Benzimidazole sulphides as anthelmintic agents

Abstract

Benzimidazole derivatives of the formula ##STR1## in which R and R.sub.1 independently of one another are each hydrogen, an alkanoyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkylsulphonyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a benzoyl group, a phenylsulphonyl group or a p-methylphenylsulphonyl group; R.sub.2 and R.sub.4 independently of one another are each hydrogen, halogen or a methyl group, R.sub.3 is hydrogen, halogen, a methyl group or a methoxy group; X is oxygen or sulphur; Y is halogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a methylthio group, a methylsulphinyl group, a methylsulphonyl group, a trifluoromethyl group, a nitro group, a hydroxyl group, a cyano group or an acetyl group; and m is 0, 1, 2 or 3; and if one of the two radicals R or R.sub.1 is hydrogen, the position of the other of these radicals on the N atoms cannot be clearly established, including, when at least one of the two radicals R or R.sub.1 is hydrogen, the possible tautomeric compounds of the formula I; and the disulphides obtainable by oxidation of compounds of the formula I. The compounds are useful for combating helminths in domestic animals and productive animals.