Thiophosphoric acid esters and a process for their production

The invention comprises thiophosphoric and thiophosphonic acid esters of formula: where R and R1 are C1-4 alkyl, X is oxygen, sulphur, sulphoxy or sulphonyl, Y is OR1 or an organic radical linked to the phosphorus atom by a carbon atom, e.g. an alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, chlorophenyl or alkoxyvinyl radical, and Z is oxygen or sulphur, and wherein the benzene nucleus may contain further substituents, e.g. halogen, alkyl, alkoxy and acetoxy. They may be prepared by converting the appropriate thiophenol into a salt by reaction with an alkali metal alkoxide and reacting this with the appropriate O,O-dialkylphosphoric or -thionophosphoric acid chloride or O-alkylphosphonic or -thionophosphonic acid chloride, or by reacting the appropriate aromatic sulphenic acid chloride (obtainable by the action of chlorine on the corresponding disulphide) with the appropriate O,O-dialkylphosphite or -thiolphosphite, or Oalkylphosphonite or -thiolphosphonite. The sulphoxy and sulphonyl compounds may also be obtained by oxidation in known manner of the corresponding mercapto compounds. The products are useful as insecticides (see Group VI). Specifications 812,530 and 819,689 are referred to.ALSO:Insecticidal compositions comprise as active ingredient a thiophosphoric or thiophosphonic acid ester of formula where R and R1 are C1-4 alkyl, X is oxygen, sulphur, sulphoxy or sulphonyl, Y is OR1 or an organic radical linked to the phosphorus atom by a carbon atom, e.g. an alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, chlorphenyl or alkoxyvinyl radical, and Z is oxygen or sulphur, and wherein the benzene ring may contain further substituents, e.g. halogen, alkyl, alkoxy or acetoxy, together with a solid or liquid carrier. Aqueous dilutions in conjunction with an emulsifier and auxiliary solvent such as acetone or dimethylformamide are preferred. Specifications 812,530 and 819,689 are referred to.