Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

William A Erby

Robert A Walde

James F Tompkins

Direct halogenation of C.sub.4 -C.sub.10 saturated keto monocarboxy acids or their acidogenic derivatives with elemental halogen to yield olefinic halogenated compounds (e.g. acids and lactones) containing at least four halogen atoms per molecule is disclosed. The halogenation is purely thermal with preferred temperature ranges being selected as a function of the particular end product desired. Halogenated products of the process as well as ammonia and amine salts of the acids made by the process are useful as insecticides, plant growth control agents and defoliants. Particularly useful products are those olefinic polychlorinated derivatives of gamma-keto-pentanoic acid which contain at least four chlorine atoms per molecule such as, for example, 2,3,5,5,5-pentachloro-4-keto pentenoic acid, its ammonium salt and its amine salts.

Method of preparing halogenated lactone

Halogenation of C.sub.5 - C.sub.10 saturated keto mono-carboxy acids or their acidogenic derivatives with elemental halogen in the presence of certain catalysts to yield olefinic halogenated compounds (e.g. acids and lactones) containing at least four halogen atoms per molecule is disclosed. The catalyst selected depends upon the particular end product desired. Halogenated products of the process are useful as insecticides, plant growth control agents and defoliants. Particularly useful products are those olefinic polychlorinated derivatives of 4-keto-pentanoic acid which contain at least four chlorine atoms per molecule such as, for example, 2,3,5,5,5-pentachloro-4-keto pentenoic acid.

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Alburtis, PA, United States of America

William A Erby