Shell Oil Comapny

Eirlys R Isaac

Peter Kirby

Michael D Barker

Graham C Smith

Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is alkyl; R.sub.2 is alkyl, aryl or aralkyl; R.sub.3 is hydrogen or alkyl or R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 together is polymethylene; and R.sub.4 is 2,6-dihalobenzyl are useful as herbicides.

Compositions and methods of combatting weeds in crops with

Certain novel trihydric alcohol derivatives, useful as herbicides and fungicides.

Trihydric alcohol derivatives

Cyclic acetals of the formula ##EQU1## where R.sub. 1 is hydroxy, alkoxy, or NHZ, Z is hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, benzyl, or optionally substituted phenyl, R.sub. 2 is hydrogen or alkyl, R.sub.3 is alkyl, and R.sub.4 is aralkyl, are useful as herbicides.

Cyclic acetals of alpha-oxocarboxylic acid derivatives

New compounds of the formula ##EQU1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each is alkyl; R.sub.3 is a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group; and R.sub.4 is optionally substituted phenyl, are useful as herbicides.

Growing community of inventors

Sittingbourne, United Kingdom

Eirlys R Isaac