Substituted thiazolidinones useful as plant growth regulators

A compound is disclosed having the structural formula where R is hydrogen, chlorine, bromine, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, -CH2COOH, -CH2COO (C1-C4 alkyl), -CH2CONHN (C1-C2 alkyl)2, -CH2CONR4R5, -SPS(C1-C4 alkoxy)2 or -SPO(C1-C4 alkoxy)2(C1-C4 alkylthio)2; R1, R2 and R3 are the same or different and are hydrogen, hydroxy, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, C1-C6 alkylthio, C1-C4 alkylsulfonyl, C1-C6 fluoroalkyl, C1-C6 chloroalkyl, C1-C6 fluoroalkoxy, C1-C6 chloroalkoxy, C1-C6 fluoroalkylthio, C1-C6 chloroalkylthio, C7-C9 aralkyl, phenyl, phenoxy, phenylthio, C2-C5 alkoxycarbonyl, carboxy, nitro or cyano; and R4 and R5 are the same or different and are hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl; alternatively R4 and R5 together are C4-C6 alkylene or C4-C6 oxydialkylene; and n is 0, 1 or 2. This compound is useful in regulating the growth of plants and can be formed int a composition, useful in this application. The composition comprises the compound having the structural formula given above and an inert carrier therefor. A process for forming the compound set forth above is also taught.