PHENYL DERIVATIVES

1462574 3,4-(Methylenedioxy)phenyl ethers F HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE & CO AG 16 June 1975 [17 June 1974] 25544/75 Heading C2C [Also in Division A5] The invention comprises compounds of Formula I where R 1 is propyl, butyl or isobutyl, R 2 is methyl or ethyl, A and B together represent an additional bond or an oxygen bridge, and C and D each represent hydrogen or together form an additional bond, with the proviso (in the per se claims) that when R 1 is isobutyl and R 2 is methyl, C and D each represent hydrogen. Compounds of Formula I are prepared (a) by reacting a compound of formula with a compound of formula where Z is chlorine, bromine, iodine or a tosyloxy or mesyloxy group and M is an alkali or alkaline earth metal; (b) by hydrogenating a compound of Formula I in which A and B together represent an oxygen bridge and C and D together represent an additional bond; or (c) epoxidizing a compound of Formula I in which A and B together represent an additional bond. The preparation is described of starting materials of Formula II in which A and B represent together an additional bond. The compounds of the invention are pesticides.