Synthesis and herbicidal activity of indanofan and related 2-(2-phenyloxiran-2-ylmethyl)indan-1,3-dione derivatives

In the course of our studies on compounds having 2-aryl substituted oxiran- 2-ylmethyl structure, we found that compounds with indan-1,3-dione moiety s howed potent herbicidal activity against mainly gramineous weeds in paddy f ield and upland field. As a result of elaborate study, we found indanofan; 2- [2-(3-chlorophenyl)oxiran-2-ylmethyl] -2-ethylindan-1,3-dione that contr olled Echinochloa oryzicola at the rate of 0.10-0.15 kg a.i./ha with excell ent selectivity to transplanted rice plant. Indanofan was registered in 199 9 as a herbicide for transplanted rice.