Highly Fluorinated 2,2′-Biphenols and Related Compounds: Relationship between Substitution Pattern and Herbicidal Activity

A broad range of halogenated 2,2'-biphenols was tested for applicability as crop protection agents. The activity of these compounds toward four typical pest plants was observed after application by spraying of diluted solutions. Despite their rather simple structure, it was found that the studied compounds reveal a surprisingly high herbicidal impact. To gain a better understanding of the structure-activity relationship, specific sites of the molecule were chemically modified and the core structures thus gradually changed. The influence of the substitution pattern on the herbicidal properties is discussed, and conclusions on the active site of the biphenol structure are drawn. It was observ…