A novel synthesis and herbicidal activity of fluorine-containing pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-one derivatives

The 6-(4-alkoxycarbonylalkoxy)phenoxy-3-alkylthio-5-(fluoro-substituted)phenyl-1-phenylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-ones 6 have been successfully synthesized via a tandem aza-Wittig and annulation reactions of the corresponding iminophosphorances 4, aromatic isocyanate, and substituted phenols 2 in 59–69% isolated yields using actonitrile as solvent. These novel compounds 6 could be oxidized to sulfones 7 by hydrogen peroxide in satisfactory yields (57–93%). Their structures were clearly verified by spectroscopic data (IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, MS, Elemental analysis or X-ray diffraction crystallography). The results of preliminary bioassay indicated that these compounds possess herbicidal activity against the root of rape and barnyard grass.