Substituted phenoxybenzoic acids and esters thereof

Abstract

2-nitro-5-(substituted-phenoxy)benzoic acids and esters salts, amides and acyl halides thereof comprise a class of compounds that are highly effective herbicides.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A compound having the formula: ##STR4## wherein X is a .[.member.]. .Iadd.combination of the members .Iaddend.selected from the group consisting of nitro and trifluoromethyl, .Iadd.wherein both of said members must be present, .Iaddend.R is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy and alkoxy of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, n is an integer of .[.1.]. .Iadd.2 .Iaddend.to 5 .[., and in which a compound R is alkoxy when X is nitro.].. 
     
     
       2. A compound as defined in claim 1, having the name 2-nitro-5-[2'-nitro-4'-(α,α,α-trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]benzoic acid methyl ester. 
     
     
       3. A compound as defined in claim 1, having the name 2-nitro-5-[2'-nitro-4'-(α,α,α-trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]benzoic acid. .[.4. A compound as defined in claim 1, having the name ethyl 
     
     
        2-nitro-5-(4'-nitrophenoxy)benzoate..]. 5. A compound as defined in claim 1, having the name isopropyl 2-nitro-5-[2'-nitro-4'-(α,α,α-trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]be 
     
     
       nzoate. 6. A compound as defined in claim 1, having the name ethyl 2-nitro-5-[2'-nitro-4'-(α,α,α-trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]benzoate.