Phenoxy-glycerin diesters and their use as herbicides

The invention comprises compounds of the formula:- in which each Y represents a chlorine atom or a methyl radical and two or more Y's may be identical, n is equal to 2 or 3 and R1 and R2 represent mono-, di- or tri-chloromethyl, a , a -dichloroethyl, a ,a ,b -trichloroethyl, a ,a -dichloropropyl, a ,a ,b -trichloropropyl, a ,a -dichloroisobutyl or a ,a ,b -trichloroisobutyl radicals and the two radicals R1 and R2 may be identical or different. The compounds may be prepared by esterification of the phenoxy glycerin with the desired acid in the presence of an acid catalyst or with the desired acid chloride in the presence of a tertiary amine. A chlorinated or non-chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent which distils azeotropically with water may also be used. Examples are given. The phenoxy glycerins may be prepared by reacting the sodium phenolate with glycerin chlorhydrins, toluene sulphonic acid glycerin esters or epichlorhydrin.ALSO:Compounds of the formula: or in which each y represents a chlorine atom or a methyl radical and two or more Y's may be identical, n is equal to 2 or 3 and R1 and R2 represent mono-, di or tri-chloromethyl, a , a -dichloroethyl, a , a ,b -trichloroethyl, a , a -dichloropropyl, a , a ,b -trichloropropyl, a , a -dichloroisobutyl or a , a ,b -trichloroisobutyl radicals R1 and R2 being identical or different, are used in emulsified or disperse form, alone or with other weed-exterminators e.g. substituted ureas or borax or with fertilizers such as calcium nitrate. The compounds may be dissolved in mineral oils or blended with inert solid diluents such as talc, bentonite, pyrophyllite, diatomaceous earth or silica gel. A list of suitable emulsifiers and dispersing agents is also given.