Insecticidal compositions of 2-cyanobenzene sulfonamide compounds and isomeric forms thereof having improved effect

The invention relates to the improvement of the action of pesticides, in particular of 2-cyanobenzenesulfonamide compounds of the formula (I), isomeric forms thereof (I-A) and (I-B), in which the variables R 1 to R 5 are defined as in claim 2 , and/or agriculturally useful salts thereof through the addition of ammonium or phosphonium salts and optionally penetration enhancers, and the corresponding agents, processes for the production thereof and their use in plant protection, in particular as insecticides and/or acaricides. The present invention further relates to the use of compounds (I), (I-A) or (I-B) and/or salts thereof through the addition of ammonium or phosphonium salts for the control of animal pests, agricultural compositions, which contain a pesticidally effective quantity of at least one compound of the general formula I, (I-A) or (I-B) and/or of at least one agriculturally useful salt of I, (I-A) or (I-B) and of at least one inert liquid and/or solid agriculturally acceptable carrier and at least one penetration enhancer and/or ammonium or phosphonium salts, and a method for the control of animal pests, wherein the animal pests, their environment, their breeding grounds, their nutrition source, the plant, the seeds, the soil, the area, the substance or the environment in which the animal pests grow or can grow, or the substances, plants, seeds, soils, areas or spaces which are to be protected against infestation or contamination with the animals are treated with a pesticidally effective quantity of at least one 2-cyanobenzenesulfonamide compound of the general formula (I), (I-A) or (I-B) and/or at least one agriculturally acceptable salt thereof.

Animal pests destroy standing and harvested crops and attack wooden buildings and structures, as a result of which they cause major economic losses in food production and to property. Although a large number of pesticidal agents are known, there is still a demand for new agents for the control of animal pests, since the pests to be controlled can develop resistance to these agents. In particular, animal pests such as insects and spider mites are difficult to control effectively.

EP 0033984 describes substituted 2-cyanobenzenesulfonamide compounds with aphicidal activity. The benzenesulfonamide compounds preferably bear a fluorine atom or chlorine atom in the 3 position of the phenyl ring. Also known in WO 2005/035486 and WO 2006/056433 were 2-cyanobenzenesulfonamides with insecticidal action. Their use for soil and seed applications is described in WO2006/100271 and WO 2006/100288. In addition, isomeric forms of the 2-cyanobenzenesulfonamides and derivatives of the isomeric forms and their insecticidal action are also described in EP 86748, EP 110829, EP 133418, EP 138762, DE 3544436, EP 191734, EP 207891, JP 1989/319467 and JP 1990/006496. Further, 2-cyanobenzenesulfonamides are described in WO 2007/060220 and WO 2008/031712. Reference is hereby expressly made to these publications.

All the active substances contained in the agents according to the invention are already known and can be produced by processes described in the state of the art (see references cited above). Their pesticidal action is good, but not always completely satisfactory, particularly at low application doses and concentrations. There is therefore a need for an increase in the activity of the pesticides containing the compounds.

The target of the present invention are therefore agents and methods for the improvement of the activity of compounds of the general formula (I), (I-A) and (I-B), in particular against insects and spider mites, which are difficult to control.

In the literature, it has already been stated that the action of various active substances can be increased by addition of ammonium salts. However, these are salts with detergent action (e.g. WO 95/017817) or salts with longer alkyl and/or aryl substituents which have a permeabilizing action or increase the solubility of the active substance (e.g. EP-A 0 453 086, EP-A 0 664 081, FR-A 2 600 494, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,844,734, 5,462,912, 5,538,937, U.S.-A 03/0224939, U.S.-A 05/0009880, U.S.-A 05/0096386). Further, the state of the art describes the action only for certain active substances and/or certain uses of the agents in question. In yet other cases, they are salts of sulfonic acids, with which the acids themselves have a paralyzing action on insects (U.S. Pat. No. 2,842,476). An increase in activity e.g. due to ammonium sulfate is for example described for the herbicides glyphosate and phosphinothricin (U.S. Pat. No. 6,645,914, EP-A2 0 036 106). A corresponding action with insecticides is neither disclosed nor rendered obvious by this state of the art.

The use of ammonium sulfate as a formulation additive is also described for certain active substances and uses (WO 92/16108), but there it serves for stabilization of the formulation, not for increasing the activity.

It has now entirely surprisingly been found that the action of insecticides and/or acaricides of the 2-cyanobenzenesulfonamide class (I) and isomeric forms thereof (I-A) and (I-B) can be markedly increased by the addition of ammonium or phosphonium salts to the application solution or through the incorporation of these salts into a formulation containing 2-cyanobenzenesulfonamides (I), and isomeric forms thereof (I-A) and (I-B). A subject of the present invention is thus the use of ammonium or phosphonium salts for increasing the action of pesticides that contain insecticidally and/or acarcidallly active 2-cyanobenzenesulfonamides (I) and isomeric forms thereof (I-A) and (I-B) as the active substance. Also a subject of the invention are agents which contain insecticidally active 2-cyanobenzenesulfonamides (I) and isomeric forms thereof (I-A) and (I-B) and ammonium or phosphonium salts increasing their action, namely both formulated active substances and also ready-for-use agents (sprays). Finally, a further subject of the invention is the use of these agents for the control of noxious insects and/or spider mites.

The 2-cyanobenzenesulfonamide compounds (I) and isomeric forms thereof (I-A) and (I-B) are described by the general formulae

in which

A stands for hydrogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl or C 2 -C 6 alkenyl R 1 stands for hydrogen, halogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 haloalkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy or C 1 -C 4 halo-alkoxy; R 2 stands for hydrogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 3 -C 8 cycloalkyl or C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, where the five last-named residues can be unsubstituted, partly or completely halogenated and/or can bear one, two or three residues from the group C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, C 1 -C 4 alkylthio, C 1 -C 4 alkylsulfinyl, C 1 -C 4 alkylsulfonyl, C 1 -C 4 haloalkoxy, C 1 -C 4 haloalkylthio, C 1 -C 4 alkylcarbonyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxycarbonyl, cyano, amino, (C 1 -C 4 alkyl)amino, di-(C 1 -C 4 alkyl)amino, C 3 -C 8 cycloalkyl and phenyl, wherein the phenyl can be unsubstituted, partly or completely halogenated and/or can bear one, two or three substituents from the group C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 haloalkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy or C 1 -C a haloalkoxy; R 3 , R 4 and R 5 mutually independently stand for hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 3 -C 8 cycloalkyl, C 1 -C 4 haloalkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, C 1 -C 4 alkylthio, C 1 -C 4 alkylsulfinyl, C 1 -C 4 alkylsulfonyl, C 1 -C 4 haloalkoxy, C 1 -C 4 haloalkylthio, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxycarbonyl, amino, (C 1 -C 4 alkyl)amino, di-(C 1 -C 4 alkyl)amino, aminocarbonyl, (C 1 -C 4 alkyl)aminocarbonyl and di-(C 1 -C 4 alkyl)aminocarbonyl.

Here compounds of the formula (I) in which A stands for hydrogen can optionally be present in the isomeric form (I-A); compounds of the formula (I) in which A and R 2 stand for hydrogen can optionally be present in the isomeric form (I-B).

The compounds of the formula (I) and isomeric forms thereof (I-A) and (I-B) have a broad insecticidal and/or acaricidal action, but in specific cases the action leaves something to be desired.

The active substances can be used in the compositions according to the invention in a broad concentration range. However, the concentration of the active substances in the formulation is usually 0.1-50 wt. %.

Ammonium and phosphonium salts which according to the invention increase the action of pesticides containing 2-cyanobenzenesulfonamides and isomeric forms thereof (I-A) and (I-B) are defined by formula (II)

in which

D stands for nitrogen or phosphorus, D preferably stands for nitrogen, R 6 , R 7 , R 8 and R 9 mutually independently stand for hydrogen or each for optionally substituted C 1 -C 8 alkyl or singly or multiply unsaturated, optionally substituted C 1 -C 8 alkylene, wherein the substituents can be selected from halogen, nitro and cyano, R 6 , R 7 , R 8 and R 9 preferably mutually independently stand for hydrogen or each stand for optionally substituted C 1 -C 4 alkyl, wherein the substituents can be selected from halogen, nitro and cyano, R 6 , R 7 , R 8 and R 9 particularly preferably mutually independently stand for hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, s-butyl or t-butyl, R 6 , R 7 , R 8 and R 9 quite especially preferably stand for hydrogen, n stands for 1, 2, 3 or 4, n preferably stands for 1 or 2, R 10 stands for an inorganic or organic anion, R 10 preferably stands for hydrogen carbonate, tetraborate, fluoride, bromide, iodide chloride, monohydrogen phosphate, dihydrogen phosphate, hydrogen sulfate, tartrate, sulfate, nitrate, thiosulfate, thiocyanate, formate, lactate, acetate, propionate, butyrate, pentanoate, citrate or oxalate, R 10 particularly preferably stands for lactate, sulfate, monohydrogen phosphate, dihydrogen phosphate, nitrate, thiosulfate, thiocyanate, citrate, oxalate or formate.

R 10 quite especially preferably stands for sulfate.

The ammonium and phosphonium salts of the formula (II) can be used over a broad concentration range for increasing the action of pesticides containing 2-cyanobenzenesulfonamides and/or isomeric forms thereof. In general, the ammonium or phosphonium salts are used in the ready-for-use pesticide at a concentration of 0.5 to 80 mmol/l, preferably 0.75 to 37.5 mmol/l, particularly preferably 1.5 to 25 mmol/l. In the case of a formulated product, the ammonium and/or phosphonium salt concentration in the formulation is selected so that after dilution of the formulation to the desired active substance concentration it lies in these stated general, preferred or particularly preferred ranges. The concentration of the salt in the formulation here is usually 1-50 wt. %.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, not only an ammonium and/or phosphonium salt, but also in addition a penetration enhancer, is added to the pesticides to increase the activity. It must be described as entirely surprising that even in these cases a still further increase in activity is to be observed. Hence also a subject of the present invention is the use of a combination of penetration enhancers and ammonium and/or phosphonium salts for increasing the activity of pesticides which contain acaricidally/insecticidally active 2-cyanobenzenesulfonamides and/or isomeric forms thereof (I-A) and (I-B) as the active substance. Also a subject of the invention are agents which contain insecticidally active 2-cyanobenzenesulfonamides and/or isomeric forms thereof (I-A) and (I-B), penetration enhancers and ammonium and/or phosphonium salts, namely both formulated active substances and also ready-for-use agents (sprays). Finally, also a subject of the invention is the use of these agents for the control of noxious insects.

Possible penetration enhancers in the present connection are all those substances which are normally used in order to improve the penetration of agrochemical active substances in plants. In this connection, penetration enhancers are defined by the fact that they penetrate from the aqueous spray and/or the spray deposit into the cuticle of the plant and thereby are able to increase the mobility of active substances in the cuticle. The method described in the literature (Baur et al., 1997 , Pesticide Science 51, 131-152) can be used for the determination of this property.

Possible penetration enhancers are for example alkanol alkoxylates. Penetration enhancers according to the invention are alkanol alkoxylates of the formula

in which

R stands for linear or branched alkyl with 4 to 20 carbon atoms, R′ stands for hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, n-pentyl or n-hexyl, AO stands for an ethylene oxide residue, a propylene oxide residue, a butylene oxide residue or for mixtures of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide residues or butylene oxide residues and v stands for numbers from 2 to 30.

A preferred group of penetration enhancers are alkanol alkoxylates of the formula

R—O-(-EO—) n —R′  (III-a)

in which

R has the aforesaid meaning, R′ has the aforesaid meaning, EO stands for —CH 2 —C 2 —O— and n stands for numbers from 2 to 20.

A further preferred group of penetration enhancers are alkanol alkoxylates of the formula

R—O-(-EO—) p —(—PO—) q —R′  (III-b)

in which

R has the aforesaid meaning, R′ has the aforesaid meaning, EO stands for —CH 2 —CH 2 —O—, PO stands for

p stands for numbers from 1 to 10 and

q stands for numbers from 1 to 10.

A further preferred group of penetration enhancers are alkanol alkoxylates of the formula

R—O—(—PO-) r -(EO—) s —R′  (III-c)

in which

R has the aforesaid meaning, R′ has the aforesaid meaning, EO stands for —CH 2 —CH 2 —O—, PO stands for

r stands for numbers from 1 to 10 and

s stands for numbers from 1 to 10.

A further preferred group of penetration enhancers are alkanol alkoxylates of the formula

R—O-(-EO—) p —(—BO—) q —R′  (III-d)

in which

R and R′ have the aforesaid meanings, EO stands for CH 2 —CH 2 —O—, BO stands for

p stands for numbers from 1 to 10 and

q stands for numbers from 1 to 10.

A further preferred group of penetration enhancers are alkanol alkoxylates of the formula

R—O—(—BO-) r -(-EO—) s —R′  (III-e)

in which

R and R′ have the aforesaid meanings, BO stands for

EO stands for CH 2 —CH 2 —O—,

r stands for numbers from 1 to 10 and

s stands for numbers from 1 to 10.

A further preferred group of penetration enhancers are alkanol alkoxylates of the formula

CH 3 —(CH 2 ) t —CH 2 —O—(—CH 2 —CH 2 —O—) u —R′  (III-f)

in which

R′ has the aforesaid meaning, t stands for numbers from 8 to 13 and u stands for numbers from 6 to 17.

In the aforesaid formulae

R preferably stands for butyl, i-butyl, n-pentyl, i-pentyl, neopentyl, n-hexyl, i-hexyl, n-octyl, i-octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, nonyl, i-nonyl, decyl, n-dodecyl, i-dodecyl, lauryl, myristyl, i-tridecyl, trimethyl-nonyl, palmityl, stearyl or eicosyl.

As an example of an alkanol alkoxylate of the formula (III-c), 2-ethylhexyl alkoxylate of the formula

in which

EO stands for —CH 2 —CH 2 —O—, PO stands for

and

the numbers 8 and 6 are average values may be mentioned.

As an example of an alkanol alkoxylate of the formula (III-d), the formula

CH 3 —(CH 2 ) 10 —O-(-EO—) 6 —(—BO—) 2 —CH 3   (III-d-1)

in which

BO stands for CH 2 —CH 2 —O—, BO stands for

and

the numbers 10, 6 and 2 are average values, may be mentioned.

Particularly preferable alkanol alkoxylates of the formula (III-f) are compounds of this formula, in which

t stands for numbers from 9 to 12 and u for numbers from 7 to 9.

Quite especially preferably, alkanol alkoxylate of the formula (III-f-1)

CH 3 —(CH 2 ) t —CH 2 —O—(—CH 2 —CH 2 —O—) u —R′  (III-f-1)

in which

t stands for the average value 10.5 and u stands for the average value 8.4 may be mentioned.

The alkanol alkoxylates are generally defined by the above formulae. These substances are mixtures of substances of the stated type with different chain lengths. Average values, which can also deviate from whole numbers, are therefore calculated for the indices.

The alkanol alkoxylates of the stated formulae are known and some are commercially available or can be produced by known methods (see. WO 98/35 553, WO 00/35 278 and EP-A 0 681 865).

Also possible as penetration enhancers are for example substances which promote the solubility of the compounds of the formula (I) in the spray deposit. These for example include mineral or vegetable oils. Possible oils are all mineral or vegetable—optionally modified—oils normally usable in agrochemical agents. By way of example, sunflower oil, rape oil, olive oil, castor oil, turnip oil, corn seed oil, cottonseed oil and soybean oil or the esters of said oils may be mentioned. Rape oil, sunflower oil and the methyl or ethyl esters thereof are preferred.

The concentration of penetration enhancers in the agents according to the invention can be varied over a wide range. In a formulated pesticide, it is generally about 1 to 95 wt. %, preferably about 1 to 55 wt. %, particularly preferably about 15-40 wt. %. In the ready-to-use agents (sprays), the concentrations generally lie between 0.1 and 10 g/l, preferably between 0.5 and 5 g/l.

Combinations of active substance, salt and penetration enhancer emphasized according to the invention are set out in the following table. Here “as per test” means that any compound which acts as a penetration enhancer in the test for cuticle penetration (Baur et al., 1997 , Pesticide Science 51, 131-152) is suitable.

Pesticides according to the invention can also contain other components, for example surfactants or dispersion aids or emulsifiers.

As nonionic surfactants or dispersion aids, all substances of this type normally usable in agro-chemical agents are possible. Preferably, polyethylene oxide polypropylene oxide block copolymers, polyethylene glycol ethers of linear alcohols, reaction products of fatty acids with ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide, and also polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, mixed polymerization products from polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinylpyrrolidone and copolymers of (meth)acrylic acid and (meth)acrylate esters, and also alkyl ethoxylates and alkylaryl ethoxylates, which can optionally be phosphated and optionally be neutralized with bases, may be mentioned, sorbitol ethoxylates being mentioned by way of example, and polyoxyalkylenamine derivatives.

As anionic surfactants, all substances of this type normally usable in agrochemical agents are possible. Alkali metal and alkaline earth metal salts of alkylsulfonic acids or alkylarylsulfonic acids are preferred.

A further preferred group of anionic surfactants or dispersion aids are poorly soluble in plant oil salts of polystyrenesulfonic acids, salts of polyvinylsulfonic acids, salts of naphthalenesulfonic acid-formaldehyde condensation products, salts of condensation products from naphthalenesulfonic acid, phenolsulfonic acid and formaldehyde and salts of ligninsulfonic acid.

Possible additives which can be contained in the formulations according to the invention are emulsifiers, foam suppressants, preservatives, antioxidants, colorants and inert fillers.

Preferred emulsifiers are ethoxylated alkylphenols, reaction products of alkylphenols with ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide, ethoxylated arylalkylphenols, and also ethoxylated and propoxylated arylalkylphenols, and sulfated or phosphated arylalkyl ethoxylates or ethoxy-propoxylates, and sorbitan derivatives such as polyethylene oxide-sorbitan fatty acid esters and sorbitan fatty acid esters may be mentioned by way of example.

The following examples serve to illustrate the invention and should in no way be interpreted as limiting.

The compounds of the general formula (I) and (I-A) can have one or more chiral centers in the substituents A, R 1 to R 5 , and are then present as mixtures of enantiomers or diastereomers. The present invention provides both the pure enantiomers or diastereomers and also mixtures thereof.

Salts of the compounds of the formula (I), (I-A) or (I-B) which are suitable for the use according to the invention are in particular agriculturally acceptable salts. These can be formed in standard ways, e.g. by reacting the compound with an acid of the anion in question.

Suitable agriculturally useful salts are in particular the salts of those cations or the acid addition salts of those acids, the cations or anions whereof have no adverse effects on the action of the compounds according to the invention which are suitable for the control of noxious insects or arachnids. Suitable cations are thus in particular the ions of the alkali metals, preferably lithium, sodium and potassium, the alkaline earth metals, preferably calcium, magnesium and barium, and the transition metals, preferably manganese, copper, zinc and iron, and the ammonium ion, which can if desired bear one to four C 1 -C 4 alkyl substituents and/or a phenyl or benzyl substituent, preferably diisopropylammonium, tetramethylammonium, tetrabutylammonium or trimethyl-benzylammonium, or also phosphonium ions, sulfonium ions, preferably tri(C 1 -C 4 alkyl)sulfonium and sulfoxonium ions, preferably tri(C 1 -C 4 alkyl)sulfoxonium.

Anions of useful acid addition salts are first and foremost chloride, bromide, fluoride, hydrogen sulfate, sulfate, dihydrogen phosphate, hydrogen phosphate, phosphate, nitrate, hydrogen carbonate, carbonate, hexafluorosilicate, hexafluorophosphate, benzoate and the anions of the C 1 -C 4 alkanoic acids, preferably formate, acetate, propionate and butyrate. These can be formed by reacting the compounds of the formulae Ia and Ib with an acid of the corresponding anion, preferably hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid or nitric acid.

The organic residues mentioned in the aforesaid definitions of the variables, like the term halogen, are collective terms for particular enumerations of particular group members. The prefix “C n -C m ” in each states the possible number of carbon atoms in the group.

In each case, the term halogen means fluorine, bromine, chlorine or iodine.

Examples of further meanings are:

In the present connection, the term “C 1 -C 4 alkyl” and the alkyl residues of alkylamino and dialkylamino mean a saturated linear or branched hydrocarbon residue with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, i.e. for example methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, butyl, 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl or 1,1-dimethylethyl.

In the present connection, the term “C 1 -C 6 alkyl” means a saturated linear or branched hydrocarbon residue with 1 to 6 carbon atoms, i.e. for example one of the residues which were mentioned under C 1 -C 4 alkyl, and n-pentyl, 1-methylbutyl, 2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, 1-ethylpropyl, n-hexyl, 1,1-dimethylpropyl, 1,2-dimethylpropyl, 1-methylpentyl, 2-methylpentyl, 3-methylpentyl, 4-methylpentyl, 1,1-dimethylbutyl, 1,2-dimethylbutyl, 1,3-dimethylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylbutyl, 2,3-dimethylbutyl, 3,3-dimethylbutyl, 1-ethylbutyl, 2-ethylbutyl, 1,1,2-trimethylpropyl, 1,2,2-trimethylpropyl, 1-ethyl-1-methylpropyl and 1-ethyl-2-methylpropyl.

In the present connection, the term “C 1 -C 4 haloalkyl” means a linear or saturated alkyl residue with 1 to 4 carbon atoms (as aforesaid), wherein some or all of the hydrogen atoms in these residues can be replaced by fluorine, chorine, bromine and/or iodine, i.e. for example chloromethyl, dichloromethyl, trichloromethyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chlorofluoromethyl, dichlorofluoromethyl, chlordifluoromethyl, 2-fluoroethyl, 2-chloroethyl, 2-bromoethyl, 2-iodoethyl, 2,2-difluoroethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, 2-chloro-2-fluoroethyl, 2-chloro-2,2-difluoroethyl, 2,2-dichloro-2-fluoroethyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethyl, pentafluoroethyl, 2-fluoropropyl, 3-fluoropropyl, 2,2-difluoropropyl, 2,3-difluoropropyl, 2-chloropropyl, 3-chloropropyl, 2,3-dichloropropyl, 2-bromopropyl, 3-bromopropyl, 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl, 3,3,3-trichloropropyl, 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl, heptafluoropropyl, 1-(fluoromethyl)-2-fluoroethyl, 1-(chloromethyl)-2-chloroethyl, 1-(bromomethyl)-2-bromoethyl, 4-fluorobutyl, 4-chlorobutyl, 4-bromobutyl or nonafluorobutyl.

In the present connection, the term “C 1 -C 2 fluoroalkyl” means a C 1 -C 2 alkyl residue which bears 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 fluorine atoms, for example difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, 1-fluoroethyl, 2-fluoroethyl, 2,2-difluoroethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl or pentafluoroethyl.

In the present connection, the term “C 1 -C 4 alkoxy” means a linear or branched saturated alkyl residue with 1 to 4 carbon atoms (as aforesaid), which is linked via an oxygen atom, i.e. for example methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, 1-methylethoxy, n-butoxy, 1-methylpropoxy, 2-methylpropoxy or 1,1-dimethylethoxy.

In the present connection, the term “C 1 -C 4 haloalkoxy” means a C 1 -C 4 alkoxy residue as aforesaid, which is partly or wholly substituted with fluorine, chlorine, bromine and/or iodine, i.e. for example chloromethoxy, dichloromethoxy, trichloromethoxy, fluoromethoxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, chlorofluoromethoxy, dichlorofluoromethoxy, chlorodifluoromethoxy, 2-fluoroethoxy, 2-chloroethoxy, 2-bromoethoxy, 2-iodoethoxy, 2,2-difluoroethoxy, 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy, 2-chloro-2-fluoroethoxy, 2-chloro-2,2-difluoroethoxy, 2,2-dichloro-2-fluoroethoxy, 2,2,2-trichloroethoxy, pentafluoroethoxy, 2-fluoropropoxy, 3-fluoropropoxy, 2,2-difluoropropoxy, 2,3-difluoropropoxy, 2-chloropropoxy, 3-chloropropoxy, 2,3-dichloropropoxy, 2-bromopropoxy, 3-bromo-propoxy, 3,3,3-trifluoropropoxy, 3,3,3-trichloropropoxy, 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropoxy, heptafluoropropoxy, 1-(fluoromethyl)-2-fluoroethoxy, 1-(chloromethyl)-2-chloroethoxy, 1-(bromomethyl)-2-bromoethoxy, 4-fluorobutoxy, 4-chlorobutoxy, 4-bromobutoxy or nonafluorobutoxy.

In the present connection, the term “C 1 -C 4 alkylthio(C 1 -C 4 alkylsulfanyl: C 1 -C 4 alkyl-S—)” means a linear or branched saturated alkyl residue with 1 to 4 carbon atoms (as aforesaid), which is linked via a sulfur atom, i.e. for example methylthio, ethylthio, n-propylthio, 1-methylethylthio, butylthio, 1-methylpropylthio, 2-methylpropylthio or 1,1-dimethylethylthio.

In the present connection, the term “C 1 -C 4 alkylsulfinyl” (C 1 -C 4 alkyl-S(═O)—) means a linear or branched saturated hydrocarbon residue with 1 to 4 carbon atoms (as aforesaid), which is linked via the sulfur atom of the sulfinyl group to any bond in the alkyl residue, i.e. for example SO—CH 3 , SO—C 2 H 5 , n-propylsulfinyl, 1-methylethylsulfinyl, n-butylsulfinyl, 1-methylpropylsulfinyl, 2-methylpropylsulfinyl, 1,1-dimethyl]ethylsulfinyl, n-pentylsulfinyl, 1-methylbutylsulfinyl, 2-methylbutylsulfinyl, 3-methylbutylsulfinyl, 1,1-dimethylpropylsulfinyl, 1,2-dimethylpropylsulfinyl, 2,2-dimethylpropylsulfinyl or 1-ethylpropylsulfinyl.

In the present connection, the term “C 1 -C 4 alkylsulfonyl” (C 1 -C 4 alkyl-S(═O) 2 —) means a linear or branched saturated alkyl residue with 1 to 4 carbon atoms (as aforesaid), which is linked via the sulfur atom of the sulfonyl group to any bond in the alkyl residue, i.e. for example SO 2 —CH 3 , SO 2 —C 2 H 5 , n-propylsulfonyl, SO 2 —CH(CH 3 ) 2 , n-butylsulfonyl, 1-methylpropylsulfonyl, 2-methylpropylsulfonyl or SO 2 —C(CH 3 ) 3 .

In the present connection, the term “C 1 -C 4 haloalkylthio” means a C 1 -C 4 alkylthio residue as aforesaid, which is partly or wholly substituted with fluorine, chlorine, bromine and/or iodine, i.e. for example fluoromethylthio, difluoromethylthio, trifluoromethylthio, chlorodifluoromethylthio, bromodifluoromethylthio, 2-fluoroethylthio, 2-chloroethylthio, 2-bromoethylthio, 2-iodoethylthio, 2,2-difluoroethylthio, 2,2,2-trifluoroethylthio, 2,2,2-trichloroethylthio, 2-chloro-2-fluoroethylthio, 2-chloro-2,2-difluoroethylthio, 2,2-dichloro-2-fluoroethylthio, pentafluoroethylthio, 2-fluoropropylthio, 3-fluoropropylthio, 2-chloropropylthio, 3-chloropropylthio, 2-bromopropylthio, 3-bromopropylthio, 2,2-difluoropropylthio, 2,3-difluoropropylthio, 2,3-dichloropropylthio, 3,3,3-trifluoropropylthio, 3,3,3-trichloropropylthio, 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropylthio, heptafluoropropylthio, 1-(fluoromethyl)-2-fluoroethylthio, 1-(chloromethyl)-2-chloroethylthio, 1-(bromomethyl)-2-bromoethylthio, 4-fluorobutylthio, 4-chlorobutylthio, 4-bromobutylthio or nonafluorobutylthio.

In the present connection, the term “C 1 -C 4 alkoxycarbonyl” means a linear or branched saturated alkoxy residue with 1 to 4 carbon atoms (as aforesaid), which is linked via the carbon atom of the carbonyl group, i.e. for example methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, n-propoxycarbonyl, 1-methyl-ethoxycarbonyl, n-butoxycarbonyl, 1-methylpropoxycarbonyl, 2-methylpropoxycarbonyl or 1,1-dimethylethoxycarbonyl.

In the present connection, the term “C 1 -C 4 alkylcarbonyl” means a linear or branched saturated alkyl residue with 1 to 4 carbon atoms (as aforesaid), which is linked via the carbon atom of the carbonyl group, i.e. for example methylcarbonyl, ethylcarbonyl, n-propylcarbonyl, 1-methylethylcarbonyl, n-butylcarbonyl, 1-methylpropylcarbonyl, 2-methylpropylcarbonyl or 1,1-dimethylethylcarbonyl.

In the present connection, the term “(C 1 -C 4 alkylamino)carbonyl” for example means methylaminocarbonyl, ethylaminocarbonyl, propylaminocarbonyl, 1-methylethylaminocarbonyl, butylaminocarbonyl, 1-methylpropylaminocarbonyl, 2-methylpropylaminocarbonyl or 1,1-dimethylethylaminocarbonyl.

In the present connection, the term “Di-(C 1 -C 4 alkyl)aminocarbonyl” for example means N,N-dimethylaminocarbonyl, N,N-diethylaminocarbonyl, N,N-di-(1-methylethyl)aminocarbonyl, N,N-dipropylaminocarbonyl, N,N-butylaminocarbonyl, N,N-di-(1-methylpropyl)aminocarbonyl, N,N-di(2-methylpropyl)aminocarbonyl, N,N-di-(1,1-dimethylethyl)aminocarbonyl, N-ethyl-N-methylaminocarbonyl, N-methyl-N-propylaminocarbonyl, N-methyl-N-(1-methylethyl)aminocarbonyl, N-butyl-N-methylaminocarbonyl, N-methyl-N-(1-methylpropyl)aminocarbonyl, N-methyl-N-(2-methylpropyl)aminocarbonyl, N-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-N-methylaminocarbonyl, N-ethyl-N-propylaminocarbonyl, N-ethyl-N-(1-methylethyl)aminocarbonyl, N-butyl-N-ethylaminocarbonyl, N-ethyl-N-(1-methylpropyl)aminocarbonyl, N-ethyl-N-(2-methylpropyl)aminocarbonyl, N-ethyl-N-(1,1-dimethylethyl)aminocarbonyl, N-(1-methylethyl)-N-propylaminocarbonyl, N-butyl-N-propylaminocarbonyl, N-(1-methylpropyl)-N-propylaminocarbonyl, N-(2-methylpropyl)-N-propylaminocarbonyl, N-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-N-propylaminocarbonyl, N-butyl-N-(1-methylethyl)aminocarbonyl, N-(1-methylethyl)-N-(1-methylpropyl)aminocarbonyl, N-(1-methylethyl)-N-(2-methylpropyl)aminocarbonyl, N-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-N-(1-methylethyl)-aminocarbonyl, N-butyl-N-(1-methylpropyl)aminocarbonyl, N-butyl-N-(2-methylpropyl)amino-carbonyl, N-butyl-N-(1,1-dimethylethyl)aminocarbonyl, N-(1-methylpropyl)-N-(2-methylpropyl)-aminocarbonyl, N-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-N-(1-methylpropyl)aminocarbonyl or N-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-N-(2-methylpropyl)aminocarbonyl.

In the present connection, the term “C 2 -C 6 alkenyl” means a linear or branched singly unsaturated hydrocarbon residue with 2 to 6 carbon atoms and a double bond in any position, i.e. for example ethenyl, 1-propenyl, 2-propenyl, 1-methyl-ethenyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 1-methyl-1-propenyl, 2-methyl-1-propenyl, 1-methyl-2-propenyl, 2-methyl-2-propenyl, 1-pentenyl, 2-pentenyl, 3-pentenyl, 4-pentenyl, 1-methyl-1-butenyl, 2-methyl-1-butenyl, 3-methyl-1-butenyl, 1-methyl-2-butenyl, 2-methyl-2-butenyl, 3-methyl-2-butenyl, 1-methyl-3-butenyl, 2-methyl-3-butenyl, 3-methyl-3-butenyl, 1,1-dimethyl-2-propenyl, 1,2-dimethyl-1-propenyl, 1,2-dimethyl-2-propenyl, 1-ethyl-1-propenyl, 1-ethyl-2-propenyl, 1-hexenyl, 2-hexenyl, 3-hexenyl, 4-hexenyl, 5-hexenyl, 1-methyl-1-pentenyl, 2-methyl-1-pentenyl, 3-methyl-1-pentenyl, 4-methyl-1-pentenyl, 1-methyl-2-pentenyl, 2-methyl-2-pentenyl, 3-methyl-2-pentenyl, 4-methyl-2-pentenyl, 1-methyl-3-pentenyl, 2-methyl-3-pentenyl, 3-methyl-3-pentenyl, 4-methyl-3-pentenyl, 1-methyl-4-pentenyl, 2-methyl-4-pentenyl, 3-methyl-4-pentenyl, 4-methyl-4-pentenyl, 1,1-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 1,1-dimethyl-3-butenyl, 1,2-dimethyl-1-butenyl, 1,2-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 1,2-dimethyl-3-butenyl, 1,3-dimethyl-1-butenyl, 1,3-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 1,3-dimethyl-3-butenyl, 2,2-dimethyl-3-butenyl, 2,3-dimethyl-1-butenyl, 2,3-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 2,3-dimethyl-3-butenyl, 3,3-dimethyl-1-butenyl, 3,3-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 1-ethyl-1-butenyl, 1-ethyl-2-butenyl, 1-ethyl-3-butenyl, 2-ethyl-1-butenyl, 2-ethyl-2-butenyl, 2-ethyl-3-butenyl, 1,1,2-trimethyl-2-propenyl, 1-ethyl-1-methyl-2-propenyl, 1-ethyl-2-methyl-1-propenyl and 1-ethyl-2-methyl-2-propenyl.

In the present connection, the term “C 2 -C 6 alkynyl” means a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon residue which contains a C—C triple bond and has 2 to 6 carbon atoms: for example ethynyl, prop-1-yn-1-yl, prop-2-yn-1-yl, n-but-1-yn-1-yl, n-but-1-yn-3-yl, n-but-1-yn-4-yl, n-but-2-yn-1-yl, n-pent-1-yn-1-yl, n-pent-1-yn-3-yl, n-pent-1-yn-4-yl, n-pent-1-yn-5-yl, n-pent-2-yn-1-yl, n-pent-2-yn-4-yl, n-pent-2-yn-5-yl, 3-methylbut-1-yn-3-yl, 3-methylbut-1-yn-4-yl, n-hex-1-yn-1-yl, n-hex-1-yn-3-yl, n-hex-1-yn-4-yl, n-hex-1-yn-5-yl, n-hex-1-yn-6-yl, n-hex-2-yn-1-yl, n-hex-2-yn-4-yl, n-hex-2-yn-5-yl, n-hex-2-yn-6-yl, n-hex-3-yn-1-yl, n-hex-3-yn-2-yl, 3-methylpent-1-yn-1-yl, 3-methylpent-1-yn-3-yl, 3-methylpent-1-yn-4-yl, 3-methylpent-1-yn-5-yl, 4-methylpent-1-yn-1-yl, 4-methylpent-2-yn-4-yl or 4-methylpent-2-yn-5-yl and the like.

In the present connection, the term “C 3 -C 8 cycloalkyl” means a mononuclear hydrocarbon residue with 3 to 8 carbon atoms, for example cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl or cyclooctyl.

Among the 2-cyanobenzenesulfonamide compounds of the general formula (I), (I-A) and (I-B), those are preferred wherein the variables A, R 1 and R 2 mutually independently, but in particular in combination, have the meanings set out below:

A means hydrogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, in particular methyl or ethyl R 1 means hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C 1 -C 2 alkyl, in particular methyl, trifluoromethyl or C 1 -C 2 alkoxy, in particular methoxy; R 2 means hydrogen or a linear, cyclic or branched chain hydrocarbon residue with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, e.g. C 1 -C 4 alkyl, in particular methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, 1-methylethyl, cyclopropyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy-C 1 -C 4 alkyl, in particular 2-methoxyethyl, C 1 -C 4 alkylthio-C 1 -C 4 alkyl, in particular 2-methylthioethyl or C 2 -C 4 alkynyl, in particular prop-2-yn-1-yl (propargyl). Most strongly preferred are compounds I in which A stands for hydrogen and R 2 is from the range methyl, ethyl, 1-methylethyl and prop-2-yn-1-yl.

Also preferred are those 2-cyanobenzenesulfonamide compounds of the general formula (I), (I-A) and (I-B) in which R 1 means C 1 -C 4 haloalkoxy, especially C 1 haloalkoxy, in particular trifluoromethoxy, difluoromethoxy or chlorodifluoromethoxy. In these compounds, A has the aforesaid meanings, preferably hydrogen, methyl or ethyl and R 2 the aforesaid meanings, preferably hydrogen or a linear, cyclic or branched chain hydrocarbon residue with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, e.g. C 1 -C 4 alkyl, especially methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, 1-methylethyl, cyclopropyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy-C 1 -C 4 alkyl, especially 2-methoxyethyl, C 1 -C 4 alkylthio-C 1 -C 4 alkyl, especially 2-methylthioethyl or C 2 -C 4 alkynyl, especially prop-2-yn-1-yl (propargyl). Most strongly preferred are compounds of the formula (I) and (I-A), in which A for hydrogen and R 2 is from the range methyl, ethyl, 1-methylethyl and prop-2-yn-1-yl.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to 2-cyanobenzenesulfonamide compounds of the general formula (I), (I-A) and (I-B) in which the variables A, R 1 and R 2 have the aforesaid meanings, in particular those meanings which are cited as preferred, and at least one of the residues R 3 , R 4 or R 5 differs from hydrogen, and preferably one or two of the residues R 3 , R 4 or R 5 mean hydrogen. Among these compounds, those compounds are preferred in which R 3 differs from hydrogen and preferably means halogen, in particular chlorine or fluorine, and the other residues R 4 and R 5 mean hydrogen.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to 2-cyanobenzenesulfonamide compounds of the general formula (I), (I-A) and (I-B), in which the variables A, R 1 and R 2 have the aforesaid meanings, in particular those meanings which are cited as preferred, and each of the residues R 3 , R 4 and R 5 means hydrogen.

Examples of preferred compounds according to the invention of the formula (I),

which can optionally be present in their isomeric formulae (I-A) and (I-B), include those compounds which are cited in the following tables A1 to A16, wherein A, R 3 , R 4 , R 5 are as defined in the tables, and R 1 and R 2 are cited in the rows of table A:

Table A1: compounds of the formula I wherein each of the residues A, R 3 , R 4 and R 5 means hydrogen and R 1 and R 2 are as defined in a row in table A. Table A2: compounds of the formula I wherein R 3 means chlorine, A, R 4 and R 5 mean hydrogen and R 1 and R 2 are as defined in a row in table A. Table A3: compounds of the formula I wherein R 3 means fluorine, A, R 4 and R 5 mean hydrogen and R 1 and R 2 are as defined in a row in table A. Table A4: compounds of the formula I wherein R 3 means bromine, A, R 4 and R 5 mean hydrogen and R 1 and R 2 are as defined in a row in table A. Table A5: compounds of the formula I wherein R 3 means iodine, A, R 4 and R 5 mean hydrogen and R 1 and R 2 are as defined in a row in table A. Table A6: compounds of the formula I wherein R 3 means CH 3 , A, R 4 and R 5 mean hydrogen and R 1 and R 2 are as defined in a row in table A. Table A7: compounds of the formula I wherein R 4 means chlorine, A, R 3 and R 5 mean hydrogen and R 1 and R 2 are as defined in a row in table A. Table A8: compounds of the formula I wherein R 4 means fluorine, A, R 3 and R 5 mean hydrogen and R 1 and R 2 are as defined in a row in table A. Table A9: compounds of the formula I wherein R 4 means bromine, A, R 3 and R 5 mean hydrogen and R 1 and R 2 are as defined in a row in table A. Table A10: compounds of the formula I wherein R 4 means iodine, A, R 3 and R 5 mean hydrogen and R 1 and R 2 are as defined in a row in table A. Table A11: compounds of the formula I wherein R 4 means CH 3 , A, R 3 and R 5 mean hydrogen and R 1 and R 2 are as defined in a row in table A. Table A12: compounds of the formula I wherein R 5 means chlorine, A, R 3 and R 4 mean hydrogen and R 1 and R 2 are as defined in a row in table A. Table A13: compounds of the formula I wherein R 5 means fluorine, A, R 3 and R 4 mean hydrogen and R 1 and R 2 are as defined in a row in table A. Table A14: compounds of the formula I wherein R 5 means bromine, A, R 3 and R 4 mean hydrogen and R 1 and R 2 are as defined in a row in table A. Table A15: compounds of the formula I wherein R 5 means iodine, A, R 3 and R 4 mean hydrogen and R 1 and R 2 are as defined in a row in table A.

Table A16: compounds of the formula I wherein R 5 means CH 3 , A, R 3 and R 4 mean hydrogen and R 1 and R 2 are as defined in a row in table A.

The following compounds of the formula (I), which can optionally be present in their isomeric formulae (I-A) and (I-B), are explicitly known from the publications cited at the start,

wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 5 have the meaning stated in table B and R 4 and A mean hydrogen.

Furthermore, the following compounds of the formula (I) are explicitly known from the publications cited at the start,

where A, R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 5 have the meaning stated in table C and R 4 means hydrogen.

Some of the compounds set out in table B and C are characterized by 1 H NMR or by LC-MS. The results are set out in WO 2005/035486 and WO 2006/056433. Reference is hereby expressly made to the content of these publications.

Further, the following compound of the formula (I-226) and isomeric forms thereof 1-226-A and 1-226-B are explicitly known from the publications cited at the start,

Examples 225 and 42-A are characterized by 1 H NMR. The signals are defined by a chemical shift (in ppm) relative to tetramethylsilane, by their multiplicity and their integral, the number of hydrogen atoms corresponding thereto being stated in the brackets in each case. Here m means multiplet, t triplet, d doublet and s singlet. The results are set out below:

EX. 225

1 H-NMR (400 mHz, d 6 -DMSO: δ=2.77 ppm (s, 3H, NCH 3 ); 3.82-3.81 ppm (d, 2H, N—CH 2 ); 4.00 ppm (s, 3H, OCH 3 ); 5.19-5.27 ppm (m, 2H, CH═CH 2 ); 5.68-5.78 ppm (m, 1H, CH═CH 2 ); 7.56-7.58 ppm (2H, CH); 7.83-7.87 ppm (1H, CH).

EX. 42-A

1 H-NMR (400 mHz, d 6 -DMSO: δ=9.20 ppm (1H, ═NH); 7.91-7.88 (1H, CH); 7.73-7.71 ppm (1H, CH); 7.61-7.60 (1H, CH); 4.52 ppm (2H, N—CH 2 ); 4.07 ppm (3H, O—CH 3 ); 3.28 ppm (t, 1H, C≡CH).

Activity Increase Due to Ammonium Salts

Myzus persicae —Test (MYZUPE)

For the preparation of a suitable active substance preparation, 1 part by weight of active substance is mixed with the stated quantities of solvent and emulsifier and the concentrate is diluted to the desired concentration with emulsifier-containing water. When addition of ammonium salts is necessary, these are in each case pipetted into the finished preparation solution in a concentration of 1000 ppm after dilution.

Paprika plants ( Capsicum annuum ) which are severely infested by the green peach aphid ( Myzus persicae ) are treated by spraying with the active substance preparation in the desired concentration.

After the desired time, the kill rate in % is determined. Here 100% means that all the animals were killed; 0% means that no animals were killed.

Activity Increase Due to Ammonium Salts

Aphis gossypii -Test (APHIGO)

For the preparation of a suitable active substance preparation, 1 part by weight of active substance is mixed with the stated quantities of solvent and emulsifier and the concentrate is diluted to the desired concentration with emulsifier-containing water. When addition of ammonium salts is necessary, these are in each case pipetted into the finished preparation solution in a concentration of 1000 ppm after dilution.

Cotton leaves ( Gossypium hirsutum ) which are severely infested with the cotton aphid ( Aphis gossypii ) are sprayed with an active substance preparation with the desired concentration.

After the desired time, the kill rate in % is determined. Here 100% means that all the aphids were killed; 0% means that no aphids were killed.

Activity Increase Due to Ammonium Salts in Combination with Penetration Enhancers

Myzus persicae —Test (MYZUPE)

For the preparation of a suitable active substance preparation, 1 part by weight of active substance is mixed with the stated quantities of solvent and emulsifier and the concentrate is diluted to the desired concentration with emulsifier-containing water. When addition of ammonium salts, penetration enhancers or ammonium salts and penetration enhancers is necessary, these are in each case pipetted into the finished preparation solution in a concentration of 1000 ppm after dilution.

Paprika plants ( Capsicum annuum ) which are severely infested with the green peach aphid ( Myzus persicae ) are treated by spraying with the active substance preparation in the desired concentration.

After the desired time, the kill rate in % is determined. Here 100% means that all the animals were killed; 0% means that no animals were killed.

Activity Increase Due to Ammonium Salts in Combination with Penetration Enhancers

Aphis gossypii -Test (APHIGO)

For the preparation of a suitable active substance preparation, 1 part by weight of active substance is mixed with the stated quantities of solvent and emulsifier and the concentrate is diluted to the desired concentration with emulsifier-containing water. When addition of ammonium salts, penetration enhancers or ammonium salts and penetration enhancers is necessary, these are in each case pipetted into the finished preparation solution in a concentration of 1000 ppm after dilution.

Cotton leaves ( Gossypium hirsutum ) which are severely infested with the cotton aphid ( Aphis gossypii ) are sprayed with an active substance preparation with the desired concentration.

After the desired time, the kill rate in % is determined. Here 100% means that all the aphids were killed; 0% means that no aphids were killed.

Activity Increase Due to Ammonium Salts

Tetranychus -Test (OP-Resistant)

For the preparation of a suitable active substance preparation, 1 part by weight of active substance is mixed with the stated quantities of solvent and emulsifier and the concentrate is diluted to the desired concentration with emulsifier-containing water. When addition of ammonium salts is necessary, these are in each case pipetted into the finished preparation solution in a concentration of 1000 ppm after dilution.

Bean plants ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) which are severely infested by all stages of the common spider mite ( Tetranychus urticae ) are treated by spraying with the active substance preparation in the desired concentration.

After the desired time, the kill rate in % is determined. here 100% means that all the spider mites were killed; 0% means that no spider mites were killed.

Activity Increase Due to Ammonium Salts in Combination with Penetration Enhancers

Tetranychus -Test (OP-Resistant)

For the preparation of a suitable active substance preparation, 1 part by weight of active substance is mixed with the stated quantities of solvent and emulsifier and the concentrate is diluted to the desired concentration with emulsifier-containing water. When addition of ammonium salts, penetration enhancers or ammonium salts and penetration enhancers is necessary, these are in each case pipetted into the finished preparation solution in a concentration of 1000 ppm after dilution.

Bean plants ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) which are severely infested by all stages of the common spider mite ( Tetranychus urticae ) are treated by spraying with the active substance preparation in the desired concentration.

After the desired time, the kill rate in % is determined. here 100% means that all the spider mites were killed; 0% means that no spider mites were killed.