3-ARYL-PYRROLIDINE-2, 4-DIONE DERIVATIVES

There are described novel 3-aryl-pyrrolidine-2,4-dione derivatives of the formula (I) in which A-B represents -S-CH2-, -SO-CH2-, -SO2CH2-, -CH2-S-, -CH2SO-, -CH2SO2-, -S-, -SO- or -SO2-, X represents alkyl, halogen or alkoxy, Y represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogen, alkoxy or haloalkyl, Z represents alkyl, halogen or alkoxy, n represents a number from 0-3, R represents hydrogen or the groups -CO-R or -CO-O-R , where E represents a metal cation equivalent or an ammonium ion, R represents optionally halogen-substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylthioalkyl, polyalkoxyalkyl and optionally substituted cycloalkyl which can be interrupted by hetero atoms, or represents optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted phenylalkyl, substituted hetaryl, substituted phenoxyalkyl and substituted hetaryloxyalkyl, and R represents optionally halogen-substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, polyalkoxyalkyl and optionally substituted phenyl, and several processes for their preparation. The novel compounds of the formula (I) can be used for controlling insects and arachnids and as weedkillers.