Synthesis and herbicidal activity of N-alkyl-N-(substituted benzyl)-4-halo-2-alkenamides

This paper reports the synthesis of novel N-alkyl-N-(substituted benzyl)-4- halo-2-alkenamides and their herbicidal activity against Echinochloa oryzic ola. Their herbicidal activity was observed to be light-dependent. The stud y on the structure-activity relationships revealed that 4-chloro-2-pentenoy l is the best as the acyl skeleton, and the combinations of either isobutyl or isopentyl and either 4-cyano- or 4-chlorobenzyl substituents on the ami de nitrogen atom are the most favorable to the activity.