[Preparation and study of phytotoxicity of N-arylalkyl substituted amides. I. Benzylamides]

A series of N-benzyl substituted amides (substances I-CV) have been prepared and tested for phytotoxicity. Preliminary tests were carried out on various common plants using both pre- and post-emergence tests at doses of 6 kg/ha. Further tests using doses of 4 and 2 kg/ha were carried out on the most interesting compounds. Some of the compounds tested showed marked phytotoxic activity. This activity appears clearly different as regards mechanism from that of homologous anilides. The amides studied appear to be quite inactive as inhibitors of the Hill reaction.