Synthesis and Herbicidal Activities of Novel 3-N-Substituted Amino-6-methyl-4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)pyridazine Derivatives

4-(3-Trifluoromethylphenyl)pyridazine is a new series of compounds with bleaching and herbicidal activities. Starting from ethyl 2-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)acetate, an important intermediate 7 was synthesized in five steps with a moderate total yield of 51.5% in a safe and practical way. Twenty-six novel 3-N-substituted amino-6-methyl-4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)pyridazine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated through a Spirodela polyrrhiza test and greenhouse test. Some compounds can completely inhibit Chl at 1 microg/mL and exhibit equal or higher herbicidal activities with the commercial bleaching herbicide diflufenican against dicotyledonous plants at a rate of 75 g/ha.