Fluoroalkoxyphenyl-substituted nitrogen heterocycles as plant stunting agents

Abstract

There is disclosed a class of fluoroalkoxyphenylsubstituted nitrogen-containing heterocycles which are useful as herbicides, plant fungicides, and plant growth regulators. Internodal elongation of plants is inhibited by treatment with compounds of this invention.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method of inhibiting the internodal growth of plants which comprises contacting the plants selected from the group consisting of crop plants, ornamental plants, and turf, with an effective growth-inhibiting amounts of a compound of the formula ##STR3## wherein R is 5-pyrimidinyl; R 1  is isopropyl;   R 2  is trifluoromethoxyphenyl, tetrafluoroethoxyphenyl or pentafluoroethoxyphenyl;   X is hydroxy;   and the nonphytotoxic acid addition salts thereof.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 2 wherein the compound is applied at the rate of from about 0.125 to about 5 lbs. per acre. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1 wherein the compound is applied at the rate of from about 0.125 to about 2 lbs. per acre. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 1 wherein the active compound is α-isopropyl-α-[p-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-5-pyrimidinemethanol. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 1 wherein the active compound is α-isopropyl-α-[p-(pentafluoroethoxy)phenyl]-5-pyrimidinemethanol. .[.6. The method of claim 1 wherein the active compound is α-[3,4-(difluoromethylenedioxy)phenyl]-α-isopropyl-5-pyrimidin 
     
     
       emethanol..]. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the growth-inhibiting compound is used in the form of a composition comprising an effective amount of a compound of the formula ##STR4## wherein R is 5-pyrimidinyl; R 1  is isopropyl;   R 2  is trifluoromethoxyphenyl, tetrafluoroethoxyphenyl, or pentafluoroethoxyphenyl;   X is hydroxy;   and the nonphytotoxic acid addition salts thereof, an   
     
     
        agriculturally-acceptable inert carrier, and a dispersing agent. 8. A growth-inhibiting composition comprising an effective growth-inhibiting amount of a compound of the formula ##STR5## wherein R is 5-pyrimidinyl; R 1  is isopropyl;   R 2  is trifluoromethoxyphenyl, tetrafluoroethoxyphenyl, or pentafluoroethoxyphenyl;   X is hydroxy;   and the nonphytotoxic acid addition salts thereof, an   
     
     
        agriculturally-acceptable inert carrier, and a dispersing agent. 9. A composition as defined in claim 8 wherein the compound is α-isopropyl-α-[p-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-5-pyrimidinemethanol.