Synthesis and Biological Activity of α -Oxo-2-Pyridyl Methyl Phosphinates

In an attempt to discover novel compounds with high activity and low toxicity, a series of new O,O-dimethyl-α-(substituted phenoxyacetoxy)-2-pyridyl methyl phosphinates, 5a–5h, have been designed and synthesized by the reaction of substituted phenoxyacetic chloride with 1-hydroxy-2-pyridyl methyl phosphinate, The structures of all new compounds were characterized by elementary analysis, IR, 1H NMR, and MS spectroscopies. The results of preliminary bioassay indicate that most of the target compounds have excellent inhibitory activities on barnyard grass and rape.