TRIORGANOTIN COMPOUNDS AND METHOD FOR COMBATTING FUNGI AND INSECTS USING SAME

- Novel sterically hindered triorganotin compounds of the general formula or effectively combat fungi and insects, particularly mites, when applied to plants that are susceptible to attack by these organisms. The present compounds are particularly advantageous in that they are considerably less phytotoxic than homologous triorganotin compounds wherein the hydrocarbon radicals are linear and contain from 4 to 6 carbon atoms, such as n-butyl and n-hexyl radicals. In the foregoing formulae R1 is methyl or ethyl, R2 is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl and n is 0, 1 or 2, with the proviso that each of the three hydrocarbon radicals bonded to the tin atom contains from 6 to 10 carbon atoms; X is selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine, fluorine, hydroxyl, nitrate, cyanate, thiocyanate, carbamate, thiocarbamate, . , , , phenoxy, alkoxy (-OR4), dithiocarbamoyl , mercaptide (-SR?) and dialkylditihiophosphate wherein R? represents alkyl containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms or wherein Z is hydrogen, halogen, 1-3 carbon alkyl, 1-3 carbon alkoxy or nitro (-NO2), R4 is alkyl containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, Y is , wherein m is an integer from 2 to 10, inclusive, , oxygen, sulfur, sulfate, phosphate, or carbonate and a represents the valence of Y and is the integer 2 or 3.