Herbicidal aryldiones incorporating a 5-methoxy-[1,2,5]triazepane ring

[Display omitted] Novel 2-aryl-cyclic-1,3-diones containing a 5-methoxy-[1,2,5]triazepane unit were explored towards an effective and wheat safe control of grass weeds. Their preparation builds on the ease of synthetic access to 7-membered heterocyclic [1,2,5]triazepane building blocks. Substitution and pattern hopping in the phenyl moiety revealed structure–activity relationships in good agreement with previously disclosed observations amongst the pinoxaden family of acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibitors. In light of basic physicochemical, enzyme inhibitory and binding site properties, the N-methoxy functionality effectively acts as a bioisostere of the ether group in the seven-membered hydrazine ring.