Process for the preparation of nitroguanidine derivatives

Abstract

A process for the preparation of 1,3-disubstituted 2-nitroguanidines of the formula I ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 is hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, R.sub.2 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 cycloalkyl or a radical --CH.sub.2 B; A is an unsubstituted or mono- to tetrasubstituted aromatic or non-aromatic, monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclic radical, which may contain one or two substituents from the group comprising C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 haloalkyl having 1 to 7 halogen atoms, cyclopropyl, halocyclopropyl having 1 to 3 halogen atoms, C.sub.2 -C.sub.3 alkenyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.3 alkynyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.3 haloalkenyl and C.sub.2 -C.sub.3 haloalkynyl having 1 to 4 halogen atoms, C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 haloalkoxy having 1 to 7 halogen atoms, C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkylthio, C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 haloalkylthio having 1 to 7 halogen atoms, allyloxy, propargyloxy, allylthio, propargylthio, haloallyloxy, haloallylthio, cyano and nitro and one to four substituents from the group comprising C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkoxy and halogen; and B is optionally substituted phenyl or pyridyl, which comprises hydrolysing a compound of the formula II ##STR2## in which R.sub.3 is unsubstituted or substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 cycloalkyl, phenyl or benzyl. The compounds of the formula I are suitable as intermediates for the preparation of pesticides.