Synthesis of a new class of pyridine herbicide

Abstract

Abstract A new class of fluoroalkylated pyridine herbicides has been discovered. The 3,5‐pyridinedicarboxylates are prepared either from ethyl 4,4,4‐trifluoroacetoacetate via Hantzsch dihydropyridine synthesis or from trifluoroacetonitrile via cyclocondensation and carboxylation. Hydrolysis of the ester groups, followed by derivatization of the resulting acids yields a variety of herbicidally active analogs including ester, thioester, amide, halogen, amino, alkoxy and alkylthio derivatives.