Procédé de préparation d'esters phosphoniques ou phosphiniques des alpha-et beta-naphtols

The invention comprises esters of a - and b -naphthols of formula where R1 is C1-8-alkyl or alkenyl, phenyl, C1-4-alkylphenyl or halophenyl, R2 stands for the same groups as R1 or for OR1, R3 is a - or b -naphthyl optionally substituted by C1-4 alkyl, halogen, nitro, C1-4 alkoxy, a carboxylic ester group or a sulphonic amide group, and X is sulphur or oxygen. They may be prepared by reacting an alkali metal salt of an appropriate naphthol with a phosphonic, thionaphthophosphonic, phosphinic or thiophosphinic acid halide, preferably in the presence of copper powder. The products are pesticides (see Group VI). Specification 901,551 is referred to.ALSO:Insecticidal and fungicidal compositions comprise organophosphorus esters of a - and b -naphthols having the formula where R1 is C1-8 alkyl or alkenyl, phenyl, C1-4 alkyl-phenyl or halophenyl, R2 stands for the same groups as R1 or for OR1, R3 is a - or b -naphthyl optionally substituted by C1-4 alkyl, halogen, nitro, C1-4 alkoxy, a carboxylic ester group or a sulphonic amide group, and X is oxygen or sulphur, together with a solid or liquid carrier. Known insecticides and/or fertilizers may be present. Solid carriers specified are talc, chalk, bentonite and clay. Liquid carriers are methanol, ethanol, ketones e.g. acetone or methyl ethyl ketone or liquid hydrocarbons. The compositions may also contain emulsifiers e.g. benzyl hydroxy diphenyl polyglycol ether. Specification 901,551 is referred to.