Synthesis and Herbicidal Activity of<i>O,O</i>-Dimethyl-(3-Phenacryloyloxy) Alkyl Phosphonates

Abstract

Abstract In an attempt to discover novel compounds with high biological activity and low toxicity, a series of new O,O-dimethyl-(3-phenacryloyloxy) alkyl phosphonates 4a–m have been designed and synthesized by the reaction of 3-phenacryloyl chloride with α-hydroxyalkyl phosphonate. All new compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and 1H NMR spectroscopy as well as by mass spectrometry. The results of preliminary bioassay indicate that some of the target compounds have excellent inhibitory activities on Triticum aestivum (wheat) and Brassica napus L. (rape).