Synthesis and herbicidal activity of O,O-dialkyl phenoxyacetoxyalkylphosphonates containing fluorine

Abstract A series of substituted phenoxyacetoxyalkylphosphonates bearing fluorine were designed and synthesized. All the new compounds were identified by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR and MS and were tested for herbicidal activity in greenhouse at a rate of 1.5 kg/ha. The results of preliminary bioassay showed that fluorine moiety introduced to the core structure could help to improve the herbicidal activity, and compounds with a 3-trifluoromethyl in benzene ring exhibited higher inhibitory activity.