C 2 -C 6 )-haloalkenyloxy, (C 2 -C 6 )-alkenyloxycarbonyl, (C 2 -C 6 )-haloalkenyloxycarbonyl,

(C 2 -C 6 )-alkynyl, (C 2 -C 6 )-haloalkynyl, (C 2 -C 6 )-alkynylcarbonyl, (C 2 -C 6 )-haloalkynylcarbonyl, (C 2 -C 6 )-alkynyloxy, (C 2 -C 6 )-haloalkynyloxy, (C 2 -C 6 )-alkynyloxycarbonyl, (C 2 -C 6 )-haloalkynyloxycarbonyl,

(C 1 -C 6 )-alkylthiocarbonyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkylthiocarbonyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylthiocarbonyloxy, (C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkylthiocarbonyloxy,

(C 1 -C 6 )-alkylthio-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxy, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylthio-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkylcarbonyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylthio-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkylcarbonyloxy,

(C 6 -C 14 )-aryl, (C 6 -C 14 )-aryloxy, (C 6 -C 14 )-arylcarbonyl, (C 6 -C 14 )-aryloxycarbonyl,

(C 6 -C 14 )-aryl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, (C 6 -C 14 )-aryl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxy, (C 6 -C 14 )-aryloxy-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, (C 6 -C 14 )-aryl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl-carbonyl, (C 6 -C 14 )-aryl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl-carbonyloxy, (C 6 -C 14 )-aryl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxycarbonyl, (C 6 -C 14 )-aryl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxycarbonyloxy,

(C 1 -C 6 )-alkylsulfonyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylthio, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylsulfinyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-halo-alkylsulfonyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkylthio, (C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkylsulfinyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylsulfonyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylthio-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylsulfinyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkylsulfonyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkylthio-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkylsulfinyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylsulfonyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylthio-(C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylsulfinyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkylsulfonyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkylthio-(C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkylsulfinyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylsulfonyloxy, (C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkylsulfonyloxy,

(C 4 -C 14 )-arylsulfonyl, (C 6 -C 14 )-arylthio, (C 6 -C 14 )-arylsulfinyl,

mono-((C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl)-amino, mono-((C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkyl)-amino, di-((C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl)-amino, di-((C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkyl)-amino, ((C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkyl)-amino, N—((C 1 -C 6 )-alkanoyl)-amino, N—((C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkanoyl)-amino, aminocarbonyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, mono-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkylaminocarbonyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, di-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkylaminocarbonyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, mono-((C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl)-aminocarbonyl,

(C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxy-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxy-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxy, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxy-carbonyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxy,

(C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkyl, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkoxy, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkyl, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxy, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkoxy, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkylcarbonyl, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkoxycarbonyl, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkylcarbonyl, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkylcarbonyl, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxycarbonyl, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkoxycarbonyl, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkoxycarbonyloxy, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkylcarbonyloxy, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkylcarbonyloxy, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxycarbonyloxy, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkyl-(C 1 -C 6 ) -haloalkoxycarbonyloxy,

(C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkenyl, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkenyloxy, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkenyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkenyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkyl, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkenyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxy, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkenyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkoxy, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkenylcarbonyl, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkenyloxycarbonyl, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkenyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkylcarbonyl, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkenyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkylcarbonyl, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkenyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxycarbonyl, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkenyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkoxycarbonyl, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkenylcarbonyloxy, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkenyloxycarbonyloxy, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkenyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkylcarbonyloxy, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkenyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkylcarbonyloxy, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkenyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxycarbonyloxy, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkenyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkoxycarbonyloxy,

(C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkylthio, (C 3 -C 8 )-alkenylthio, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkenylthio, (C 3 -C 6 )-alkynylthio,

hydroxy-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, hydroxy-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxy, cyano-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxy, cyano-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl,

3-oxetanyloxy, and

C(O)NR 9 R 10 where R 9 and R 10 independently of one another are hydrogen, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, (C 3 -C 6 )-cycloalkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkyl, or where R 9 and R 10 together form a (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylene group which may contain one oxygen or sulfur atom or one or two amino or (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylamino groups,

where the R 1 to R 5 substituents may, if appropriate, be attached cyclically to one another, provided they are ortho to one another

and/or

two of the R 1 to R 5 substituents ortho to one another together form a (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylene group which may contain one or more oxygen and/or sulfur atoms, where the (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylene group may be mono- or polysubstituted by halogen and the halogen substituents in question may be identical or different;

where the radicals R 1 to R 5 mentioned above may be mono- or polysubstituted independently of one another by at least one radicals selected from the group consisting of (C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxy, nitro, cyano, (C 1 -C 3 )-cycloalkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkoxy, and (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylthio and halogen, where the radicals mentioned may optionally be cyclically attached to one another, provided they are ortho to each other; and

the substituents R 11 and R 12 , in each case independently of one another, are selected from the group consisting of

hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, formyl, C(O)OH, hydroxyl, amino,

(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylcarbonyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylcarbonyl-(C 1 -C 4 )-alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylcarbonyloxy,

(C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxy, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxycarbonyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxycarbonyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxy-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxy-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxy, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxycarbonyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxy,

(C 2 -C 6 )-alkenyl, (C 2 -C 6 )-alkenyloxy, (C 2 -C 6 )-alkynyl, (C 2 -C 6 )-alkynyloxy,

(C 1 -C 6 )-alkylthio, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylsulfinyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylsulfonyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylsulfonyloxy, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylsulfonyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylsulfinyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylthio-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylthio-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxy,

mono-((C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl)-amino, di-((C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl)-amino, N—((C 1 -C 6 )-alkanoyl)-amino, aminocarbonyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, mono-((C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl)-aminocarbonyl, di-((C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl)-aminocarbonyl, mono-((C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl)-aminosulfonyl, di-((C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl)-aminosulfonyl,

(C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkyl, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkoxy, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkyl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxy, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkylcarbonyl, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkoxycarbonyl,

(C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkenyl, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkenyloxy, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkylthio, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkylsulfinyl, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkylsulfonyl, (C 3 -C 8 )-cycloalkylsulfonyloxy,

cyano-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxy, cyano-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl,

(C 6 -C 14 )-aryl, (C 6 -C 14 )-aryloxy, (C 6 -C 14 )-aryl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, (C 6 -C 14 )-aryl-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxy, (C 6 -C 14 )-aryloxy-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl,

—CONH—SO 2 —(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, —NHCHO, —NHCO—(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, —NHCO 2 —(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, —NHCONH—(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, —NHSO 2 —(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, —OCONH—(C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylaminosulfonyl-(C 1 -C 2 )-alkyl, di-(C 1 -C 6 )-alkylaminosulfonyl-(C 1 -C 2 )-alkyl, —C(O)NHR 9 , and

—C(O)NR 9 R 10 where R 9 and R 10 independently of one another are hydrogen, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, (C 3 -C 6 )-cycloalkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkyl, or where R 9 and R 10 together form a (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylene group which may contain one oxygen or sulfur atom or one or two amino or (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylamino groups,

where the radicals R 11 and R 12 mentioned above may be mono- or polysubstituted independently of one another by radicals selected from the group consisting of halogen and (C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl.

2. The compound of the formula (I) as claimed in claim 1 wherein Y is

and the substituents R 1 to R 5 independently of one another are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, cyano, nitro, amino, C(O)OH, (C 1 -C 4 )-alkyl, (C 3 -C 6 )-cycloalkyl, (C 1 -C 4 )-haloalkyl, (C 1 -C 4 )-alkoxy, (C 1 -C 4 )-haloalkoxy, (C 1 -C 4 )-alkoxy-(C 1 -C 2 )-alkyl, (C 1 -C 3 )-alkylcarbonyl, (C 1 -C 3 )-alkylcarbonyloxy, (C 1 -C 4 )-alkoxycarbonyl, (C 3 -C 6 )-cycloalkoxycarbonyl, (C 3 -C 6 )-cycloalkyl-(C 1 -C 2 )-alkoxy, (C 3 -C 6 )-cycloalkoxy, (C 1 -C 4 )-alkoxycarbonyl-(C 1 -C 2 )-alkoxy, (C 3 -C 4 )-alkenyloxy, (C 3 -C 4 )-alkynyloxy, (C 1 -C 4 )-alkylthio, (C 1 -C 4 )-haloalkylthio, (C 1 -C 4 )-alkylsulfinyl, (C 1 -C 4 )-haloalkylsulfinyl, (C 1 -C 4 )-alkylsulfonyl, (C 1 -C 4 )-haloalkylsulfonyl, (C 1 -C 4 )-alkylsulfonyloxy, di-(C 1 -C 4 )-alkylamino, C 6 -aryl-(C 1 -C 4 )-alkyl, (C 3 -C 4 )-alkenyloxycarbonyl, (C 2 -C 4 )-alkynyloxycarbonyl, C 6 -aryl-(C 1 -C 4 )-alkoxycarbonyl, C 6 -aryl-(C 1 -C 4 )-alkoxy, formyl, (C 2 -C 4 )-alkenyl, (C 2 -C 4 )-alkynyl, phenyl, and —C(O)NR 9 R 10 , where R 9 and R 10 independently of one another are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, (C 3 -C 6 )-cycloalkyl, and (C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkyl, or where R 9 and R 10 together form a (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylene group which may contain one oxygen or sulfur atom or one or two amino or (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylamino groups.

3. The compound of the formula (I) as claimed in claim 1 wherein R 11 and R 12 independently of one another are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, carboxyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, (C 3 -C 6 )-cycloalkyl, (C 3 -C 6 )-cycloalkoxy, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxy, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkylcarbonyl, (C 3 -C 6 )-cycloalkylcarbonyl, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkoxycarbonyl, (C 3 -C 6 )-cycloalkoxycarbonyl, mono-((C 1 -C 4 )-alkyl)-aminocarbonyl, di-((C 1 -C 4 )-alkyl)-aminocarbonyl, mono-((C 1 -C 4 )-alkyl)-aminosulfonyl, di-((C 1 -C 4 )-alkyl)-aminosulfonyl, (C 1 -C 4 )-alkylthio, (C 3 -C 6 )-cycloalkylthio, (C 1 -C 4 )-alkylsulfinyl, (C 3 -C 6 )-cycloalkylsulfinyl, (C 1 -C 4 )-alkylsulfonyl, (C 3 -C 6 )-cycloalkylsulfonyl, (C 1 -C 4 )-alkylsulfonyloxy, (C 3 -C 6 )-cycloalkylsulfonyloxy, (C 2 -C 3 )-alkenyl, (C 2 -C 3 )-alkynyl, (C 2 -C 3 )-alkenyloxy, (C 2 -C 3 )-alkynyloxy, —NHCO—(C 1 -C 3 )-alkyl, —NHCO 2 —(C 1 -C 3 )-alkyl, —NHCONH—(C 1 -C 3 )-alkyl, —NHSO 2 —(C 1 -C 3 )-alkyl, —OCONH—(C 1 -C 3 )-alkyl, —CONHR 9 , and —CONR 9 R 10 , where R 9 and R 10 independently of one another are hydrogen, (C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl, (C 3 -C 6 )-cycloalkyl, or (C 1 -C 6 )-haloalkyl, where the radicals R 11 and R 12 mentioned above may be mono- or polysubstituted independently of one another by radicals selected from the group consisting of halogen and (C 1 -C 6 )-alkyl.

4. The compound of the formula (I) as claimed in claim 1 wherein R 11 and R 12 independently of one another are selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, Me, CHF 2 and CF 3 .

5. The compound of the formula (I) as claimed in claims 1 wherein R 11 and R 12 independently of one another are selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br and I.

6. The compound according to claim 1 in which Y is

and the radicals R 1 to R 5 and R 11 and R 12 have the meanings according to claim 1 , except for the compounds 2-(benzylsulfinyl)-1,3-thiazole, 2-(benzylsulfinyl)-5-(chloromethyl)-1,3-thiazole, 5-(chloromethyl)-2-(4-methylbenzyl)sulfinyl-1,3-thiazole, 5-(chloromethyl)-2-(4-methoxybenzyl)sulfinyl-1,3-thiazole, 2-(4-chlorobenzyl)sulfinyl-5-(chloromethyl)-1,3-thiazole, 5-(chloromethyl)-2-(4-nitrobenzyl)sulfinyl-1,3-thiazole, 5-(bromomethyl)-2-(4-nitrobenzyl)sulfinyl-1,3-thiazole, 5-(bromomethyl)-2-(4-chlorobenzyl)sulfinyl-1,3-thiazole, 5-(bromomethyl)-2-(4-methoxybenzyl)sulfinyl-1,3-thiazole, 5-(bromomethyl)-2-(4-methylbenzyl)sulfinyl-1,3-thiazole and 2-(benzylsulfinyl)-5-(bromomethyl)-1,3-thiazole.

7. A process for preparing a compound of the formula (I) as claimed in claim 1 , which comprises oxidizing a thioether of the formula (II)

with one equivalent of an oxidizing agent to give a sulfoxide of the formula (I)

8. The process as claimed in claim 7 wherein the oxidizing agent is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, sodium metaperiodate, organic peroxides and organic peracids.

9. A composition comprising at least one compound of the formula (I) as claimed in claim 1 .

10. The composition as claimed in claim 9 wherein the composition comprises at least one further active compound selected from the group consisting of at least one further herbicide and at least one safener.

11. A plant growth regulator comprising a compound of the formula (I) as claimed in claim 1 .

12. A plant growth regulator comprising a composition as claimed in claim 9 .

13. A method for controlling plants in specific plant crops comprising applying plant protection regulator of claim 9 to said crops.

14. The compound of the formula (I) as claimed in claim 1 wherein R 1 , R 5 and R 11 are halogen and R 2 , R 3 , R 4 and R 12 are hydrogen, and Y is phenyl.