[Phytotoxic activity of asymmetric N,N-dialkylamides of trisubstituted benzoic acids]

Asimmetric N,N-dialkylamides of benzoic acids variously trisubstituted on the nucleus were prepared and tested for phytotoxicity in pre- and post-emergence experiments. These amides are characterized by the presence on the amidic N of a sec.butyl or a 1-methylbutyl or a 1-ethylpropyl group and a second alkyl group of varying weight and nature. For reference the Authors prepared and studied 2,3,5-trichlorobenzamides bearing on the N atom a tert.butyl and a second linear C2 leads to C4 alkyl. The substances studied generally proved very active against the weeds tested and showed marked specificity of action towards Setaria and Echinochloa. The compounds proving most active against the weeds were also tested against plants of agricultural interest. In general these asymmetric amides proved more phytotoxic against agrarian species than the corresponding N,N-di,sec.butylamides studied previously.