GB886479A - Improvements in or relating to úf-xylene derivatives - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention comprises halogen derivatives of m-xylene having the general formula <FORM:0886479/IV (b)/1> wherein n is 0 to 2, X1 and X3 are halogen atoms, and X2 and X4 are hydrogen and/or halogen atoms, any free bonds being satisfied by hydrogen, and wherein n is 0, X2, X3, and X4 are halogen atoms. The halogen atoms may be chlorine, fluorine, bromine, or iodine. Specified compounds of the stated formula include a , a 1, 4, 6 - tetrachloro - m - xylene, a , 4 - di - chloro - m - xylene, a , a 1, 4 - trichloro - m - xylene, a , a , 4, 6 - tetrachloro - m - xylene, a , 4, 6 - trichloro - m - xylene, and a , a , a 1 - trichloro-m-xylene. The compounds may be obtained by halogenating, preferably with free halogen, m-xylene itself or a nuclearly halogenated derivative thereof, the reaction being carried out in the presence of actinic radiation at a temperature below 80 DEG C., e.g. between -20 DEG C. and +80 DEG C. The reactants are used in no greater than stoichiometric proportions. The reaction may be carried out in the presence of an inert solvent such as carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, and chlorobenzene. The products may be isolated by distillation at reduced pressure and recrystallization from an organic solvent. They may be converted into xylene glycols, or they may be used as pesticides, or as additives to petroleum products.ALSO:Pesticidal compositions contain a carrier and as active agent a compound of the formula <FORM:0886479/VI/1> wherein n is 0 to 2, X1 and X3 are halogen atoms, and X2 and X4 are hydrogen and/or halogen atoms, any free bonds being satisfied by hydrogen, and wherein when n is O, X2, X3 and X4 are halogen atoms. The halogen may be chlorine, fluorine, bromine, or iodine, but chlorine is preferred. Specified compounds of the stated formula include a ,a 1,4,6-tetrachloro-, a ,a ,4,6 - tetrachloro-, a ,4,6 - tri - chloro-, a ,a ,a 1-trichloro-, a ,a 1,4-trichloro-, and a ,4-dichloro-m-xylene. The compositions may contain clay, diatomaceous earth, talc, alumina-silica materials, water, organic liquids such as kerosene, benzene, toluene, xylene, acetone cyclohexanone and petroleum distillate fractions. Wetting, emulsifying and dispersing agents may be present. The compositions may contain in addition to the halogenated m-xylenes, other pesticidal substances, e.g. other chlorinated hydrocarbons, organic phosphorus compounds, foliage and soil fungicides, and pre- and post-emergent herbicides. The compositions may be used as nematocides.